First coral color question

[Drewbe147]

Added my first coral to my tank 2 days ago LPS "œblue" torch coral. Its about 4-5" above the substrate moderate flow moderate light. My lighting I got used which is 2 fluval marine LED 48" bars older model with the switch on the side (model A3985) which work fairly well. My LFS uses ocean revive LED lights obviously with more blue spectrum. Mine I only have the option of blues or full spectrum which is mostly whites with some blues an reds. At the LFS the torch was like a super blue with light blue tips. In my tank its more of a dark purple with light purple almost a off white tips. Its still a very pretty coral and opening up nicely for only the 2nd day in my tank. Polyp extension in LFS was prolly close to 4-5" today mine was 2-3" so its still getting used to its new home as I read it can take a week or so for it to get back to full extension. My question was will it eventually look "œblue" in my tank or would I need different (more up to date and adjustable) lighting to make it look closer to when it was at my LFS? If it won't and it stays purple I'm still happy with it bc its beautiful but I definitely fell in love with the blue that it was at the LFS

 

[RobZilla04]

Unfortunately your light is insufficient to support coral (even with a pair). Possible it could keep some soft coral but an LPS on the bottom of the tank, nope.

 

[Drewbe147]

Unfortunately your light is insufficient to support coral (even with a pair). Possible it could keep some soft coral but an LPS on the bottom of the tank, nope.

Little confused as to why it can't support LPS? This is the light from fluvals website.
http://www.fluvalaquatics.com/ca/pr...rum-performance-led-strip-light/#.WvRc4RYpBR4

 

[sde1500]

Good fixtures use 3watt LED diodes to light the reef tanks. That bar has almost 700 diodes pulling 46 watts. While wattage is not the end all be all, its a good at a glance indicator of light strength.

 

[Uncle99]

Corals can look better at the LFS because they put them under strong blues so they look their best. I judge colour by what the look under normal light conditions so when I put them under blues, they "pop".

I read the website and not sure what to tell you. I can't see how 46 watts would support LPS, but they certainly claim they do. I would be more comfortable in the 150 watt range.

 

[ssky]

Drew, 46 watt lights will keep it good healthy. Now growth is a whole different ball game. I have a orbit marine led light on my tank for the past 4 years. I am able to keep any kind of lps and softies. Nothing dies so far but the growth is slow since they are also weak lights. I am happy with what I have. If this light seems good enough for you then enjoy it.

 

[Drewbe147]

Thanks for all the responses. These lights were used and I got them with the tank/stand/canopy/sump/most of the plumbing/and the return pump. Ill slowly replace things over time first prolly being the lights second being the return pump and then this current return will just be a backup. I want a LED fixture for the better power usage and was also looking at what my LFS has being that ocean revive led light so what i buy will mostly look the same in my tank. Is the ocean revive led a good option for lights? My canopy on top i have roughly 8” from water surface to the top of the canopy so i would need something that can be mounted fairly close to the surface of the water. If i do go with say the ocean revive led fixture would 2 be fine? 4’ 90 gal tank with center brace on top. Wouldnt be doing it now but in the near future.

 

[RobZilla04]

^ yes those will work well.

 

[accel]

I wanna add though that even if you have good, branded lights, it's not enough to just have them and turn them on (like I did). You also need to know proper placement.

I've researched and read people's experience on proper spacing of the lights. I copied but didn't see results I am expecting. I only saw good improvement after I got a PAR meter. It turns out I'm underpowered with my Kessils even though I am using the reported distance that have produced great results for others. It also turned out that I am not supplying enough PAR at the bottom of the tank.