SPS Lighting Acclimation Question

[gofor100]

Hello Everyone,

I've been keeping reef tanks for a while now, but I am relatively new to keeping SPS (specifically Acropora). I just got what looks to be some type of "bottlebrush" acro (teal branches with blue/purple tips) last Saturday and am in the process acclimating the coral to my lighting (which is 2X250 watt 15,000K XM HQI in LumenMax Elites). I started it in the middle to upper-middle part of the tank, and it is doing great (all polyps are expanded and color looks as good, if not better, than in the store), but wanted to make sure that since it isn't higher in the tank, that it won't turn "unhappy". I guess what I'm asking is, should I still look to move it up in the tank since it obviously is a "light-loving" coral, or since it is happy (right now), keep it where it is at, and only move it when it doesn't look as happy? My concern is if I don't move it higher, that it will decline in health (and I'd prefer that not to happen). Kind of a newbie question, but just wanted to make sure...

Thanks in advance for your help!!! :beer:

 

[CWP]

I've found that some SPS likes it a bit lower in the tank, so I would keep it where it is as long as it doing well. If it doesn't do well, move it up. I try to keep things easy, but that's just me.

 

[divewsharks]

if its happy, leave it where it is. not every acro wants every drop of light it can get.

 

[gofor100]

thanks guys... I figured that would be the case, but being that I'm relatively new at the "acro-thing", and this is the first large piece (meaning non-frag) that I've bought, I didn't want to mess it up.

Thanks again!

 

[Lyfey]

Another quick question to go along with the thread, what are the signs of SPS that they are not getting enough light?

 

[dudley moray]

brown colour or brilliant white colour

 

[Lyfey]

Well, I have very nice colors on my SPS but very very slow growth. I am using a old school nova extreme 8x54w on a 75 gallon tank. Only 6 bulbs work. I get alot of RTN issues on newly aquired frags within the 1st month or so. I only have a handful of SPS that are taking to the tank nicely, but slowly. Could low light effect growth as much as other conditions?

 

[divewsharks]

Well, I have very nice colors on my SPS but very very slow growth. I am using a old school nova extreme 8x54w on a 75 gallon tank. Only 6 bulbs work. I get alot of RTN issues on newly aquired frags within the 1st month or so. I only have a handful of SPS that are taking to the tank nicely, but slowly. Could low light effect growth as much as other conditions?

yes it can. what kind of bulbs are you running?
what are your water params, they can/will affect growth as much/more than anything else. Flow is also just as important.

 

[Lyfey]

The thing is with the old Nova Extreme is that it only has 1 reflector for all the bulbs, similar to the spider reflector of the metal halide retro's. I am running 4x ATI blue +, 1x Fiji Purple and 1x Old Gman Aquablue +. I replaced all bulbs back in September/October timeframe. I know my lighting is the bottleneck of my system thats why I am asking if that is why I am having very slow growth and RTN issues.

 

[Lyfey]

Sorry, did not mean to hijaak the thread O.P., just wanted to elaborate and add to the discussion.


-Chris

 

[gofor100]

No problem...

 

[poolkeeper1]

Most common Bottle brush coral are actually deep water specimens and do not require being placed high In the tank, But If you do so slowly the tips will turn a brighter shade of the color they are (Usually) Just my 2 cents
Bill