![]() Zeo Sponge Power, which can be used in any system, feeds sponges. I have also had good result from biological filters such as using cryptic zones, which produce seasquirts, sponges and other filter feeding animals. Probably one of the hardest coloration of all acroporas from my experience since it is a combination of several variables.įirst and foremost is water clarity, which means Carbon and/or filter socks. And overdose can lead to tip burning so don’t mistake tip burn for new growth. A major potassium deficiency is seen when tissue is lost, mostly starting from the base opposed to spotting (patchy look). Other indicators of potassium deficiency is when the pinks turn into a light brown and when acroporas loose their color and get lighter and pale. Polyps are completely withdrawn and colors are light. Indicators on Stys and Pocs are when they look like they have been exposed to air. Supplementing is required when Montiporas display slower growth and appear washed out to grey appearance. If you are using a high potassium salt mix such as Oceanic, Tropical Marine Pro and you are doing regular water changes, you are more than likely not going to need to supplement this much.įor dosing you can use your monitporas, especially caps as indicators. ![]() The supplement is Potassium (not potassium iodide). Primarily for coloring reds and pinks in Montiporas, Pocilloporas, Birdsnest, other Stys and Seriatoporas. Again, using yellow corals as indicators, stop dosing when yellow corals display a green shimmer. Dosing should be done when blue colors become less intense. The supplement for this is Potassium Iodide Concentrate or Lugol’s solution, ESV Potassium Iodide Concentrate will also work don’t just get something that says Potassium because that is a little different. ![]() This is mainly for blues but I have found is can also have an effect on purples. Another sign of overdosing is Algae growth, stop immediately and possibly do a water change if necessary. ![]() Please note, a sign of overdosing is a darkening of tissue, when this happens you have added too much iron or too much iron is being added. I start off by dosing Iron at about 1 drop per 50 US/Gallons twice a week and take note of what happens, color changes, Algae growth, until my yellow acroporas display a green shimmer (it wont be a solid green but a shimmer of a green/yellow). You’ll notice a deficiency if your greens are brown color or they are paling in color. You must be very careful with Iron because it is also an Algae accelerator this is why it is so important for you to get your yellows colors first (your N and P will be lowered).Īdditionally, I use my yellows as indicators for my greens and blues. Most green coloration can be achieved through the addition of an Iron Concentrate (Kents is what I use, however Iron is Iron). Greens would be the next easiest color to tweak. If you can get it to say yellow for several months, you should be ready for something else. Basically, if you want to do SPS, I would suggest starting with an acropora that is yellow. Nitrate and/or PO4 reduction is most important, either through technical means such as nitrate/phosphate reducers or biologically through DSB, Carbon dosing and/or water changes and fuges. Yellows are sort of your baseline yellows will tell you a lot about what is going on in your tank, what is needed and what is overdosed. Of course all SPS colors are highly dependent on lack of N and P so I wanted to start with probably the easiest color to get, yellow. Highly dependent on Nitrate and PO4 levels. Please note: I am assuming that you meet the minimum suggested standards to keeping SPS strong lighting, calcium at the appropriate levels, strong skimming and live rock. I think I finally have a basic map for those who are interested. I have done my own testing as well as seen a lot of others tanks and what they have done to achieve certain colors. Usually I am asked, How do you get good colors? Which I then ask, What specific color are you looking to enhance? Over the past several months I have really worked on tweaking colors and what is needed to get certain colors. In the past I have been asked a lot about coral colorization as well as wanted to satisfy my own curiosity about specific methods to achieving certain colors. Click the read link to start reading about coloring in SPS corals. This assumes you have a more then basic understanding of water parameters in your tank. This was written by member Shadowramy and it explains specific ideas and strategies in which you can do to affect the color of your corals. This guide endeavors to assist you with the ever popular SPS coral.
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