why are all my sps getting lighter?

[crvz]

Originally Posted by trueblackpercula

Leonardo
I thought you had a problem with you tank and thats why you started over? My bad sorry just thought I had read that some where. In any case is that it only a couple of tanks out there? Can you guys post an up to date Picture please?

Michael

Leonardo had acro-eating flatworms, but no problems with the bb setup. And I'm sure that there are plenty of tanks out there that have run successfully, but I don't know of any BB repository of pictures. You have to find them wherever they exist, just like 2+ year old established DSB tanks.

[trueblackpercula]

You have to find them wherever they exist, just like 2+ year old established DSB tanks.

Thats easy to find I was looking for tanks around here that are BB and over two years old can you point me in the correct direction?
Thanks
Michael

[crvz]

I read your first post on the RC thread (and only the first post, so forgive me if you cover these issues later on), and I've two quick thoughts about that. First, you've changed the ligths 5 times, but over how long? I've found that corals can take a long time to finally acclimate and really get comfortable with new lighting... often on the order of months. I'll have some corals that brown out quite a bit for 2-3 months, then all the sudden the color comes back and they start to grow quite quickly.

Also, your photoperiod is very long. If your corals are drab in color, I wouldnt be surprised if it's due to the 13 hours of VHO chased with 9 hours of MH. Now, if you want that much light, you're absolutely going to need a DSB to maintain coloration in stony corals. I've got seven 54W T5 bulbs, 3 of which come on for 7.5 hours a day and 4 of which are on for 4.5 hours a day. I've tried to stretch it longer, but the corals do not repsond well.

I'm not entirely certain what you're trying to find out or disprove about BB methodology. Reading back a little through this thread, I almost get the impression that you're looking for some specific formula for keeping a tank. That doesnt exist. Every tank is different, and there's going to be a balance you have to find between skimming, photoperiod, water changes, light intensity, feeding, water flow, etc. And it's a dynamic balance, ever changing, and you've got to know the signs and be ready to respond when it does. But because of this, it's not for everybody.

My tank's has been without sand for over 2 years, but as mentioned I've recently changed a number of things during an upgrade. I have a pretty short photo period, I keep calcium and alkalinity at pretty low ranges (370 and 8dkh respetively), and I've probably never had the success that I currently experience. I had a DSB for about 6 years before pulling it out.

[Leonardo's Reef]

I agree with Crvz.

Btw, here's a famous Japanese BB-tank that's running for more then 7 years:

http://www.zeovit.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4879

leonardo

[trueblackpercula]

Ok the results are back from AWT and I do not in any way agree with them. They are going to have to do some rendom testing becuase i know my magnisium is aroung 1600 thats for sure. Well in any case doeas anyone else feel that there results were off? Well here are the results and lets hope i can now get the help i need to get the tank back on track.
ANYONE GOT ADVICE ????????????
Thanks
Michael
Ammonia (NH3-4) ........................Good ......................................... 0.006
Nitrite (NO2)................................Good ......................................... 0.003
Nitrate (NO3)...............................Good .............................................0.3
Phosphate (PO4) ..........................Good ........................................... 0.09
Silica (SiO2-3) ............................. High.............................................. 2.5
Potassium (K) ...............................Low................ ............................. 276
Calcium (Ca)................................Good ............................................ 426
Boron (B) .....................................Low.......... ....................................1.7
Molybdenum (Mo)......................... High.............................................. 0.3
Strontium (Sr) .............................Good .............................................6.6
Magnesium (Mg) ...........................Low.................... ......................... 938
Iodine (I¯)...................................Good ........................................... 0.03
Copper (Cu++) ............................ High............................................ 0.04
Alkalinity (meq/L).........................Good ........................................... 2.88

[trueblackpercula]

you've changed the ligths 5 times, but over how long?

Over the course of a year and a half, but none os the first SPs made it past the vibro infection so most are newer and have only seen 2 bulb changes and the went from 10k 400 watt ushio to a 20k Xm 400 watt

Also, your photoperiod is very long.

