what is responsible for color

[Allmost]

Hello all

so I have some Softies in my seahorse tank, one is a kenya tree coral, which was florcent green when I got it, 3 months later, it has grown but its not as green anymore and went towards brownish !!! what could be the ISsue ? feeding ? flow ? lighting ?

lighting is 2 T5 H), one actinic one day light.

system is ULNS ! running on Zeo with no n and p.

the flow in the seahorse tank is really low.

any advice is appreciated.

 

[Hormigaquatica]

Its most likely your lighting. Many 'non-brown' soft corals require relatively intense light in order to maintain that coloration. If light levels are too low, the coral will darken up, allowing it to collect more light.
If you were to move the coral to a different tank with lighting at least twice the intensity its under now, you may regain some of that green eventually.

 

[tate1]

+1^^^

 

[Allmost]

Hmm, I see ! thanks, right now there are 2 T5 HO on the tank, with 4 T5 I can grow SPS ! so are u saying some soft corals require just as much light as SPS?

are there any papers on soft corals and lighting ?

when I purchased it, it was under 1 T8 light ! but perhaps just got there ...

feeding only contributes to growth right ? cause the system is ULNS and they dont have much to eat I'm sure besides the seahorse poop

 

[enasco]

Hi Allmost,

Yes, I agree with the others its definitely a lighting issue. I've also noticed in some corals were they are very pale that also can be contributed to low lighting, but can also in that case sometimes be low PH, Cal, etc.

In your case and the type of coral its not the ladder, but definitely lighting. Try placing it as high as possible or increase your light output.

enasco

 

[Allmost]

okay thank you all

I'm gonna try adding another T5 HO fixture I have liying around so total would be 4 T5 HO. will post back how it went

 

[enasco]

Great! That will do it.

Good luck and keep us informed how it went, also if possible some pictures will help us too.

enasco

 

[kingfisher62]

3 months later, it has grown but its not as green anymore and went towards brownish !!!

I have personally never seen a florescent green kenya. Mine have always been a pinkish brown. Any chance of the coral being dyed?

I would love to see before and after pics? Other than the color it looks
healthy , right?