Using amino acids for better coral coloration

LPS, SPS and all coral chat
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angler_xp
Posts: 9
Joined: Mon May 22, 2023 4:24 am

Using amino acids for better coral coloration

Post by angler_xp »

Been dosing amino acids for a few weeks but my Acropora still looks kinda pale. Running a 75-gallon tank with Radion XR15s, salinity at 1.025, temp 78. Anyone got tips to boost color without messing with the balance?
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fizzle
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Joined: Fri Oct 04, 2024 12:44 pm

Re: Using amino acids for better coral coloration

Post by fizzle »

What's your nitrate level at? Mine were washed out till I bumped nitrates to 5ppm. Also, try cutting the amino dose in half. Sometimes less is more, ya know?
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microbe
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Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 12:58 am

Re: Using amino acids for better coral coloration

Post by microbe »

fizzle wrote: Fri May 23, 2025 1:43 am What's your nitrate level at? Mine were washed out till I bumped nitrates to 5ppm. Also, try cutting the amino dose in half. Sometimes less is more, ya know?
Yep, same here. My Zoas popped after dialing back aminos. Running a 40-gallon with T5s, dosing Brightwell's stuff twice a week now.
alixia
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Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 7:17 pm

Re: Using amino acids for better coral coloration

Post by alixia »

My tank's new so I'm scared to dose anything. Just got a pair of clowns and some softies. Should I wait till things settle?
angler_xp
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Joined: Mon May 22, 2023 4:24 am

Re: Using amino acids for better coral coloration

Post by angler_xp »

Appreciate the feedback. Nitrates are at 2ppm, so I'll try raising them slowly. Gonna cut the aminos to once a week too.
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fizzle
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Re: Using amino acids for better coral coloration

Post by fizzle »

alixia wrote: Fri May 23, 2025 5:09 am My tank's new so I'm scared to dose anything. Just got a pair of clowns and some softies. Should I wait till things settle?
Def wait. Let your biofilter catch up first. Softies are chill anyway, they don't need the extra juice.
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microbe
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Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 12:58 am

Re: Using amino acids for better coral coloration

Post by microbe »

For real, stability's key. My first tank crashed from over-dosing. Now I test every other day, keep everything steady. Red Sea kit's been solid for me.
sparro
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Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 3:11 pm

Re: Using amino acids for better coral coloration

Post by sparro »

My cat knocked over the amino bottle yesterday. Tank's fine but the carpet's wrecked. Anyway, what's the best brand for SPS?
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fizzle
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Joined: Fri Oct 04, 2024 12:44 pm

Re: Using amino acids for better coral coloration

Post by fizzle »

sparro wrote: Fri May 23, 2025 9:02 am My cat knocked over the amino bottle yesterday. Tank's fine but the carpet's wrecked. Anyway, what's the best brand for SPS?
Lol, classic. I've had luck with KZ Coral Amino. Just don't let your cat near it.
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