Will the color come back under better lighting?

[o0xerog0o]

This may be a topic discussed thousands of times on here, but I can never get the search to work, and I've browsed pages of topics to no avail...

Right now, I have two different kinds of zoa's in my 5.5, don't know the names of them, but the most predominant should be orange, with a green mouth, and the others were blue with an orange mouth when I bought them. The lighting over my tank is a 27W compact fluorescent, and they've turned to a brownish orange color since being put in. They still open and close, which leads me to believe they are healthy, so I figure it's just my lighting.

My new tank will have (2) 36" VHO's - (1) Actinic 01 and (1) Actinic 03. Will this lighting help to bring the color back to my zoa's, or are they doomed to a life of boring color? Also, will this lighting be enough to support other zoa's I may get in the future and let them retain their color? Thanks

 

[o0xerog0o]

Unless...

I just ran across this on fragswapper, and I need opinions.

heres a nice lighting fixture with the bulbs ( 2 actin 2 actnic white) the bulbs are kinda old and it needs a ballast. $50

What are your thoughts? Good deal?

 

[o0xerog0o]

Well, according to all of the information I've received from other forums, I think I may go with this deal instead... http://www.fishneedit.com/t5ho-3ft--4lamp-aquarium-light.html

(4)T-5 HO's instead of (2)VHO's. Now.... opinions on that setup bringing my color back to my zoa's?

 

[coralfarm123]

How big is the new tank? A good combination of T-5s should give you pretty nice colors and restore any color you may have lost provided all other needs are met.

 

[jonathanws]

there area lot of factors in this. just make sure your tank specs are properly maintained. if the zoas don't like the new light you can always move them down, but i'm willing to bet they'll color up a bit again

 

[ricordeanut]

I have also seen to much light cause color loss!!

 

[o0xerog0o]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12297602#post12297602 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by coralfarm123
How big is the new tank? A good combination of T-5s should give you pretty nice colors and restore any color you may have lost provided all other needs are met.

The new tank is 36x12x16, length x depth x height. Thanks for the input everyone. I've had pretty good luck so far with my 5.5 gallon keeping all my levels in check, so I'm hoping a 30 gallon will go just as easy, and the zoa's will look happy again.