Chalices under T5 owners check-in!!!

[Dooly]

Okay guys, I've been having a hard time keeping my chalices the color they are supposed to be..

I have a 120g 4'x2'x2' tank and most my chalices are on the bottom of the sandbed under 8 54watt t5's with SLR reflectors.. they seem to be losing alot of color and either going darker or alot lighter than they should be..

parameters are all fine..
calcium 450
alk 9.5
mag 1300
nitrate 0
phosphate 0.05

I put them at the bottom with low to moderate flow.. they are growing fine, but losing color.. any help would be appreciated..

I would like to see pictures of your T5 setup with chalices and the flow, location, and the bulb configuration you use to retain coloration. Thanks guys!

 

[sharklover]

I have T5's....

I keep them near the sandbed for growth, or up closer to the light for colors.
What your experiencing is not uncommon. They also bleach white blotches when a new eye spawns. Do you have any pics?

 

[Dooly]

so this is the opposite of bleaching due to intense lighting, they need more lighting under T5's (raised higher in the tank) for better coloration?

I will post pics in a bit..

which bulbs do you use?

I am running front to back;

super actinic
blue+
fiji purple
blue+
blue+
procolor
blue+
blue+

 

[inactive]

Ooo.. me!

 

[DML08]

I keep mine on the bottom of a 18" deep tank, 6x24w in med/high flow.. bulb line up
is Front.
Blue+
KZ Fiji purple
Blue+
aqua Blue special.
Blue+
aqua blue special.
here is a pic a a few..

 

[Dooly]

miami hurricane

and here is another miami hurricane I just picked up (what is SHOULD look like)

tyree "RED" watermelon (LOL at the color)

pink ******* (or orange *******?!)

these are ALL on the sandbed.. so if I should place them higher let me know!, I'll do it right away :)

 

[Dooly]

and here are a couple i just picked up, I do not want to lose the awesome coloration, where to place em!?

OG mummy eye

Bubblegum Monster

 

[reefdan]

the specs don't show it to be true but the pictures indicate to me that they need more light. your phosphates are also a little high for my taste

 

[CHALICEKEEPER]

Dont put them where you have the other one's. I dont have a problem with my t5's i get great color hmmmm how old are your bulbs?????

 

[Dooly]

im pretty sure my phosphates are acceptable as my SPS are doing awesome..

the faded/bleached looking chalices are scattered throughout my tank, but they are all on the bottom.. I change out the bulbs every 10 months or so.. I better try putting them halfway up in the tank and changing some bulbs out..

CHALICEKEEPER, which T5's do you run? can you give me specs on tank depth, flow, and bulb combo?

 

[seth&angelle]

I had a lot of lps lose color on me due to elevated phosphates. .05 isn't very high, but if I were you I would bring it down below .03 just to it eliminate as a possible cause.

 

[Dooly]

thing is, I have plenty of other LPS (acans, favia, scolymia) that are doing fine, as well as SPS that are doing exceptional.. just don't know whats going on here.

would like to know how often you guys are changing out the T5 bulbs as well.. thanks guys!

 

[DML08]

I just changed mine after 9 months.

 

[Dooly]

do you guys notice any discoloration of chalice after 8-9 months of using T5 bulbs without changing?

 

[inactive]

Yes, all my colors started to look like crap... except my ORA SPS.

 

[WilD ReeFer]

:nerd: simple fix ... bring them over my tank will fix them. I say maybe need new bulbs. Mine are doing great. The colors are improving after being under MH. Ill take some pic tomorrow

 

[inactive]

My tank is doing super sexy right now.

 

[Dooly]

LOL kraylen, can you list some details about your setup? which T5s do you run and where are your chalices placed?

 

[inactive]

55g AGA 4 footer.. 20 inches tall. 6x54w T5

Back to Front
Act+
Act+
Aquablue Special
Fiji Purple
Blue +
Blue +

Chalice are placed mid to bottom.

 

[CHALICEKEEPER]

im pretty sure my phosphates are acceptable as my SPS are doing awesome..

the faded/bleached looking chalices are scattered throughout my tank, but they are all on the bottom.. I change out the bulbs every 10 months or so.. I better try putting them halfway up in the tank and changing some bulbs out..

CHALICEKEEPER, which T5's do you run? can you give me specs on tank depth, flow, and bulb combo?

I HAVE A 75GAL, 2 KORALIA #4'S SO PRETTY GOOD FLOW, T5HO 48" 8X54 CURRENT NOVA EXTREME STOCK BULBS KEEP THEM ON FROM 11AM TO 7PM 1YEAR 2 MONTH OLD BULBS :tongue: EVERYTHING IS GROWING AND LOOKS GREAT HAVE ALOT ON SAND BED AND SOME IN THE ROCKS.