Tricolors: How much light you giving them?

[Koralcrazy]

Hi All- My tricolor is my most stubborn coral, I believe it is a valida, anyways - use to have deep green base with deep purple tips. Now, the coral has white growth tips, that have a slight purple hue, and the base is more tan than green.

It is currently getting 300 PAR under a 250 watt radium.....tank is being heavily fed in an effort obtain the deep color back, but I am thinking it may need a combo of more food and less light....?

It is funny - browsing the forums - posts from 2011-2013 typically say feed more and give less light, while posts from prior to 2011, say pound it will all the light you have to get the purple back....I'm at lost with this coral!

Please share your experience with lighting amounts for this coral, location, your fixture, etc....pics are great too!

 

[Jeremy B.]

I have never had a tricolor (valida, secale, cerealis) that didn't love to get absolutely blasted with light. Of course those are just my experiences though.

Mine have loved 10k 250's and 400's anywhere in the tank, and higher up under 20k lamps.

 

[tripdad]

I have a tri-color Valida about 5 inches below T5's and get dark green base and deep purple tips. It seemed to grow better when I added light. Just for reference I have 4x39 watts over it. I have another right next to it and get tan base, purplish branch and dark blue tips.