Toddkashi Amano
New Member
I like to closely document my acropora growth with photos. Archiving each coral has been a great resource to reference and observe the subtle changes over time. I'm looking to shed light on how parameters effect these changes. I've noticed some species have amazing growth, while others have done amost nothing for a year. I've also noticed that some species seem to be thriving with increased coloration, vibrancy while neighboring acro's are slowly fading to pale shades of brown.
I strive to offer my corals the consistency of stable parameters, so I feel like the issue may have to do with each corals individual preference for high or low nutrients and light intensity/photo period to present their best coloration. This has been a complex puzzle with no single solution but I thought I would document my findings here and update every few months with a progression of photos.
I consider my parameters to be fairly typical but with an slightly elevated pH from Kalkwasser and longer than average photo period. ICP yielded no major deficiencies but I dose trace to try and maintain them similar to natural seawater.
pH 8.2-8.4
Alk 8.2-8.8
Cal 400-450
Mag 1300-1350
N03 4-12ppm
P04 .03-.10
Temp 77-79
PAR Results at peak intensity 6hrs, 12.5hr photo period, 3hr ramp up/down.
Here are some "happy" corals before and after:
"Electric Miyagi" 5 months at 220PAR
"Pac-Man/ Needle in a haystack" 2 months growth at 190PAR
PC Rainbow, 2 Months growth at 210PAR
Here are some fading corals, either pale pigment or browning:
JF Shock Tart, 2 Months at 300PAR. Fading pink pigment and pale, polyp extension remains intact.
Poletta Pink Tip, 1 month at 320 PAR. Fading pink to yellow
WCC Pink Lipstick 280PAR. Browning and slightly fading
Anecdotal, but it seems like the higher par corals are going pale, however many acropora are enjoying that same intensity with impoved coloration. I might considering moving one or two of the corals mentioned above to see if the deeper colorations return. Also seems that I am losing some pink coloration the most, although the PC rainbow seems to be the exception, as it is increasing it's red/pink tips. Published resources mention that Iodine seems to effect pink colors. My ICP showed Iodine slightly outside the .05-.09 optimal range at .047, so I will experiment by increasing that as well.
This system is only 7 months old, so it could be a general issue of establishing biological balance as well.
Hopefully others can use this as a resource as I update the progression. I'm looking forward to seeing others contribute any before and after photos here. Photos that show changes in coloration both positive and negative, duration of time and your best guess for that change.
I strive to offer my corals the consistency of stable parameters, so I feel like the issue may have to do with each corals individual preference for high or low nutrients and light intensity/photo period to present their best coloration. This has been a complex puzzle with no single solution but I thought I would document my findings here and update every few months with a progression of photos.
I consider my parameters to be fairly typical but with an slightly elevated pH from Kalkwasser and longer than average photo period. ICP yielded no major deficiencies but I dose trace to try and maintain them similar to natural seawater.
pH 8.2-8.4
Alk 8.2-8.8
Cal 400-450
Mag 1300-1350
N03 4-12ppm
P04 .03-.10
Temp 77-79
PAR Results at peak intensity 6hrs, 12.5hr photo period, 3hr ramp up/down.
Here are some "happy" corals before and after:
"Electric Miyagi" 5 months at 220PAR
"Pac-Man/ Needle in a haystack" 2 months growth at 190PAR
PC Rainbow, 2 Months growth at 210PAR
Here are some fading corals, either pale pigment or browning:
JF Shock Tart, 2 Months at 300PAR. Fading pink pigment and pale, polyp extension remains intact.
Poletta Pink Tip, 1 month at 320 PAR. Fading pink to yellow
WCC Pink Lipstick 280PAR. Browning and slightly fading
Anecdotal, but it seems like the higher par corals are going pale, however many acropora are enjoying that same intensity with impoved coloration. I might considering moving one or two of the corals mentioned above to see if the deeper colorations return. Also seems that I am losing some pink coloration the most, although the PC rainbow seems to be the exception, as it is increasing it's red/pink tips. Published resources mention that Iodine seems to effect pink colors. My ICP showed Iodine slightly outside the .05-.09 optimal range at .047, so I will experiment by increasing that as well.
This system is only 7 months old, so it could be a general issue of establishing biological balance as well.
Hopefully others can use this as a resource as I update the progression. I'm looking forward to seeing others contribute any before and after photos here. Photos that show changes in coloration both positive and negative, duration of time and your best guess for that change.
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