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Using amino acids for better coral coloration
Posted: Fri May 23, 2025 1:20 am
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?
Re: Using amino acids for better coral coloration
Posted: Fri May 23, 2025 1:43 am
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?
Re: Using amino acids for better coral coloration
Posted: Fri May 23, 2025 3:12 am
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.
Re: Using amino acids for better coral coloration
Posted: Fri May 23, 2025 5:09 am
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?
Re: Using amino acids for better coral coloration
Posted: Fri May 23, 2025 5:54 am
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.
Re: Using amino acids for better coral coloration
Posted: Fri May 23, 2025 7:09 am
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.
Re: Using amino acids for better coral coloration
Posted: Fri May 23, 2025 8:47 am
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.
Re: Using amino acids for better coral coloration
Posted: Fri May 23, 2025 9:02 am
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?
Re: Using amino acids for better coral coloration
Posted: Fri May 23, 2025 10:50 am
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.