Exposing SPS during water change

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by Reefer Rob

This is not the first time I've heard that people have trouble getting the Purple cross to color nicely, but it really surprises me. It was always one of the easiest corals to grow in my tank, and it was a real show piece. I didn't do anything special, just good water quality... at times not so perfect

I wouldn't put it too high up, it needs room to grow. If it gets happy it will be massive.

An old picture, it's the purple (blue) coral on the left.

Well, judging from the rest of the corals in that pic, you're obviously doing a lot of things right..., very beautiful. For me, that is still just a dream...

[Reefer Rob]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Rob, you and Denis seem to have no problem. Mine grows great, just not a lot of color. I am comparing mine to Jamie's original piece, and it's not even comparable!

I wish I could tell you what the secret is, but I have absolutely no idea. I did nothing special, standard Berlin method aquarium. I did dose iodine most of the time, but I don't think thats the key. Undetectable nitrate and phosphate, but I think that's pretty common in reef tanks.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Reefer Rob

Undetectable nitrate and phosphate, but I think that's pretty common in reef tanks.

I'm at 0 on both, still have a gray cross Everything else is blue or purple, just not that one.

[reefermadness]

Looks pretty low nutrient and/or very bright lighting (10k?) judging by the looks of the corals....if I didnt know better I would have maybe guess zeo as well. That is probably the key with it then (low nutrient/high light).....

[windcoast reefs]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I'm at 0 on both, still have a gray cross Everything else is blue or purple, just not that one.

I'm starting to get purple tips on the one I got from you, but I have it a half inch from the surface right beside a power head.

But back to the question! Yeah I leave mine exposed for 30 minutes every week without a problem!

[Reefer Rob]

I had from 12k to 14k over the years. 400w then reduced to 250w because I thought it too bright.

I had macro in a refugium with nutrients too low to grow Chaeto, so ya, low nutrient is likely key... though this suprises me. At times I've struggled to get corals to color nicely... just never the Purple Cross It had nice color from the day I put it in the tank till the day I took it out.

[cuz]

[rhody605]

That's a wicked pic. Did you take it?


Mike

[daniella3d]

I always wait until my MH is off before doing my water change which take around 40 to 50 minutes. My SPS always slime a bit but they are fine.