SPS Color UP

[gooberz]

Hello everyone,

Quick question. Usually how long does it take for a SPS to color up? I have a few frags i picked up but the one i really want to color up is my ORA Ponape Birds nest. Thanks in advance!

Henry

 

[jc-reef]

Well that IS the million dollar question...

Water quality
Lighting
Tank maturity
Husbantry
Time
Stability


Luck...

 

[Pallobi]

given all the factors above are in good order, i find in my tank, color and noticed growth, usually take between 4 to 8 weeks before i really see some progress... the color seems to not take quite that long, but this all depends on each individual frag and how undercolored they are... but like i mentioned, i find a good month before any frag i add to my system really starts to settle in... could take a few weeks, could take months, all depends on the frag, and again, that is given all listed conditions above by JCreef, plus more for that matter, are in order...

the key is patience and a good understanding of how your system works, and a even greater understanding of what these animals need to thrive...

GL

 

[gooberz]

Well Tank has been up for about 5 Months and water quality and parameters are all good. I am running MH 250 Watt 20k XM Bulb and have a few SPS in there already that are looking great but really want this Ponape bird nest to color up

 

[jwoyshnar]

Put it up high as you can, mine colored up very nicely since i did that

 

[29reef]

Put it up high as you can, mine colored up very nicely since i did that

I actually find that I get dark purple polyps if I put it lower in the tank. I have the tyree version. I don't like the coloration as much when it's up high.

 

[gooberz]

I did place it lower in the tank as that is what ORA website recommended. Here is a tank pick so you guys can look at it

 

[gooberz]

kinda small but at bottom middle next to cave

 

[Dog boy Dave]

i have pieces that have taken years to show their true potential.

 

[RynosReef]

I also recently purchased a ponape birdsnest. I've had it for a little over a month and its showing great color so far and has actually started growing already. I'll try to post some pics later, my camera phone kinda sucks. But I have mine low in the tank. Not quite on the sand bed, maybe 4 inches up. But def not at the top. Birdsnest tend to brown out if kept up too high.

One thing I noticed in your pic is that your birdsnest seems to be in the overhang of a rock leaving it in the shadow of that rock. Im not sure that's enough light. They need moderate light and moderate flow as I understand. This may be the cause of your color issue. All my corals look more brown when the lights are off. Your's may perpetually look brown if kept in the shadows. It's a cool coral isn't it? I like mine a lot.

 

[ChicagoReefOne]

One thing I noticed in your pic is that your birdsnest seems to be in the overhang of a rock leaving it in the shadow of that rock. Im not sure that's enough light. They need moderate light and moderate flow as I understand. This may be the cause of your color issue. All my corals look more brown when the lights are off. Your's may perpetually look brown if kept in the shadows. It's a cool coral isn't it? I like mine a lot.

+1, from what it looks like to me you've got it in shadow, if it were me I'd move it low on the left rock column.

I'd also advise AGAINST putting it up high, I have one near the bottom slightly off center of my 150W MH and it isn't as colored up as my frags which are essentially under the 55W PCs and get a bit of indirect light. My experience has been these don't like high light. Mine grow like weeds too, find the sweet spot and you'll be fragging in no time! (often accidentally)

 

[glennr1978]

Keep it low, even somewhat shaded is okay IME. Mine is just barely off the sandbed in my tank and is about half way shaded and it's doing great.

 

[gooberz]

Wanted to give you guys an update The branches at first looked brown and now are a lime green and tips are starting to get purple! Its starting to color up... Will take pictures soon.

 

[nolanrob123]

Wanted to give you guys an update The branches at first looked brown and now are a lime green and tips are starting to get purple! Its starting to color up... Will take pictures soon.

I need to do that to mine! It is kinda high up but to the back, (a mix of good flow and light) and is a little patchy with the green/brown. I have only had it about a week so I will keep an eye on it.

 

[Nami_Dori]

It's tough to say, with the picture. It's tough taking decent pictures that actually show what the eye catches. My opinion is, if the tank has been running for awhile, make sure your parameters are in check. Especially phosphate, make sure it doesn't get over .04 on a quality test kit. My tanks are at 1.26spg. Ensure carbonate, bicarbonate and mag are balanced where they should be. If all is in check, dose aminos. Also, add more fish. I noticed more brilliance in my coral from adding more poop to the tank.

 

[rovster]

First of all, ponape is not a "colorful" coral. That said, it's more colorful in lower light like mentioned previously.

 

[meshwheel]

Have patience grasshoppa.......................lol

 

[AugustWest]

LOL it's been 2 1/2 years....... Wonder if it ever colored up

 

[sahin]

LOL it's been 2 1/2 years....... Wonder if it ever colored up

Funny how old threads creep up again. :lol:

 

[rovster]

Funny how old threads creep up again. :lol:

Haha, missed that!