Green Birdsnest not very green

[Jake007]

I got a green birdsnest frag 3 months ago and it is not very green. The tank is a mixed reef with LPS and SPS all doing well. My lights are T5 (6) with individual reflectors (new bulbs last month). He is located 6" from the top near the center of the tank and there is good water flow. Ca 405, ALK 9.5, pH 8.0- 8.3, temp 80 deg. The poyp color is more of a brownish with the tip polyps more of a mint. It has grown from a 1.5" frag to 3" x 4" in size in 3 months.

Q. Is this color normal? Will it change? I was expecting dark green. What other things should I check.

 

[allsps40]

What is your NO3 and PO4? Do you run carbon in your mixed reef? I find the with my ORA green BN when PO4 is 0 and NO3 is around 5 it looks its best. My NO3 is hardly ever detectable though.

 

[Jake007]

My nitrates and phosphates are barely detectable. I run Phosban in a carbon reactor 24/7. I run carbon every third month mixed in with the phosban. I also have a small 5 gal bucket refugium with Chaeto for nutrient export.

 

[potterjon]

I have found that these are very low light corals in my opinion. I have grown them about 4" from the bottom of the tank under HO t5 in a 150 gallon with 12 bulbs. 6 on each side.
Sometimes it is all about finding the sweet spot. Not to disregard all the other factors to take into consideration.

 

[Jake007]

Interesting on the low light comment. I was wondering the same thing. It almost looks bleached in color which made me start thinking that maybe too much light. But everthing I read says high light is needed. It is growing real fast where it is, just limited color...Hmmm.

If it helps diagnose, I also have a validia frag (located high center) which is growing but mostly brownish with green tips and an alien eye chalice (sand bed) which is a browish grey base color with green eyes. I think both of these corals normally should have better color as well. I was thinking browish base on SPS means not enough light? or high PO4?

 

[somethingphishy]

I have found that these are very low light corals in my opinion. I have grown them about 4" from the bottom of the tank under HO t5 in a 150 gallon with 12 bulbs. 6 on each side.
Sometimes it is all about finding the sweet spot. Not to disregard all the other factors to take into consideration.

I would agree and u might want to move it down a bit to see if colors improve

 

[allsps40]

I also find that if I have a frag lower in the tank the colors are deeper.

 

[potterjon]

I think in general they are "high light" compared to other coral but as far as sps are concerned they need a lot less light than other sps I keep. I actually have a hard time keeping anything in the top 4" of my tank without bleaching it, and I am running t5s.

 

[belgian_waffleman]

I actually have a hard time keeping anything in the top 4" of my tank without bleaching it, and I am running t5s.

me too!
Most of the birds nest corals are lower light compared to other SPS's

regards,
Waffleman

 

[Jake007]

OK.... guess I need to try and move it down in the tank. I have another spot 6-8" lower in the center or down at the sand. Can't hurt at this point.

 

[Acrotrdco]

A picture speaks a thousand words.

See how the yellow/green hue shows up on the area where it's shaded? So the answer is, yes you'll want to move it to somewhere with lower light if you want it to look yellow/green.

 

[Jake007]

WOW... neat pic.... time to move er down....