Golden Leptastrea coloration

[StartrTank]

The wife purchased a Golden Leptastrea from Vivid a few weeks back. When it arrived it was, as she described, "ugly". We were expecting it to be purple and gold/yellow. Instead it looks more like a redish-brown and gold/yellow. I remember reading that SPS grow fast with a higher Alk but have better color with a lower Alk.. Does the same hold true with LPS? Currently my Alk is around 9.8dKH. Will lowering my alkalinity improve the purple coloration? Also, part of why she thought it was "ugly" was that the frag had this fuzzy look to it, some of which was hair algae that is now gone, but the frag now has more of a smooth look to it...? Is this normal or should it look kind of fuzzy? I have it placed somewhat higher in the tank since I currently have poor lighting (Current USA Marine Orbit LED); Vivid's website states it likes low to moderate lighting... could it maybe be getting to much light? The rest of the corals in my tank are doing very well as are my fish

 

[StartrTank]

I think I've found my answer.... according to vivid's website, they recommend 14-20k color spectrum for best coloration. I just looked up the specs on the marine orbit and the duel daylight rating is only 8k &12k. I purchased a used Gen2 Radion xr30w from a fellow member about a week ago. Hopefully once that arrives (if it arrives) I'll see better color.

 

[mcfa2403]

Personally I think leaving your all level constant would be more beneficial to a newly acclimated coral especially when your dKh is well within range. The change in lighting should make considerable difference as 8-12k is very yellow/white light and actinic lighting is what really makes the colors pop. With the new lights definitely start them out low and acclimate everything in the tank LED's in general are pretty harsh but Radion lights can really pump out some light.

By saying it looks fuzzy are you possibly referring to its polyps just being more extended than the picture?