I have adjusted to 10 hours for the actincs and 8 hours for the halides for starters

I'm not entirely certain what you're trying to find out or disprove about BB methodology. Reading back a little through this thread, I almost get the impression that you're looking for some specific formula for keeping a tank

I just thought it would be easier going Barebottom but i now now that there are rules and it is less forgiving. At know point can you skip a water change and detritus must me none existant or phospates will thrive. I have not given up on barebottom as i love the extra clean look. I just want to perfect it so i two can have a great looking tank. The reason i asked for someone to show me tanks older then 2 years old was so i could ask them how they are doing it.
crvz
I love your tank and Leonardo's Reef you know how much I love yours already. I just want to be ablwe to say wow i love my tank but as of now i just can't. But i know in time with everyones help it will be a work of art.

Michael

[EdFink]

Trueblackpercula,

When you first started this thread you said your corals were pale. The recent RC thread you posted suggests your colors aren't intense enough. Looking at the pics you posted they definately aren't pale. It seems to me you have come full circle. Now your corals are too drab. Seems like you're chasing your tail for some holy grail sps system.

Spanky summed it up best earlier in the thread.......
"People that are successful, are just people that have learned how to work their tank and their equipment."

Learn your system & work through how to adjust the variables. I have been running bb for 5 years & can manipulate my system from pale colors to dark & back again. It's not the BB system that's failing you.

SPSstoner that just thinnned his tank out(a thread you responded to) has been running bb longer than me......maybe 7 years.

Limit the variables in your system & learn how to manipulate it. Results from changes take months to see ..........be patient.

No one on the web is going to fix your tank. 90% of the people are just going to re-gurgitate what they read. Not all corals will color up in your system. If there are certain pieces that don't meet your color standards get rid of them. I have corals that look great in my system & my friend with a zeo tank can't get the same colors. At the same time there are pieces that look better in his. These are pieces from the same mother colony in both cases.

Have you compared your colors to other local reef tanks you've seen in person? Compare exact corals if you can to see the true quality of the piece & if you truely aren't getting the best out of them.

If you're using pictures on the web for comparison.... forget about it........THAT'S FANTASY LAND.

Develop a plan or course of action & follow it. Come to some of your own conclusions on what works best for YOUR system.

[Hendersonracing]

Originally Posted by EdFink

Trueblackpercula,

When you first started this thread you said your corals were pale. The recent RC thread you posted suggests your colors aren't intense enough. Looking at the pics you posted they definately aren't pale. It seems to me you have come full circle. Now your corals are too drab. Seems like you're chasing your tail for some holy grail sps system.

Spanky summed it up best earlier in the thread.......
"People that are successful, are just people that have learned how to work their tank and their equipment."

Learn your system & work through how to adjust the variables. I have been running bb for 5 years & can manipulate my system from pale colors to dark & back again. It's not the BB system that's failing you.

SPSstoner that just thinnned his tank out(a thread you responded to) has been running bb longer than me......maybe 7 years.

Limit the variables in your system & learn how to manipulate it. Results from changes take months to see ..........be patient.

No one on the web is going to fix your tank. 90% of the people are just going to re-gurgitate what they read. Not all corals will color up in your system. If there are certain pieces that don't meet your color standards get rid of them. I have corals that look great in my system & my friend with a zeo tank can't get the same colors. At the same time there are pieces that look better in his. These are pieces from the same mother colony in both cases.

Have you compared your colors to other local reef tanks you've seen in person? Compare exact corals if you can to see the true quality of the piece & if you truely aren't getting the best out of them.

If you're using pictures on the web for comparison.... forget about it........THAT'S FANTASY LAND.

Develop a plan or course of action & follow it. Come to some of your own conclusions on what works best for YOUR system.

[Blueskies]

Originally Posted by trueblackpercula

I have a BB 120 that can be found here http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...5&pagenumber=1
The problem is that the corals are getting lighter. I guess what I am trying to say they just do not have that metalic looking flesheeee color that I see in other tanks. I change water 5 gallons a week with ro/di water and add b_ionic every day 25ml. Is there something else that I should be adding to my BB tank? The bulb is 7 months old would this cuase My sps to lighten up? Its a 13k megachrome 250 SE on a icecap ballast with 150 watts of vho Actinics. Is this commen in BB tanks or am I missing something?
Thanks
Michael

It could very well be that you are TOO nutrient poor. What are your test results on N and P?