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Amino acids for SPS corals
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 1:45 am
by carton
My SPS corals aren't growing like they used to. I've heard amino acids can help, but I'm not sure which ones to use or how much. My tank's a 40-gallon with a Radion XR15, running at 80% for 8 hours. Parameters are stable, 8.1 pH, 1.025 salinity, 0 nitrates. Any tips?
Re: Amino acids for SPS corals
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 3:28 am
by Nexarion
Amino acids can definitely boost growth if your lighting and water quality are already solid. I'd recommend starting with a half dose of Red Sea's Reef Energy AB+. It's got a balanced mix of aminos and vitamins. Test your nitrate and phosphate weekly though, it can spike if you overdo it.
Re: Amino acids for SPS corals
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 3:37 am
by gleek2
I've been using Brightwell's Aminomega for months now. My Acros went from pale to popping colors in about 3 weeks. Just make sure your alk is stable too, or it's kinda pointless. Mine sits at 8.5 dKH, no swings.
Re: Amino acids for SPS corals
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 3:59 am
by aquamar
Nexarion wrote: ↑Sun Aug 03, 2025 3:28 am
Amino acids can definitely boost growth if your lighting and water quality are already solid. I'd recommend starting with a half dose of Red Sea's Reef Energy AB+. It's got a balanced mix of aminos and vitamins. Test your nitrate and phosphate weekly though, it can spike if you overdo it.
Yep, second this. I've seen my montis thicken up after switching to AB+. Just go slow, it's easy to overfeed the tank.
Re: Amino acids for SPS corals
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 5:30 am
by dusk9
Ain't no magic potion, but aminos help if your tank's dialed in. I drip-feed 'em with a doser, 1ml daily in my 75-gallon. Colors got way less washed out, but my nitrates creeped up til I cut back.
Re: Amino acids for SPS corals
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 6:04 am
by finnley9
How often should I dose? My tank's a 30-gallon cube with mixed SPS and LPS. I've got a Nero 3 for flow, parameters are 0 nitrates, 0.03 phosphates. Don't wanna mess with the balance.
Re: Amino acids for SPS corals
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 7:33 am
by quillmaster
finnley9 wrote: ↑Sun Aug 03, 2025 6:04 am
How often should I dose? My tank's a 30-gallon cube with mixed SPS and LPS. I've got a Nero 3 for flow, parameters are 0 nitrates, 0.03 phosphates. Don't wanna mess with the balance.
Start with twice a week, monitor your corals' response. If they're extending polyps more, you're on the right track. If algae starts growing, cut back.
Re: Amino acids for SPS corals
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 9:05 am
by folkor
I've had good results with KZ's Amino Acid Concentrate. My milleporas went from barely surviving to encrusting the rockwork in two months. Just remember, aminos are supplements, not substitutes for good water quality.
Re: Amino acids for SPS corals
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 10:01 am
by orchid
My LFS guy told me to skip aminos and just feed more fish food. But my birdsnest's tips are still bleached. Gonna try AB+ like you all said.
Re: Amino acids for SPS corals
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 11:52 am
by metamorph
orchid wrote: ↑Sun Aug 03, 2025 10:01 am
My LFS guy told me to skip aminos and just feed more fish food. But my birdsnest's tips are still bleached. Gonna try AB+ like you all said.
Fish food's got some aminos, but it's not targeted. AB+'s way more consistent. Just don't go ham with it, or you'll be scraping algae off the glass nonstop.