Best lighting placement for Favia

[ryshark]

What is the best placement for Favia in regards to lighting? I have about 6wpg of VHO lighting and my 2"x2" favia frag which is a bright green with purple heads is about 5" above the substrate. The purple heads seem to be looking more of a brownish as time goes on. Thanks for any advice.

 

[reefwizz]

I have halides, and mine is pretty close to the surface, like 6 to 10 inches, and it has great color. Not sure how it will react to vho's. Good luck

 

[Justin74]

Brown for purple LPS typically means too much.
As for me, all my favias are on the sand or shaded and have great color and perfect health. And have been that way for well over 6 months. I would never recommend high placement for favias under MH and/or especially T5.

-Justin

 

[MCsaxmaster]

Different species of Favia and even the same species can live in radically different light environments in nature. Under VHOs, however, I'd probably keep it in direct light relatively high in the tank. If it seems to not respond well it could certainly be moved lower.

 

[Justin74]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12996891#post12996891 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MCsaxmaster
Different species of Favia and even the same species can live in radically different light environments in nature. Under VHOs, however, I'd probably keep it in direct light relatively high in the tank. If it seems to not respond well it could certainly be moved lower.

So if you had a green w/ purple headed favia that was browning out 5" off the substrate, (assuming it is getting direct light) you would move it higher?



-Justin

 

[stunreefer]

All my favia is in my 50 breeder that has a 250W DE MH over it, and I have to keep them towards the corners. Most of my Aussie Prism favias are actually shaded quite a bit.

 

[ianiwane]

IME, there are favias that like a lot of light (some also that don't). I've had good success in coloring up brown favias by blasting it with light. You are just going to have to go by trial and error I'm afraid.

 

[All Delight]

I have the babys breath under 150 mh 20k. My lighting is about 6 inches from the surface.

The small frag was about 4-6 inches from the surface getting blasted. The main colony is about 14 inches from the surface right directly under the lights. Neither one is shaded both under direct light just different distances. And look at the difference in colors.

 

[All Delight]

double

 

[musty baby]

Will depend on the particular piece of coral.

Have one favia that would bleach if put closer than 18" from a 400w 20k Hamilton and another that had its best color and growth an inch under the water's surface and about 8" from a 400w 10k Hamilton.

Under the VHOs I'd try raising it up and give it a month to respond. If not better, try lowering.

 

[ryshark]

Wow, what a difference from the colony and its frag in different locations from the light. I do have my favia under direct light, I will try moving it and see what happens. Thanks for all the advice.