Why Are My SPS Corals Losing Their Color?

Light

• SPS corals in their natural habitat receive intense sunlight, as they grow in shallow waters. The lighting required for optimum SPS coral health must be either very high output fluorescent or metal halide lighting. Both types of reef lighting systems have been used with excellent results in SPS corals. Lighting parameters should be five watts of light per gallon of water within the main display tank.

Flow and Filtration

• It is essential in any marine or reef aquarium to maintain the quality of the water. The water is the single most important element and it is what all SPS corals grow in. Keep waste products such as nitrates and phosphates to a minimum through adequate filtration techniques, such as protein skimmers, water changes, and live rock. Also, promote adequate water flow through the use of pumps to ensure natural wave action within the aquarium.

Dosing

• Dosing refers to the addition of supplements to the reef aquarium to maintain the health of SPS corals. A calcium reactor is a good addition for the upkeep of the corals and it will aid in developing strong support structures. Weekly water changes will also replenish any trace minerals needed by SPS corals for continued growth in a captive environment.

Pruning

• Once all the proper parameters have been taken care of, with adequate filtration, water flow, lighting and supplementation, most aquarists will find their SPS corals bursting with color and growing rapidly. However, this can become a problem and may hamper continued growth and coloring, as the corals will continue growing to the point of blocking water flow and light. Aquarists will want to frag the corals, or break off pieces, to alleviate overcrowding and maintain equilibrium within the display tank. The frags can be given away to other aquarists or sold for future propagation.