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maximizing Acropora coloration
Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2025 6:08 pm
by 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?
Re: maximizing Acropora coloration
Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2025 6:28 pm
by 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.
Re: maximizing Acropora coloration
Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2025 7:25 pm
by lightrun
DeepB23 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 27, 2025 6:28 pm
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.
Re: maximizing Acropora coloration
Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2025 8:28 pm
by 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.
Re: maximizing Acropora coloration
Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2025 9:57 pm
by 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.
Re: maximizing Acropora coloration
Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2025 10:18 pm
by emblaze
marjar wrote: ↑Fri Jun 27, 2025 8:28 pm
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.
Re: maximizing Acropora coloration
Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2025 12:05 am
by timberly
Thanks for the advice, everyone. Gonna tweak my lights, test mag and potassium, and swap carbon. Appreciate it!
Re: maximizing Acropora coloration
Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2025 12:54 am
by Kazura
What salt mix are you using? Some brands lack trace elements. I switched to Tropic Marin Pro and noticed better colors within weeks.
Re: maximizing Acropora coloration
Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2025 2:47 am
by oceanix
Any fish picking at them? My angelfish was stressing my Acropora, and they looked washed out till I moved him. Just a thought.
Re: maximizing Acropora coloration
Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2025 4:31 am
by hikaru
Kazura wrote: ↑Sat Jun 28, 2025 12:54 am
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.