My sps corals aren't colored up.

brownsalt92 · May 10, 2016

I have a 6 bulb the t5 setup crammed under my canopy but my superman table is green when It should be pink and blue.i have a Ora planet that is green and yellow. What should I do? I'd like some input thanks!!
I just switched back to reef crystals. I moved my tank one week ago to my new house I'm sure they are a little mad there. But they weren't colored up at my dad's house.
110 gal set up
78 degrees
8.1 ph
440 call
1350 mag
Alk is 8.0
Phos .08-0.16
No3 20

twilliard · May 10, 2016

For just switching salt and moving the tank I would give them time.

TwelveL16 · May 10, 2016

phos and nitrates are too high for one thing. Stability is key with getting good Acro colors. Give um some time they might come around.

WetWhistle · May 10, 2016

I agree with twilliard. Your parameters are in the good range so don't start making lots of adjustments or you will create problems. The only thing you could consider is changing a few bulbs for another spectrum. What bulb combo do you run? I myself would leave as is and give it time. It can take a few months for the sps to adjust.

brownsalt92 · May 10, 2016

I'll have to just let it be for a bit. I was using reef crystals for a long time I only did 20 gallons worth of water change with instant ocean. Don't like the change. Gave the boxes to my dad. I'm gonna start to do around a 2 gallon water change a day. I think it will be way better for the tank instead of a 10 gall a week maybe it didn't like the change. It will give me way more steady params. I don't have a apex to watch it all the time... in the future tho! As far as bulb goes I have a fixture from eBay bought in November. But I swapped the bulbs out after 2 months n January didn't like the color. I changed over to ATI bulbs 1 coral plus 2 blue plus and 3 of the white ones.. of only I remember the k on them

Chris Adams · May 10, 2016

any pics of your sps?

Sabellafella · May 10, 2016

Your not dosing iron or potassium right? Give them more light, both the superman and red planet turn green below 280-300 par

brownsalt92 · May 10, 2016

No I am not dosing iron or potassium. I will post pictures tommaro.

brownsalt92 · May 10, 2016

Also I am able to lower my t5 fixture a inch more should I do that?

Sabellafella · May 10, 2016

I wouldnt break my next if its just 2 corals your upset with, but yea i would. If you dont want to move the fixture down - i would remount the acros a couple inches higher

WetWhistle · May 11, 2016

Flip side if the corals are stressed because of the change and you increase the lighting you could bleach them all. For two corals that don't have the color you think they should it is not worth it. I would wait a few weeks at least before adjusting the lighting or anything else unless you absolutely need to. Or you can and will make your situation way worse. Being impatient with a reef tank causes more problems then you would have if you take things slow and think the problem out rationally. If the corals are showing PE and are healthy except for color it is best practice to leave it unless they get worse. It is defiantly the safest approach. With that being said if the color keeps getting worse then look at other options like increasing of lighting. People making changes when they should not is a huge contributor to tank issues and in my experience the reefer is one of the top causes for issues. I myself take the slow approach and rarely have issues because of it.

brownsalt92 · May 17, 2016

I've got my Alk stabilized at about 8.4
My ph at 8.2
My mag at 1350
Cal 450.
Just working on feeding less to get no3 and po4 down
Would a glass top that's on my tank make a big difference with light? Also I'd really like to test my par what should I use??

Triggreef · May 17, 2016

I disagree that the nutrients are too high. Not enough light is a strong possibility.

If you can get your hands on an apogee par meter it might tell quite a bit.

Personally I would try moving them up. If you move them up and they don't like it you'll know pretty quick. Lack of PE...

brownsalt92 · May 17, 2016

Once I know these numbers might it be wise to switch lights to a mh t5 combo?

brownsalt92 · May 17, 2016

Milwaukee Instruments Lux Light Meter, MW700 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003U2QTJQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_1K9oxbH01HX7W

Would this work

brownsalt92 · May 28, 2016

Alright here is a picture of my tank I used a milwalkee lux meter. I got some numbers today. The tank had glass lids. from the highest point of my rock to the light is about 13 inches and it's around 8 inchs to the top of water surface from rocks. it is a 6 bulb t5 light fixture with ATI bulbs in it. The lux meter isnon the x10 function The sand bed is 300. It is 480 right where my fox flame is. It is 540 at my tierra del fugo. The picture you can see better. I just corrected salt since my.refactometer was off it brought it from a 1.023 to a 1.0255 now. So all parameters are back on track. I hope to get some opinions on this thanks in advance. Also my fox flame hasn't had its green tips since thanks giving. :/ I hope it will come back soon it is encrusting like crazy tho