I don't get it!

[wasp]

Getting good acro color is related to low nutrients, right?

Well I've been feeding the tank super heavily over the last few days to try to get a new copperband butterfly to eat. Basically I've been dumping in big quantities of messy stuff like mysis, too much for the fish to eat, so some will stay floating around for the CB to find. Several times daily.

Now with all this pollution I was expecting some acro browning, it was a sacrifice I had decided had to be made.

But I climb out of bed thismorning and have a look, big surprise, never seen the acro's looking so colorful! Good PE too.

So - what's happening?

[invincible569]

is this your first time feeding mysis and not herbivorous food?

[wasp]

I feed mysis very occasionally, in small doses. The normal food is a mix of herbivorous and non herbiverous, slanted towards non herbiverous.

[Aged Salt]

Hi Alastair, depends on tank nutrient levels, coral polyp size & trace element availability. Coral need nutrients but not that we can test. This is a fine line. Cross over, & algae develops on the LR, & corals color dulls LPS corals are known to feed directly on Mysis shrimp. Of course, with fish-feedings trace elements are also infused. Net effect is increased coloration as long as all of the above are not over the threshold, resulting in algae growth. Bob

[wasp]

OK so the conclusion I should draw is my tank may in general be running below optimum nutrient levels?
I've been wondering, I use NSW, which has been fine in the past, however now I'm on zeo, perhaps should flick to ASW, which in most cases I believe is extra loaded with trace elements etc.
Any thoughts?

[Aged Salt]

Alastair, there is a point with ZEOvit, where nutrients, traces can become insufficient, as coral colors appear stagnate. I'd recommend exactly the course you've noticed, that of slightly increased fish-feeding. Alexander has had to do this since he brought his new B-K skimmer online. His results mirrored your experience with intensified coral color. Alternatively, one can use the zeo-supplements for enhance color. I do not recommend changing your succcess with NSW to ASW. Never give up a sure thing for a possibility Bob

[wasp]

Thanks Bob. "Never give up a sure thing for a possibility" Good little one liner, I like it! In fact I should really stick it to the monitor I use for stock trading, I'm often tempted to break that exact rule.

I was also considering something else such as perhaps Salifert Coral Food.
Any thoughts?

[Aged Salt]

Since you asked me I again be careful with excessive fish-feedings on a regular basis-- to me one fish is not worth all your reef efforts thus far. I realize this is not a popular statement but it is a fact. Be mindful, also, that changing too many tank techniques concomittently, can result in consequences within a few wks for your reef. I do not know what "Coral Food" does but I'm sure it provides nutrient import to your system. If anything Alastair, I'd use ZeoSpur-ME, along with AAHC, AALPS, PIF & Fe. Bob

[wasp]

Thanks.
Actually I've already moved the CB to another tank, thought I'd have him eating fairly quickly but it's not happening, so moved him away so as to avoid the various problems.

I don't yet posess the full range of zeo additives, so guess I'll just have to splash out and get them all.

Cheers.

[Aged Salt]

Thanks.
I'll just have to splash out and get them all.

Cheers.

Alastair, now you gave me a phrase worth remembering Thnx. Bob

[wasp]

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