Can SPS have great coloration using only blue lighting

[ReefAddict16]

I like the look of my tank with all blues but I have some sps that I wouldn’t want to lose their “rainbow” coloration. Would the color remain the same with just blue lighting?

 

[bif24701]

It’s possible yea. Jason Fox grows his corals under actinic and blue LEDs/T5s.

 

[reefer7]

T5? Or LED?

 

[ReefAddict16]

Led’s. Ap700 specifically.

 

[mike werner]

some colors will vanish totally under blue.imo I want a natural looking lighted system ,not the black light look I had in the 70"s.why don't ya put the blue only look on for a few hours after dinner or when ever you watch it the most.

 

[ReefAddict16]

some colors will vanish totally under blue.imo I want a natural looking lighted system ,not the black light look I had in the 70"s.why don't ya put the blue only look on for a few hours after dinner or when ever you watch it the most.

Yeah I’ve been having the blues on 2 hours before and after. Whites on while I’m at work. Just wondering if it’s possible.

 

[BigJohnny]

It’s possible yea. Jason Fox grows his corals under actinic and blue LEDs/T5s.

Well actinic isn't all blue.

 

[bif24701]

Well actinic isn't all blue.

....

 

[BigJohnny]

I like the look of my tank with all blues but I have some sps that I wouldn’t want to lose their “rainbow” coloration. Would the color remain the same with just blue lighting?

No, some corals require other colors to express all their natural pigments. Check out dans riddles research.

 

[BigJohnny]

....

You said it's possible, Jason fox runs only actinic and blue. So he's not just running all blue.

 

[bif24701]

You said it's possible, Jason fox runs only actinic and blue. So he's not just running all blue.

It’s not you, it’s that every reply I’ve posted today has been nick picked.

You are correct Sir BigJohnny.

 

[BigJohnny]

It’s not you, it’s that every reply I’ve posted today has been nick picked.

You are correct Sir BigJohnny.

Oh I'm sorry man I wasn't trying to be like that! I just wanted to clarify for the OP. I guess it depends is he literally asking blue led like single wavelength or blue overall which could include actinic, uv, violet, etc.

 

[BigJohnny]

Let me clarify, you CAN grow coral and have good coloration possiblu with only blue light, but not all the coloration it's capable of. Health and growth are another topic entirely.

 

[ReefAddict16]

Let me clarify, you CAN grow coral and have good coloration possiblu with only blue light, but not all the coloration it's capable of. Health and growth are another topic entirely.

Okay thanks. That’s what I’ve been wondering. Leaving whites on it is.

 

[bif24701]

Okay thanks. That’s what I’ve been wondering. Leaving whites on it is.

450nm, 420nm and 380nm are the primary wavelength of blueish T5s and LEDs that promotes the best color and growth. The whites on LED fixtures also can add to this but primarily the blues. Most important function of the whiter channels is to balance the appearance of your display to suite your liking. If you want to use only blue channels that’s fine too. Like I said JF doesn’t use white in most of his lighting setups.

 

[ReefAddict16]

450nm, 420nm and 380nm are the primary wavelength of blueish T5s and LEDs that promotes the best color and growth. The whites on LED fixtures also can add to this but primarily the blues. Most important function of the whiter channels is to balance the appearance of your display to suite your liking. If you want to use only blue channels that’s fine too. Like I said JF doesn’t use white in most of his lighting setups.

Which setting of blue do you use on your ap700 at what height and intensity?

 

[hart24601]

Yep, you sure can!


If you like actinic only then run it! Things will do fine. As some others have stated be sure the coral fluoresces before you buy it under actinic otherwise it won’t generally ever and there are quite a few popular corals that don’t.

 

[ReefAddict16]

Yep, you sure can!


If you like actinic only then run it! Things will do fine. As some others have stated be sure the coral fluoresces before you buy it under actinic otherwise it won’t generally ever and there are quite a few popular corals that don’t.

I purchased a Walt Disney acro that browned out from high nutrients. Will it get it’s original colors back from blues only?
Also do you run any whites on your tank?

 

[hart24601]

It will regain colors once the chemistry is dialed in.

I have run actincs only for a few months before just for fun. Didn’t really notice any changes. I like a 15-18k look overall, but I have had picos under actincs only.

 

[bif24701]

Which setting of blue do you use on your ap700 at what height and intensity?

3rd Blue, about 8-9” from water, and 90% for 8 hours. I also have a couple T5s also on 8 hours.