maximizing Acropora coloration

[timberly]

My Acropora colors are kinda dull lately. Running a 75-gallon tank with Radion XR15s, dosing All-For-Reef, and keeping nitrates around 5 ppm. Any tips to make them pop more?

[DeepB23]

Yo, timberly, what's your lighting schedule like? I've had luck cranking up the blues and cutting whites to 10%. Also, check your mag levels, they're sketchy if they dip below 1300.

[lightrun]

Yo, timberly, what's your lighting schedule like? I've had luck cranking up the blues and cutting whites to 10%. Also, check your mag levels, they're sketchy if they dip below 1300.

Agreed on magnesium. I'd also test for potassium—low levels can mute colors. My Acros brightened up after dosing Potassium Iodide weekly.

[marjar]

Are you running carbon? Sometimes organics build up and tint the water, blocking light. A 20% water change plus fresh carbon might help. My system's similar, and that combo worked for me.

[onyxlab]

How old are your bulbs? XR15s lose intensity after 12–18 months. I swapped mine at 14 months and saw a huge difference in my Acropora's vibrancy.

[emblaze]

Are you running carbon? Sometimes organics build up and tint the water, blocking light. A 20% water change plus fresh carbon might help. My system's similar, and that combo worked for me.

Second this. Also, consider amino acids—they've boosted my coloration, especially with Acropora. I dose 2 mL daily in my 120-gallon.

[timberly]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. Gonna tweak my lights, test mag and potassium, and swap carbon. Appreciate it!

[Kazura]

What salt mix are you using? Some brands lack trace elements. I switched to Tropic Marin Pro and noticed better colors within weeks.

[oceanix]

Any fish picking at them? My angelfish was stressing my Acropora, and they looked washed out till I moved him. Just a thought.

[hikaru]

What salt mix are you using? Some brands lack trace elements. I switched to Tropic Marin Pro and noticed better colors within weeks.

Yeah, salt matters. I use Red Sea Blue Bucket and dose extra iron. My Acros went from meh to wow in two months.