SPS - no / poor colour on shaded sections

[paal]

"The Background Effect":

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2012/5/equipment

 

[lee_d_m]

So are you saying that there's only a limited place I can put the SPS for what you'd call 'idea light'?

Whilst I don't disagree it's strange that I see a lot of spectacular SPS tanks where the SPS are rammed front to back with great colouration? (Usually under ATI fixtures from what i've seen).

Thank you for the detailed response though.

I think you're overthinking it. You will be able to grow SPS anywhere in your tank with that light. All SPS are darker at the base regardless of whether there near a black wall or not, you only have to look top down into your tank to see how much more colourful the corals are than when you view them from the side.

And do increase the power, I measured the PAR of the ATI hybrid with all 8 T5s on 100% and 3 LED clusters at 100% and the unit 8inches above the water and the PAR a couple of inches below the water is around 800, your corals can handle way more than that, just increase it slowly as you've been doing and you'll be fine.

 

[gex23]

Thank you for the constructive criticism everyone - it'll only improve my tank.

I'll look at upping the intensity and photoperiod a touch more than usual this week.

Again thank you

Anthony

 

[outssider]

I let the coralline grow on the back glass....now it's not black anymore...:rollface:

 

[SpSChief85]

So are you saying that there's only a limited place I can put the SPS for what you'd call 'idea light'?

Whilst I don't disagree it's strange that I see a lot of spectacular SPS tanks where the SPS are rammed front to back with great colouration? (Usually under ATI fixtures from what i've seen).

Thank you for the detailed response though.

While it's only speculation but were those tanks bare bottom? If they had sand there's your answer, the light is reflecting off of it to the undersides of the coral thus lighting what us bare botom tanks are not. Have to take the good with the bad, your lights are super nice and as wazzel has stated several times if your coral are growing then be patient, make small changes in due time... you will get there.

 

[gex23]

I let the coralline grow on the back glass....now it's not black anymore...:rollface:

I think I might do the same:uhoh2:

While it's only speculation but were those tanks bare bottom? If they had sand there's your answer, the light is reflecting off of it to the undersides of the coral thus lighting what us bare botom tanks are not. Have to take the good with the bad, your lights are super nice and as wazzel has stated several times if your coral are growing then be patient, make small changes in due time... you will get there.

A lot of the stunning SPS tanks I see both on ReefCentral and UltimateReef are bare bottom tanks - here's just one example :

Well the SPS aren't dying - so that's a start......right?:crazy1:

 

[twon8]

It is very hard to keep sps happy alkalinity wise via water changes alone

 

[Wazzel]

Bare bottom or not, the under side of the coral will not be lit like the top side. Once your corals grow in there will be shaded areas no matter the light system.

And yes, keeping them alive is the first step. If you can not do that there is not much hope for growth and color.