SPS loosing color (pics)

[reefer2005]

I am new to keeping SPS corals and have a question about a green Acro. that I purchased on 1-21-06. It has lost most of the green tint and is turning a light brown w/light blue tips. Do you guys think this is normal or do I need to change something. Tank info is in my signature. The coral is about 12" from top of water. The bulb about 10" above water. The coral has good polyp extension and is showing good growth. I'm hoping it's just adjusting and will color back up.

Tank Parameters:

DKH = 9.5
NH4 = 0
NO2 = 0
NO3 = 0
Cal = 440
SG = 1.025
PH = 8.2-8.3
MG = 1350
PO4 = 0
Temp = 79.5-81.5

Before

Now

 

[Croman]

This is usually normally. The place where you bought the Acro had different lighting. The Acro is adjusting to the new lights. As long it is not turning white.

 

[reefer2005]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6884712#post6884712 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Croman
This is usually normally. The place where you bought the Acro had different lighting. The Acro is adjusting to the new lights. As long it is not turning white.

Yea, the store had 400w 20k XM's.

 

[NoSchwag]

reefer do you suppliment actinic lights? just curious.

 

[reefer2005]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6884740#post6884740 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NoSchwag
reefer do you suppliment actinic lights? just curious.

No, just the 14K Hamilton in the Luminarc reflector.

 

[Croman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6884749#post6884749 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefer2005
No, just the 14K Hamilton in the Luminarc reflector.

at 20K everything looks too blue. I wouldn't worry. If you want you could supplement with actinics.

 

[Leopardshark]

IMHO it is looking better now, and in 3 months youÃ"šÃ‚´ll have a fantastic coral.

 

[reefer2005]

Thanks for the replies guys.

 

[trueblackpercula]

what kind of equipment do you have for filteration? ozone?

 

[reefer2005]

I have an ASM G2 skimmer in a sump with a pretty good sized ball of Chaeto, also a TLF phosban reactor w/Phosban. I have a 100 micron filter on the return that is changed every 2-3 days along with carbon along and weekly water changes.

 

[trueblackpercula]

sounds very simple just the way i like it.

 

[nemofish2217]

how do you like the hamilton 14 k with the lumenarc reflector? do you like the color and growth since its without supllementation? i ask because i am going to use the lumenarc reflector with some type of either 12 or 14k bulb, and im not gonna be able to use actinics....

also, what ballast? and i think the coral looks better as well...

 

[reefer2005]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6933663#post6933663 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nemofish2217
how do you like the hamilton 14 k with the lumenarc reflector? do you like the color and growth since its without supllementation? i ask because i am going to use the lumenarc reflector with some type of either 12 or 14k bulb, and im not gonna be able to use actinics....

also, what ballast? and i think the coral looks better as well...

I'm new to keeping SPS so I don't have anything to compare to, but I personally like the color. Crisp white with a slight blue tint. The coral in question has put on about 3/4" growth in about two months. I'm not sure how good that is. I'm running a 400w Icecap ballast. So far, all seems good

 

[nemofish2217]

thanks, cool... now, how do you like the reflector? does it give the amount of light like it claims? my tank is 25x18x25... so its similar to yours.... i was going to go with the 250 watt..... what made you decide to use a 400? any heat issues? thanks

 

[reefer2005]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6934125#post6934125 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nemofish2217
thanks, cool... now, how do you like the reflector? does it give the amount of light like it claims? my tank is 25x18x25... so its similar to yours.... i was going to go with the 250 watt..... what made you decide to use a 400? any heat issues? thanks

The tank has very intense and evenly distributed light from corner to corner (24" x 24"). My tank is 24" deep, so that is one reason for the 400w. I have a fan on the top of the tank and one on the sump. So far I haven't had any problems. I have about a 2 to 2.5 deg temp swing.

 

[Pyrrhus]

IME, it is quite common for a blue or yellow acro to turn green and then color back up, kinda like it never browned out all the way.

 

[reefer2005]

Here is another pic update.

 

[Leopardshark]

The acro is definitely lookiing better than when you bought it!!!
Just igive it some more time and youÃ"šÃ‚´ll see!

 

[reefer2005]

Here is another updated picture.

 

[SuperNerd]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6973894#post6973894 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Leopardshark
The acro is definitely lookiing better than when you bought it!!!
Just igive it some more time and youÃ"šÃ‚´ll see!

It's supposed to loose its colors first????