Corals look brown

[ChrisK]

I'm new to the SPS world and have a few frags that just don't seem to have the same color as the did at the LFS. What is causing this? In the pictures below the corals were pinkish purple and the other a more definite green. My tank is 75 gallons, all water perameters are 0, Ph 8.0, calcium 425, Temp 76, good water flow and lighting is 2- 250w 10000k Hallides and 2- 110w blue Actinics. The lights are about 8" from the top of the tank.

[jojo22]

Pics didn't work bud. Could you try to post them again??

[Iconz]

From my readings, this is often a battle for aquarist who use Halides...

You essentialy have to find what is best for you... More color or more growth.

Simple explination:

The lower the kelvin rating... 12,000k, 10,000k, etc... the more growth.
The higher the kelvin rating... 14000k,16000k,20000k... the more color.

Often, the actinics don't put out enough light to give an effect. In fact, running a VHO or PC bulb closeby to a Halide bulb has been proven to shorten the life of both bulbs. This does not apply to T5 bulbs. I'll try to find the article on this for your reading pleasure.

It is up to you where your happy medium is.

Then again, this may not be your issue at all, it may be a health issue. But, I doubt it.

[jojo22]

I don't think lighting is the issue, unless the bulbs are really old. Many people run lighting very similar to his. If that caused a problem people wouldn't have such good results with these setups.

[ChrisK]

Sorry about the pics. I hope it works this time. I believe i'm getting really good growth but it's the color I'm really looking for. I know they will grow over time but it's the bright colors that make the tank look nice. Here are the pics, not the best but I hope they help.

[jojo22]

How long have you had them?? Where they all bright colors or just the polyps?
Do you know what type of lighting the LFS has, different Kelvin rateings will make corals flourese in different maners.

[ChrisK]

I've had the fixtures since early December 06. Everything is brand new. The LFS has 250 watt 14000k lights.

[jojo22]

May just be a difference in lighting. Do they appear otherwise healthy??

[hummer]

shouldent the ph be higher ?

could that be his problem?

can some one verifi this

[carpenterwrasse]

i have heard that sometimes the corals will need to adjust to the different lighting...meaning the lighting from the lfs to your lighting...it might just be a matter of time for it to acclimate to your lighting...