What do sps look like when it does not have enough light?

[smokey30]

I have a 6 bulb 36" t5 for my 50 gallon tank. I am trying to figure out if I have my lights low enough for my corals. A lot of my corals have very faint muted colors and I am trying to figure out if I should lower my light. Right now I have it about 6inches above the top rim of the tank. So if anyone can give me some insight into what corals mainly sps will do with not enough light

thnx
anthony

 

[SantaCruzReefer]

SPS corals often will turn pale with too much light. There are also a whole ton of other possibilities to why they're pale. If you're concerned they're turning pale beause of too little light, they usually turn brown. I'd raise the light and see if they get their color back.

 

[kcooley]

what combo of bulbs are you using?

 

[smokey30]

4 blue plus
1 purple plus
1 aquablue special

 

[Brian Chong]

colors will fade to brown

 

[Brian Chong]

and turn green

 

[smokey30]

One of the reason why I am asking this question is because I have a GARF bonsai its about half way up the tank so its about 15" inches from the light source and only the tips have color and the rest of it is a creamy white color and it has its nice green polyps. I was thinking that it was due to low nutrients but I feed my corals almost every night with phyto feast and feed my fish twice a week. Its been in my tank for the better part of a year and I would assume that with this light it should show more color.

 

[collie man]

I have a purple nana that is similar they guy i got it form had it under a 20k 250 and i have a 14k 15 with two ATI B+'s

 

[collie man]

(The guy i got it from)* i got excited.

 

[Brian Chong]

One of the reason why I am asking this question is because I have a GARF bonsai its about half way up the tank so its about 15" inches from the light source and only the tips have color and the rest of it is a creamy white color and it has its nice green polyps. I was thinking that it was due to low nutrients but I feed my corals almost every night with phyto feast and feed my fish twice a week. Its been in my tank for the better part of a year and I would assume that with this light it should show more color.

you should definitely lower it gradually.