PPE Coloration

Dave3112 · Feb 15, 2011

Where do you place your PPE's in your tanks to get the best colors? I have tried a lot of different places and they just will not get colored up very well. They just kinda look dull in my tank. I have had this colony for about 9 months so it should have colored up by now LOL! Thanks in advance for the replies!!

tangboy · Feb 15, 2011

What kind of tank, lighting, circulation etc? A little info on what you have helps with answers

I too am curious about this as well

Dave3112 · Feb 15, 2011

OOPS!! Sorry I forgot! I have a 220 tank with 3x250w MH 20k raduims. 6x54w T5 Blue +. 2 MP40's and 2 MP10's for flow. Ca 450, Alk 9.5, Mg 1450 all Elos test kits. PH is 8.27 pinpoint PH monitor

Dave3112 · Feb 15, 2011

They are almost all the way down on the sand right now directly under the MH and are getting kind of low flow.

here is a picture for reference. See how they look washed out?

Wy Renegade · Feb 15, 2011

Dave most people I seen recommend keeping them up higher, about the midpoint. Personally I had mine all the way down almost on the sandbed under 14K 250s, and they had great color. Same now under t5s. Marvin made an interesting note on two different varieties being out there on page #2 in this thread that you might want to check out.

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/zoa-discussion-club-zoa/54064-ppe-slow-growers-2.html

Wy Renegade · Feb 15, 2011

Hhhhhmmmm . . . you sure those are PPE = Purple People Eaters? They look almost more like RPE to me, at least from the picture.

Dave3112 · Feb 15, 2011

No they are PPE. I just can't get the purple coloration to come out right in my pics. I have the RPE as well. LOL They are just really dull looking. I guess I have the kind that stay dull?! Now to find some OG ones that are bright! LOL

zoous · Feb 15, 2011

+1 on not looking like PPE in the pic.

Dave3112 · Feb 15, 2011

Here it is without the white balance adjusted. Just right out of the camera.

PR_Reefers · Feb 15, 2011

I keep mine on the lower right corner of my tank... about 24" from the lights... wich are 4 t5 and reefbrite 16 led strip... it always looks nice!!! here is a pic

Dave3112 · Feb 15, 2011

Ok here is a top down of the PPE so that you can see it actually is PPE.

And here is one of my RPE's for reference

mfinn · Feb 15, 2011

They are definitely ppe's.
I've seen many different color variations of the same polyp. Different lights, different water conditions, different tanks, different cameras, all contribute to different pictures.

evb · Feb 15, 2011

Dark purple, forest green skirts. 4 T-5's center of the tank on the bottom, moderate flow. 16-17" below light

MarvinsReef · Feb 15, 2011

try giving them an extra hour of just Blue+. let's see them after a few weeks.

Dave3112 · Feb 15, 2011

Thanks for the input! It looks like I need to move them back up about mid way in the tank and in more flow. Marvin, I only have my halides on for 6-7 hours and the blues on 11. Do you think it would help to give the blues more time?

MarvinsReef · Feb 15, 2011

Dave3112 said:
Thanks for the input! It looks like I need to move them back up about mid way in the tank and in more flow. Marvin, I only have my halides on for 6-7 hours and the blues on 11. Do you think it would help to give the blues more time?

hmmmm... that's actually enough time for blue's. try moving them up a little and leave them there for a few weeks. good luck.