Can someone help me?

[jcampbell]

All of my parameters are in line. Salinity level at 1.024; ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite: 0; pH: 8.2; Phosphate: 0. I dose reef fusion 1&2, Tech M, and Fuel. For some reason my coral colors are really pale. I bought a zoanthid colony that had great colors and about a week and a half later it was visibly lighter in color. I don't understand! Am I not doing something right?

 

[rskillz]

What type of lighting do you run? What size tank is it?

 

[jcampbell]

Rskillz;746909 wrote: What type of lighting do you run? What size tank is it?

Its a 75 RR, And I run an aquatic life 4 bulb with 2 aquablue specials and 2 blue plus ATI lamps.

 

[jennm]

What's your temperature?

 

[jcampbell]

JennM;746920 wrote: What's your temperature?

It's at 76.5 currently.

 

[jennm]

Does it fluctuate?

 

[jcampbell]

JennM;746930 wrote: Does it fluctuate?

During the day it rises to 77, but that's about it.

 

[jennm]

Hmmm that shoots my theory...

 

[jcampbell]

JennM;746933 wrote: Hmmm that shoots my theory...

I'll keep an eye on it. I don't see it fluctuate until summer and I thought It had might been my salinity level(it was low a while back but I raised it up).

 

[dine]

how low was it and how fast did you raise it back up?

 

[spankdog]

Have you checked your alkalinity?

 

[jcampbell]

Dine;746936 wrote: how low was it and how fast did you raise it back up?

At one point it was at 1.021, I believe. I started raising it over the last 3 weeks.

Edit:

spankdog;746937 wrote: Have you checked your alkalinity?

I haven't lately, like I said I dose reef fusion, but I will check that in a second.

 

[dine]

that shoots down my theory also. the drop could have caused it and they may take some time to color back up but id say you brought it back to the right lvl in a reasonable amount of time.

id check alk, mg, and calcium if you havnt

 

[jimknutson]

+1 on alk.

 

[spike]

How far are the zoas from your light? The few years I had a 75 gallon with a T-5 I had a 6 bulb fixture.

 

[jcampbell]

The alkalinity was 3.5.
The zoanthids are at the bottom of the tank, but my favia and a few other corals are also pale.

 

[k3nnyp]

I'm fighting a low alkalinity in my 75 as well. Most obvious sign of a problem was my zoas started doing poorly and I started testing. Mine was 4-5. I got Seachem Reef Builder, recommended by Pure Reef after testing my water, and I'm dosing it trying to raise my KH. I'm taking it slowly but already am seeing a slight difference in my zoas and my acan is coloring up. Only a few days now.

I was dosing 2 part before that and my ca was 450 before I started seeking advice on my alkalinity.

BTW, I have an aquatic life 6 bulb t5 light but haven't seen a big difference from my previous 4 light t5 fixture.

 

[k3nnyp]

If you're like me and just learning this stuff I'd recommend taking a water sample to a respectable LFS and have it tested and let them consult.

If you're near Pure Reef I'd certainly recommend them.

 

[gareefer]

How old are the bulbs?

 

[jcampbell]

k3nnyP;746969 wrote: I'm fighting a low alkalinity in my 75 as well. Most obvious sign of a problem was my zoas started doing poorly and I started testing. Mine was 4-5. I got Seachem Reef Builder, recommended by Pure Reef after testing my water, and I'm dosing it trying to raise my KH. I'm taking it slowly but already am seeing a slight difference in my zoas and my acan is coloring up. Only a few days now.

I was dosing 2 part before that and my ca was 450 before I started seeking advice on my alkalinity.

BTW, I have an aquatic life 6 bulb t5 light but haven't seen a big difference from my previous 4 light t5 fixture.

I'm not so sure that alkalinity is the problem, its supposed to be 4-6 for aquariums(according to my seachem test kit).

Edit:

k3nnyP;746971 wrote: If you're like me and just learning this stuff I'd recommend taking a water sample to a respectable LFS and have it tested and let them consult.

If you're near Pure Reef I'd certainly recommend them.

I've been in the hobby now for 3 years, this problem has only been recently.

Edit:

GAreefer;746974 wrote: How old are the bulbs?

I just changed them 3 weeks ago.