Hey everyone, basically as the title states, I'm new into the world of sticks especially Acropora's. Feeling comfortable that I have my system stability and parameters under control and consistently in line with the what we collective seem to agree as good numbers. Basically, no major swings;
Temp averaging around 79
Salinity - stable at 1.026
pH - average 8.15 w/ +/- 0.03 swing in 24 hours
Alkalinity - somewhere around 7.3dKH
Calcium - around 420ppm
Magnesium - around 1350ppm
PO4 - typically around 0.02
N03 - typically around 5
Since this is a SPS type conversation;
This is more of a subjective type question as I really have no point of reference on what looks good in terms of coloration, growth, etc... As well, my photography skills are ranked in the negatives so I don't know if I can get a quality picture to the group for honest opinions, but here I go and try.
I picked up this 'Ultra Red Table Acropora' (linked for reference) from @Tidal Gardens during their March R2R sale. Figured I'd give it try, so I've had it for a little over a month now and appears to growing and has some pretty good polyp extension as I can see. Color doesn't appear to have changed much from when I first put it in my tank but if definitely doesn't pop red, more of a burgundy color. Some tips glow green and others are definitely a bright red almost pink.
I've read somewhere that green may show a lack or over abundance of something, I can't remember what that thing was and that browning is an affect either not enough light or high nutrients. I'll let the smarter people weigh in there to help get it straight in my head.
So, basically my question is from everyone's experience, in terms of coloration am I on the right track here, meaning am what I am seeing pretty standard? Any recommendations on areas to improve or focus on to increase the coloration.
As promised, my terrible photography skills showcased below, when the lights come on tomorrow with a little more intensity than the end of the ramp down at night I'll see if I can jumble a combination of CoralView filters on my iPhone to get a better picture.
I completely get the pursuit of perfect lighting, flow and feeding to make the colors pop now!
Temp averaging around 79
Salinity - stable at 1.026
pH - average 8.15 w/ +/- 0.03 swing in 24 hours
Alkalinity - somewhere around 7.3dKH
Calcium - around 420ppm
Magnesium - around 1350ppm
PO4 - typically around 0.02
N03 - typically around 5
Since this is a SPS type conversation;
- Flow I would consider to be on the strong side as the water is moving around in my 65ga space with two MP40's, MP10 and ReefWave 25 setup in a typical arrangement of the two MP40's facing each other in ReefCrest mode @ 60% and the ReefWave on the back wall moving water down at around 80%. It's turbulant to say the least.
- Lighting is two Kessil a360we's mounted about 8" above the water line with about 6" of water above the coral placement. Based on PAR readings from my Seneye at this location, it's approximately 330 PAR.
This is more of a subjective type question as I really have no point of reference on what looks good in terms of coloration, growth, etc... As well, my photography skills are ranked in the negatives so I don't know if I can get a quality picture to the group for honest opinions, but here I go and try.
I picked up this 'Ultra Red Table Acropora' (linked for reference) from @Tidal Gardens during their March R2R sale. Figured I'd give it try, so I've had it for a little over a month now and appears to growing and has some pretty good polyp extension as I can see. Color doesn't appear to have changed much from when I first put it in my tank but if definitely doesn't pop red, more of a burgundy color. Some tips glow green and others are definitely a bright red almost pink.
I've read somewhere that green may show a lack or over abundance of something, I can't remember what that thing was and that browning is an affect either not enough light or high nutrients. I'll let the smarter people weigh in there to help get it straight in my head.
So, basically my question is from everyone's experience, in terms of coloration am I on the right track here, meaning am what I am seeing pretty standard? Any recommendations on areas to improve or focus on to increase the coloration.
As promised, my terrible photography skills showcased below, when the lights come on tomorrow with a little more intensity than the end of the ramp down at night I'll see if I can jumble a combination of CoralView filters on my iPhone to get a better picture.
I completely get the pursuit of perfect lighting, flow and feeding to make the colors pop now!
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