despite growth and parameters, all SPS look brown.

[giants4pc]

I can't seem to figure it out. I run a 90 BB with 175 watt 15k Iwasaki bulbs supplemented by 2 96 watt actinic PC's. Water parameters are really good. Calc is 450 - alk is slightly high and mag is right on. I drip kalk at night and use Randy's two part nightly as well.
The growth is there. My frags ARE growing. However, everything looks brown. My green caps which have encrusted tremendously over a year are now starting to bleach out. The other frags are not bleaching, they are growing. However, the color is so brown and dull. Any ideas? It can't just be the bulbs???
Flow is good as well. I have a mag 7 for my return and 3 Koralia 4's. It definitely appears to be enough flow.

[ssavader]

I have two coral frags that i bought about three months ago. I have PE, but no growth and brown, despite everythng else looking and growing great. So I am perplexed as well. Can I tag along?

[giants4pc]

sure but we haven't received any feedback.

[rppvt]

do you have night time moonlights? LEDs? what about water changes? I'm wondering if any of these items could be factors--

[giants4pc]

I do have moonlights. I change 20 or so gallons biweekly. I know the water is stable (no fluctuations) and maintenance is great. Plus, it's bear bottom. There is some detritus on the bottom, but not enough to cause problems.

[Kshack]

I had problems with light colors with my bare bottom. I was not feeding much trying to keep nutrients down. I am feeding more and have more fish and things are looking much better. Also went with AA's.

[checkinhawk]

what are your nitrates at?what fish are in the system?i have a BB tank and feed heavy and skim heavy(nutrient in=fish food and poop/nutrient out=large skimmer)

[King-Kong]

Let's see some pics of the frags... also, have you sent in your water to a place like AWT to see where you stand with good quality test equipment?

If your corals are really pastel colored and your caps are bleaching, there is a good chance your tank is too clean.

[giants4pc]

I have a Euroreef RS 135. It skims wet and takes out a lot of junk. I do feed blender mush once a week or so. I have a pretty large bioload as well-10 fish, 2 of which are tangs (under 3").

[SDguy]

In my tank, when I had LOTS of fish and was feeding too heavily, my caps greyed out, and my acros turned brown. All "parameters" were still fine, and all acros still grew. Sounds the same as your problem. What's your fish load and mode of nutrient export?

[SDguy]

Originally posted by King-Kong
If your corals are really pastel colored and your caps are bleaching, there is a good chance your tank is too clean.

Title of the thread is SPS look brown

[JC VT]

What is your reading for Nitrates and Phosphates?

Got a pic of the tank?

[Wrench]

Well I had the same problems over the past few months and all my stuff is finally coloring up. I was going to suggest low Alk and Mg but it seems that you've got that under control. I would second the suggestion to have a sample sent to AWT just to verify your test procedures/equipment. One other thing I've noticed is that there is a direct correlation between my corals' colors and Nitrate levels. I've let my nitrate climb over the past month to 10-15ppm and corals colored up. Kinda scary, but I'm trying it based on some advice from some of my club members.

[chica83]

i'm not expert but i had sort of your problem.
i have a 37 gal tank with 175w 15k iwasaki , i do water changes every week and my corals still weren't coloring up (they were horribly brown).
i decided to make a frag rack and start moving up my corals...well so far my rainbow monti is starting to color up and my acro looks way better in color....so in a few may be you should try moving up your corals (may be one of your brown ones and see how it takes it), compare your water params with another friend and see what they get.......just a few ideas .

[King-Kong]

Originally posted by SDguy
Title of the thread is SPS look brown

Yeah but he said a light brown... really, we just need pix, and a layout of his water parameters to begin the process, otherwise it's too much speculation.

[King-Kong]

well, he said 'brown and dull'. If it's dark brown, with dark coloration, then yes -- too much nutrients, not enough light. Feed less / skim more / put your lights on for longer.

[Philwd]

Something to think about. In my frag tank when I found AEFW made it there too several corals had turned brown. After treating with Coral Revive they have colored back up in a week.

[Norwood IND]

Bleaching montis is usually a sign of low alk.
Has this been a slow process or sudden.

A pic would really help... And some numbers of your parameters would help...

[trueblackpercula]

How much nutrients are in your tank?
Michael

[deep6er]

Try moving some of your sps higher in the tank. And post some pics if you can.

[johnnybravo234]

Your water is probably "too clean". Try feeding the mush more often or try switching it up with some oyster eggs or something. Good luck

[IPT]

I seem to remember reading somewhere about people trying to increase Nitrates (not high, but just measureable). Seems like Wrench had a similar experience.

[ahchung]

BB does not imply zero NO3 and PO4. Without figures on NO3 and PO4 it is impossible to make a valid judgement.

[conorwynne]

Could be phosphates / nitrates issue.
please post some values for these and a photo would be useful too.

regards
Conor.

[MiddletonMark]

How tall is your 90"?

How many inches below the water surface are the corals [on average]?