My pink zoanthids and palythoas seem to all turn brown within a week of placing them in my display tank. I have researched this issue and found that lighting was most likely the cause. My pink zoas are placed at different levels in my tank. No matter where they are placed, they get splotches of brown coloration that eventually turn completely brown.
Currently I have a Zoo Med AquaSun fixture that has 1x24w T5HO Actinic-03 (deed blue professional) and 1x Ocean Sun 22" 559mm fluorescent bulb. The Actinic-03 bulb was replaced 8-9-2011, making it 7 months old. The Ocean Sun bulb came with the 'used' fixture. I have no idea how old it is, but is most likely overdue for replacement. I am teetering on what type of light fixture to get that won't scorch my pink babies.
Are metal halides better for pink zoanthids? I have been considering an LED fixture, but ran across a thread where LED is not the choice of lighting for making pink zoas pop. I'm thinking combinations of a metal halide along with different shades of T5s might just do the trick. I still wouldn't mind a bit of LEDs in there. I've read that MHs are real bank account busters. Does anyone have any suggestions of a decent fixture that would work on my Red Sea Max? The original hood no longer exists.
I also noticed that my salinity is at 1.026. Could high salinity have an effect on coral coloration? I use Red Sea Coral Pro salt. My current params are all stellar. None of my zoas seem to be suffering from any fungus or other diseases.
Currently I have a Zoo Med AquaSun fixture that has 1x24w T5HO Actinic-03 (deed blue professional) and 1x Ocean Sun 22" 559mm fluorescent bulb. The Actinic-03 bulb was replaced 8-9-2011, making it 7 months old. The Ocean Sun bulb came with the 'used' fixture. I have no idea how old it is, but is most likely overdue for replacement. I am teetering on what type of light fixture to get that won't scorch my pink babies.
Are metal halides better for pink zoanthids? I have been considering an LED fixture, but ran across a thread where LED is not the choice of lighting for making pink zoas pop. I'm thinking combinations of a metal halide along with different shades of T5s might just do the trick. I still wouldn't mind a bit of LEDs in there. I've read that MHs are real bank account busters. Does anyone have any suggestions of a decent fixture that would work on my Red Sea Max? The original hood no longer exists.I also noticed that my salinity is at 1.026. Could high salinity have an effect on coral coloration? I use Red Sea Coral Pro salt. My current params are all stellar. None of my zoas seem to be suffering from any fungus or other diseases.
