I have a coral color issue.

[jasno999]

FOr soem reason everyhting that I put in my tank turns into a light pinkish sort of color. Granted some of the corals that I have are naturally this color but others that are supposed to be blue or green al lturn pinkish.

I can't figure out what it is. I can only assume it is my lighting but still others I talk to don't have the same problems and they have less or similay lighthing. I need help.


My tank is this:

-10 gallon tank
-1 bio-sheel filter
-10-15 lbs of live rock (i forget)
-Few pounds of live sand
-Corlife 96 Watt power quad light fixture (w/ 10K bulb)

Live stock:
- 1 damsel (4-stripe)
- 1 Brittle star
- 2 Red leg hermits
- 2 blue leg hermits
- A bunch of naseriuth snails
- A mexican turbo snail
- 1 bubble coral
- 1 Zenia (pulsing) - now split into 3 seperate stalks.
- 1 Leather coral
- Several sand polyups (red and green)
- 1 trumpet coral with 5 heads (is supposed to be blue outer and green inner)
- 1 rock with several mushrooms that were supposed ot be green

The leather and zenia are pink naturally. However the mushroom and the trumpet corals where supposed to have some nice color. As soon as they were added to the tank they turned a redish or pinkis color. It seems liek the only coral able to maintain its color in my tank are polyups.

I can't figure out what it is but I suspect the light. I think I have enough light and that is nto the issue but maybe it is the type of light. Maybe the power compact jsut does not give off what is needed. My guess is that maybe the PC does nto put out any UV radiation- therfore the corals lose the protective UV coat that they have which protects them yst also gives them their nice coloring.

COuld that be the case?

If so what can I do to get the color back (I really don't want to go out and burchase a metal halid bulb and hood if I don't have to)

Let me know what oyu all think.

[Teeka01]

I am newer at this hobby then you are. My tank is 4 1/2 months old. But my guess is it is still your lights. By what I understand it not nessicary the watts per gallon but the spectrum of the light. If you don't want the add expense of MH lights, then what about T5's? By what I understand they are the next best thing to MH. Also post what your water parameters are.

[Teeka01]

Welcome to Frag Outpost.

[Teeka01]

Do you have anetecis lights? Sometime they bring out the pretty colors that you see.

[jasno999]

Teeka01 you should come join my board as well. COem check it out:

www.AquariumFriends.com


I will check my water parameters tonight before I do my water change which is needed along with an algae scrub on the glass.

[jasno999]

Water parameters:

Ammonia = 0.5ppm
Nitrite = 0ppm
Nitrate = 0ppm
PO4 = 0.1ppm
PH = 8.2
ALK = 5 meg/L or around 12KH


Water temperature right now is 82F

[D12monkey]

Teeka,

Are you sure you weren't some sort of marine biologist or pet store owner in a past life?


Jason, First off welcome. I'm thinking lighting also. How old are your bulbs and what brand are they, Depending on the brand and age the bulbs fall out of specturm faster or slower. When this happens, you either will get discoloration or algae growth in your thank.

[Teeka01]

No, I have just been doing alot of reading. And it is starting to sink in.

[jasno999]

Bulbs are from www.hellolights.com and they are less than 1 month old.