upster

I wouldn't lower the light over your tank. Some of your corals are a bit pale to me, like the Trachyphyllia geoffroyi or the pink pocillopora, or that candy cane. They seem a tad on the light side to me, comparing them to other pictures you posted.

If you get a PAR meter, you'll have a valid reason to move the light up or down.

They are quite pale I agree. Those pics are from a few months ago. I found with the Trach weekly feedings of mysis have brought more of the reds out and it is looking healthier. I will work with my camera and try to get some updated pics.

Do you think raising the light would help? Could it be that my nutrients are too low?I have been trying to feed the fish sparingly because I am trying to stop Gelidium algea from growing.

My current params are:

calc 440
alk 8
ph 7.9 - 8.1
temp 79.2ish
nitrate 0

I havn't tested for mag. Calc and Alk have been stable and I don't truly understand how magnesium effects on coral.

Magnesium is a key ingredient to maintaining proper ionic balance in your tank. Magnesium should be 3x the calcium level in your tank, generally. With your current measurement, Mg should be 1320ppm. Magnesium helps Montipora species look better in my tank, and when it drops off, they look pale.

I've not had to deal with that particular algae, but if you keep Nitrate and Phosphate levels down, most algaes won't last too long. Having snails, crabs and hermits can help pick off what is left, as well as grazing fish.

I can't tell you about your light's intensity with a measurement, but I can say that 12" from the bulb to the water is usually a good height. Reflector types have to be considered as well. With mine, I have the bulbs 18" off the water. Lumenbright reflectors are unique in that way though.

I agree with Mark about your lighting height. Ive always ran my MH at 10" off the water on both tanks 24" and 30" deep.

Thats quite a bit of equipment upgrading in the last year. You have a pretty darned good set up now.

Right on, thanks for the comments guys. I guess I'll be purchasing a mag kit this weekend!