A. Valida questions

SamMule · Jun 29, 2021

I have this small colony of what looks like a tricolor valida. It is growing like crazy, but is unfortunately encroaching on my little A. Horrida(I think) that has finally started taking off. One of them will have to move, and given the reputation of Horrida, I think moving the valida is the better choice.
Also, it has gone from purple/blue base with green swirls and cream tips to basically purple with blue tips. Green swirls are all but gone. Lighting has increased over the course of this growth and change, so I'm not sure if the change is due to lighting or just normal growth and development.

Question is: Will moving it lower bring the green swirls and more intense blue back?

3/22:

Today:

Ocelaris · Jun 30, 2021

Valida is a fast grower. Usually when they're colony size you'll start to see their true colors. My experience is that a whiter spectrum will bring out the blues. Green is often from lower light levels, so theoretically yes, lower light would give you green with slower growth. But watch out as that one will keep getting bigger and bigger. Move it now if you're not happy making that your prime center piece. I always start out with cheaper pieces, they encrust and a year or two later I regret giving them prime real estate. So think of the long game. I moved a wet thumbs mother of pearl 6" colony repeatedly because it was brown. Now it's in a mediocre spot and finally at least the tips are the right color. Once it's a good colony it can tolerate lower light, it's just the small frags that don't have a big enough surface area that struggle with lower lights; at least that's how I approach it.

SamMule · Jul 11, 2021

I moved it to the other side of the tank. Slightly lower PAR. Maybe 400ish.
Looks like the blue is coming back. I think I see some green showing up in more spots too.

Perry · Jul 12, 2021

Sam,
Here is a full spectrum representation of mine, just starting to take off. Since I run t5, I can raise or lower fixture to dial in intensity. This piece is mid upper level, 22" roughly under lamps. With my fixture 8" above water.