problem keeping corals blue or green

[bnlimit10]

Ok guys, over the last couple of months, I switched to t5 lighting, and while all of my corals seem to keep growing and thriving, the colorations have changed. It is somewhat strange, cause I have no problem keeping flourecent greens and blues, however any corals that were blue to blue green, have turned somewhat yellowish. not that I dont like yellow, but I really liked them in their previous colors more.

My params are

ca 410
alk 8.5
mag 1220
ammonia 0
nitrite 0
nitrate 0
phosphate 0
ph 8.2

so I know its not a chemical thing, I understand its a lighting thing. I am currently running 2 54 watt 20k 2 54watt super actinic, 2 54 watt 14000 k and 2 54 watt 6000k, I also run 1 of each of the previously mentioned bulbs in 80watt versions.

so I have a total of about 850 watts over the tank. any recommendations or suggestions will be appreciated. the only thing I will say before I finish. If your suggestion is go back to MH, just save yourself the trouble. I already know that option, but I want to see if I can get the results with T5's that so many others do.

 

[keeperofthefish]

Bump. I have the same question, same problem...

 

[undertai]

Mag is kinda low should be around 1350 or 1325. Can't remember and try bumping you alk up between 11 - 14 dkh.

How close to the lights are the corals in question? What size tank?

 

[Frankysreef]

11-14 dkh is WAYYY too high I experienced alk burn when my alk stayed at 11.5 for 6 mos, and then I experienced STN.. once I dropped it back to 8 my colors brightened up considerabley and my burned corals are now recovering nicely.

 

[duec22]

l've got a bit of the same problem, What brand of bulbs are you useing? I've got 5x24W over my 29gal, with all Giesemann bulbs 3x Actinic Plus, 1-10k midday sun, and 1-11K Aquablue Plus. I get much better color under the Actinic Plus bulbs, so I've been thinking of going with 4xactinic plus, and 1 10K. I think even with just one 10k bulb the tank will still have a white enough apearance...

 

[Brad A.]

Your DKH is fine at 8.5. I like 9-10, but 11-14 is too high IME.

 

[kirstenk]

Pat, I would ditch the 6000K bulbs and put in a BluePlus and either a 20K or an actinic plus like David suggested.

 

[jjmcat]

Ok i just switched bulbs in my tank and have lost my deep blue coloring.I was useing a 5500k bulb and my bue digi was very blue.Now that i switched to 14k ive lost that deep blue.Now its a pale blue/brown.I did use actinic vhos with the 5500k bulb but when i turned them off and only used the 5500k hallide my blues were still blue.

This pick is with the 5500k only.