URS Red Planet vs. Atlantis Ruby Red Acro

[diverdick]

Just like the title says, the picture (crappy as it is) shows a Red Planet (purchased from John Progno at the Marine Oasis) next to a piece I bought two years ago from Atlantis on the left coast. The Atlantis piece was sold as "Ruby Red Acro". Now, the reason it is sooooo small for a two year old coral frag (that started as a 1/2" frag btw) it fell behind some rock work and was signed off as a loss until ~ 6 months ago. I have recovered it and from the nastiest looking, half dead sps you can imagine to what you see on the left. As it matures and grows, it looks like the twin to the URS Red Planet I have from John. You be the judge. Looks like they branded Red Planet as Atl Ruby Red.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

are you sure John didn't sell you ORA Red Planet?

In any event those two Acros appear very similar......

 

[diverdick]

John cut a piece for me from his sub level private stock. I am not sure if it is URS or ORA (the same?) I plan to leave these two pieces side by side to evaluate. I also have an "official" (LMAO) ORA Red Planet in another tank to compare to some day. Bad news is the lighting on that is different than the two pictured. BTW, the two red acros pictured are under brandy new Radium bulbs. Prior to Thursday, all my MH's were 20k XM's. I was in the experimental mode and decided to try a year with 20k Radiums. First look is they are whiter than XM's. Time will tell.

 

[diverdick]

PS: They are great at the Marine Oasis. I wish I was closer so I could return the favors more often.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

please keep updating this thread because I'm sure those corals will develop a different coloration under Radiums.

 

[oneradtek202]

woohoo for switching to radiums lol

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

woohoo for switching to radiums lol

ummm.. Rich might not like Radiums. Especially if he's not running the 250's on their HQI ballast. Besides, the Radiums will turn "Red Planet" blue-green.

 

[diverdick]

They are burning on Icecaps - newer models

Time will tell with the coloration. I do prefer the bluer look though.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

howzit lookin'?

 

[dan10342]

ummm.. Rich might not like Radiums. Especially if he's not running the 250's on their HQI ballast. Besides, the Radiums will turn "Red Planet" blue-green.

wait radiums turns red planet blue-green?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

wait radiums turns red planet blue-green?

the generalized answer to your question is yes.

If you want 'Red Planet' to stay red on red grow it under intense lower kelvin lighting.

 

[diverdick]

howzit lookin'?

So far the coloration has remained the same. I will get the camera out this weekend (time permitting) and get some updated shots.

Generally speaking, I believe my 125 is over-lit. Both of these corals are very close to the top and ultimately to the light. If I were to place them again, it would be a bit lower - say mid tank. Overall they are healthy and red/pink near the coralite base and a tinge of green at he very base f the URS piece.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

update

update

John sold another frag of this coral years ago to a fellow named Chuck who recently brought his colony into MO.

This is the "red planet" Acropora (I'm positive about that!) but species ID remains a mystery.