Photo Period?

[MurphysLaw]

Hey all,
I am trying to get a better understanding of lighting and the photo period people are having success with.

I have a 4x54w T5 with:
-Blue+
-Purple+ (just replaced this today with an Actinic)
-Blue+
-Coral+

I have been running about 12hrs on the Purple+ and blue+. And like 6hrs on all 4. Most corals I have added to my system have lost a lot of color. I am wondering if it is a photo period issue or if they are just taking time to adjust... So I would like to hear what people are having success with.
Thanks

 

[phenom5]

For SPS? Are losing color and getting lighter/ paler? Or are the losing color and browning? How are you acclimating them to your lighting? What kind of time frame are we talking about? Do you have pictures?

IME SPS tend to lose color for a month or two when they first get added to a new tank/ new lights. Once they settle in, they color back up and start growing...assuming the water quality is good.

 

[MurphysLaw]

That's good news. Thanks Rob. Yea that seems to be the situation they are getting very pale. Showing a little growth and some polyp extension. Havent done too much light acclimation, My first couple SPS frags got acclimated with like 2 hours of all four bulbs and weekly ramped up. But now I have a magnetic frag rack and I have been starting them low and to the side and gradually bringing them up and in.

As for time frame:
I have a red planet, green Slimer, and fire garden frag that I have had just over three months and there is growth but they got quite pale and not much extension however they are starting to color back up some I think...( the Slimer didn't seem to lose much color but has very little polyp extension). I also have a bonsai that has good polyp extension but has paled a lot. I have had it about 2 months.

 

[Newsalth2o]

I have 8xT5 (6 420nm and 2 coral wave) and 3x250w MH 20k Run T5s 10am to 10Pm MH 2pm to 8pm.