Brown Acros???

[xcorallusx]

yea definately not phosphates .001-.007 will still get growth and colors. Your problem is your fixture and choice of bulbs. You have a lot of blue/actinic. I would recommend at least a 6 bulb T-5 fixture, but since you have a 90, 2 250 metal halides would be better. You can also try the LED route but thats going to be more expensive. I personally am not a fan of having t5s because each bulb is 15-20 bux and if you want to grow sps youre going to need 6-10 bulbs and they need to be replaced yearly. Your other corals are doing great because they dont require as much light as Acros.

 

[Dowtish]

I have done my research on various lighting, and I know that halides will definitely grow coral sufficiently, I just don't like the extra heat and having to use a chiller. I know t5's will work for growing acros, it's just have the right amount of them, and the correct combination. I am pretty much sold on the LED's that I have seen a few friends have done themselves. But that is a big investment and I will screw them for sure if I do it. So I am officially on the hunt for a decent 6 bulb fixture. I would love to go eight, but I have a bow front tank and I think the dimensions won't work.

 

[cee]

I know it is a cliche answer, but I think your lighting is bit weak. A 4 bulb T5 fixture might not cut it for optimal color in acros, especially since 2 of your bulbs are actinics. I would much prefer a 6 bulb ATI or any 8 bulb unit over a tank of that size and depth. HTH

I've kept colorful SPS for years and this comment wins the kewpie doll!

 

[Dowtish]

I just had to look up what a kewpie doll was...:neutral:

 

[mixer911]

Lighting sounds like it to me as well. I have had SPS grow and color up fine with P04 above .03, they were under 400w radiums Time also will make colors come in, especially with acros.

 

[Dowtish]

Lighting sounds like it to me as well. I have had SPS grow and color up fine with P04 above .03, they were under 400w radiums Time also will make colors come in, especially with acros.

So Rick, when are you going to build me some led's? Hahaha

sent from chris using my unsmart phone

 

[Dowtish]

Just ordered 2 new ATI coral plus bulbs today from BRS. Product Description:

The latest in T5 bulb technology from ATI lighting, this is a great stand-alone bulb to stimulate coral growth. Its color spectrum falls between that of the Aquablue Special and the Blue Plus. This white lamp has a higher blue emphasis to enhance the fluorescent pigments in your corals while still having some peaks of red and green.
​

We'll see how that works in combination with my 2 geissmens aqua blue plus(daylights). I also have 3 blue power brite LED strips to supplement.

 

[bpeck]

I have done my research on various lighting, and I know that halides will definitely grow coral sufficiently, I just don't like the extra heat and having to use a chiller.

I have a 250w MH 8" above water and don't need a chiller on my 50. $5 walmart fan in canopy and one in sump. 78* all day long and my heater even kicks on everyonce in a while if it goes below 78*.

 

[Dowtish]

I have a 250w MH 8" above water and don't need a chiller on my 50. $5 walmart fan in canopy and one in sump. 78* all day long and my heater even kicks on everyonce in a while if it goes below 78*.

I have a 90 gallon, so i would need more than one MH, and it's a bowfront, so finding a canopy for my dimensions is almost impossible, much less build one, unless I want to spend big money, which is not going to happen. If I went with a MH, it would have to be a all in one fixture with fans and T5's to supplement