High Alkalinity - Is that the Secret to More Colorful SPS?

[Batt]

Ok reading all this and I've got to say , a lot of wrong info here. Alk has nothing to do with color first of all and for growth it doesn't matter hi or low alk . Growth is achieved from less stress . In other words stable parameters if you can keep alk cal and mag steady all the time you will get fast growth. As for color your po4 are way to high, are your sps brown you would like to aim for 0.00 or 0.02 . Do you us a RODI if so whats your reading coming out your RODI filter it should read 0.00ppm

 

[that Reef Guy]

Ok reading all this and I've got to say , a lot of wrong info here. Alk has nothing to do with color first of all and for growth it doesn't matter hi or low alk . Growth is achieved from less stress . In other words stable parameters if you can keep alk cal and mag steady all the time you will get fast growth. As for color your po4 are way to high, are your sps brown you would like to aim for 0.00 or 0.02 . Do you us a RODI if so whats your reading coming out your RODI filter it should read 0.00ppm

I use RO Water.

I will have to test it as I have never tested that for Phospate.

But shouldn't all RO Water be 0.00 since it is Filtered?

 

[Batt]

I use RO Water.

I will have to test it as I have never tested that for Phospate.

But shouldn't all RO Water be 0.00 since it is Filtered?

Its called a TDS meter its will let you know if your Rodi is filtering the water like it should and will also let you know when its time to change filters . This is a must to have

 

[that Reef Guy]

Its called a TDS meter its will let you know if your Rodi is filtering the water like it should and will also let you know when its time to change filters . This is a must to have

Yes, I use a TDS Meter.

It tests for Total Dissolved Solids though which is everything.

Are you saying I should test the RO Water with a Phosphate Test too?

 

[Batt]

Yes, I use a TDS Meter.

It tests for Total Dissolved Solids though which is everything.

Are you saying I should test the RO Water with a Phosphate Test too?

Yes I want you to test for p.o.4 and what is you reading on your Tsd meter

 

[CUNAReefer]

Ok reading all this and I've got to say , a lot of wrong info here. Alk has nothing to do with color first of all and for growth it doesn't matter hi or low alk . Growth is achieved from less stress . In other words stable parameters if you can keep alk cal and mag steady all the time you will get fast growth. As for color your po4 are way to high, are your sps brown you would like to aim for 0.00 or 0.02 . Do you us a RODI if so whats your reading coming out your RODI filter it should read 0.00ppm

+1. Be careful with the .00 phosphate. Keeping your phosphate at this level for to long can result in tissue necrosis at the base of your SPS. If you bring your nutrients down as recommended above, alk above 8 - 8.5 will lead to burnt tips. Alk has no impact on color, although rapid swings have caused some browning IME. Low nutrients with stable params will have a positive impact on color. Good Luck, James

 

[Erikhsf]

I run my alkalinity between 9.5 and 10.5 and I have great color. I keep my calcium around 440-450 and my magnesium 1500-1600.

Your mag is 1500 to 1600 I thought I was high at 1400 ro 1450. Is this helping you with the color or just keeping your alk and cal where you would like it?

 

[Ryan Doolittle]

I have found temperature can play a role too. I have found better color keeping acros cooler. I see alot of people set their tank Temps high (79-80) and its great for growth. But I had best colors when I had a lower dkh (8-8.5) and the temperature of the aquarium set cooler (76-77).

 

[BeMoto]

Can we get some pictures of the corals? I'm having a similar proplem

 

[Superlightman]

Old post,but what happened when you increased it?