Red planet color, flow issues?

[SpinyReef]

I've had this red planet for a 4 months now and is growing pretty well, however the color has, after coloring up in the first months, tarnished over the last month or so. I've also noticed that the powerhead supposed to provide flow in that part of the tank was clogged and the coral had very little flow. Don't misunderstand me, it still has a nice color, but I'm looking at that redder coloration rather than the greenish background. Having read that the red planet requires high flow, am I right to think this could be the cause of this bad coloration or should I start looking at other possibilities?

NO3: undetectable
PO4: 15PPB
Alk: 8dKH
Cal: 400ppm
Mag: 1350ppm
The coral is located about 16-18 inches under a 250w phoenix in lumenmax elite reflector. Bulb is 2 months old.

 

[kcrush4989]

I've had this red planet for a 4 months now and is growing pretty well, however the color has, after coloring up in the first months, tarnished over the last month or so. I've also noticed that the powerhead supposed to provide flow in that part of the tank was clogged and the coral had very little flow. Don't misunderstand me, it still has a nice color, but I'm looking at that redder coloration rather than the greenish background. Having read that the red planet requires high flow, am I right to think this could be the cause of this bad coloration or should I start looking at other possibilities?

NO3: undetectable
PO4: 15PPB
Alk: 8dKH
Cal: 400ppm
Mag: 1350ppm
The coral is located about 16-18 inches under a 250w phoenix in lumenmax elite reflector. Bulb is 2 months old.

Mine looked the same way after a month or 2 in my tank. I started dosing Red Sea energy A+B amino and after just 2 weeks they coked buck up real nice. The PE extension has almost doubled. For 15 bucks you can't go wrong

 

[AdamDeMamp]

I have mine dead center of my tank and mine is dark red with no green to it. I have it under LEDs with plenty of flow. I kinda like the way yours looks now, it's almost like a ssc.

 

[cnguyenl]

I had mine sitting directly from the power head, so flow is not a problem. However, it's all greenish except the tips are red. I have the cheap chinese LEDs so I believe light is a big factor.

 

[AdamDeMamp]

I'm using dyi 3w bridgelux LEDs (180w total) in a 55gL with no problems growing sps. I have them 6" from the water surface. Water chemistry could be a factor. I have gotten frags from locals that colored up better in my tank and vice versa. Not saying your water chemistry is out of wack, some corals just color differently in other people systems. Honestly, I like the RP better with some green. Mine is a solid deep red color. It's growing really well where it is so I'm not going to mess with it.

 

[cnguyenl]

I guess that's the difference between cheap chinese LEDs and high end LEDs...lol! I may be looking into some dyi CREE LEDs in the near future.

 

[7Reef]

I guess that's the difference between cheap chinese LEDs and high end LEDs...lol! I may be looking into some dyi CREE LEDs in the near future.

I'm using cheap Chinese LEDs and my Red Planet is is deep red with dark green base. The rest of my SPS are colored nicely too.

 

[Henry Colf]

Here's mine under chineese leds. 8 in from the bottom of my 90 gallon.

 

[trueblackpercula]

Wow it look amazing to me.

 

[7Reef]

here is mine

 

[JVJordan]

I'm thinking the depth of color has a lot to do with the nutrient levels in the tank. Mine is dark red with green accents and my nutrient levels are a bit high.

 

[AdamDeMamp]

7Reef, yours coloring is amazing.

Here is mine in the middle

 

[bshow24]

i have read a lot about this, and usually it will be more red if it is getting a lot of light, more green if it isnt. Maybe try getting it closer to the light if you want more red, but honestly that color looks very cool.

 

[cnguyenl]

Mine looks just like 7Reef's. I would prefer it more red than green! I will move it closer to the lights and see if it turns more red.

 

[Henry Colf]

That is true the more light it gets the more red that it gets.

 

[peequin]

Your nitrates are low...which could be a bad thing. My Red Planet colored up when some nutrients were in the tank. My Nitrates read anywhere betweeen 1-2ppm. Pale colors are usually a sign of "too clean" water. My red planet is now a deep green (almost glowing) and the red tips are very bright. Just up the feedings a bit more for your fish.

Also, it took me forever to get the Red Planet to take off. The first 7 months, my frag barely grew. I had a fight with Red Bugs. But now it is growing really well.

 

[7Reef]

Also, it took me forever to get the Red Planet to take off. The first 7 months, my frag barely grew. I had a fight with Red Bugs. But now it is growing really well.

I have had mine a yr plus and has barely grown at all!! However it has done well through alk swings were other SPS suffered.

 

[cnguyenl]

It's my turn now to fight red bugs! Not sure how/when they got in my tank, my red planet is now full of red bugs. The polyps are barely extended...

 

[trueblackpercula]

here is mine

Great looking sps what lights is it under?

 

[danil]

Actually I like your color .