ORA Blue Tortusa lost all its blue.

[mic209]

I received an ORA Blue Tortusa from you guys in the middle of may, now almost two months later, its practicall grey. Its located midway and my tank is 16 inches tall, the bulb is about 12 inches from the water surface. My tank is 42 gallon total system volume, its lit by a 250w Phoenix 14k metal halide. Water parmeters are as follow:

CA 440(salifert)
Alk 9.4(salifert)
Mg 1300 (red sea)
Nitrate 0 (salifert)
Phosphate 0 (salifert)
ph 8.2-8.4 (neptune)

What am i doing wrong? Should i give it a few months?

 

[dfs/la2]

mic209,

The water parameters you have offered show that your water quality is ideal for this coral to thrive. The corals pictured on our site are illuminated under 20,000K 400-Watt Metal Halide lighting. The coloration of each coral will vary under different lighting intensities and Kelvin ratings of light bulbs. Corals may look different under 10,000K Metal Halides, VHO, T5 or Power Compact Lights.

If you would like to send a picture of the specimen we may be able to better assist you with what may be done to improve the coloration of the coral.

Joyce F.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster & Smith

 

[mic209]

here's a pic, its was a lot more blue when i first got it

 

[dfs/la2]

mic209,

Thank you for posting the picture of your Blue tortuosa (Acropora tortuosa). It seems as though the lighting in your aquarium may be causing the coral to appear to lack blue coloration. We feel that the color of the specimens in your aquarium would benefit from the addition of actinic lighting or a higher Kelvin bulb. The coral does look healthy and has great polyp extension.

If we can be of further assistance please contact us.

Joyce F.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster & Smith

 

[mic209]

what brand 20,000k halides do you guys use?

 

[dfs/la2]

mic209,

Thank you for your inquiry. Our Aquaculture Coral & Marine Life Facility use IceCap 400 Watt Metal Halides. They are on motorized light rails that move slowly across each vat. This prevents hot spots from forming in one place in the vat and helps to spread the light more evenly over each raceway.

Gwen S.
Livequaria
Drs. Foster and Smith