Green star polyp not that green

[clowntank]

Hi everyone, I’m new to reefing and just coming into my 5th week of my tank, and I got a GSP because I know they’re great for beginners and super colorful and beautiful (in my opinion). Problem with mine is that it’s barely green. My nitrates are from 0-5 ppm and phosphates are around 0.25ppm, and I’m running my lights at like 25% intensity (Ai prime 16 HD), but the coral opens fully every day and is spreading fast, just not super colorful. Any ideas?

P.S. please excuse the ugly stage sand!

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I would suggest to turn the lights up, 25% is pretty low. One of the reasons for a coral to appear brown is due to insufficient light. What size is your tank? My AI16 on my 15 gallon is at 70%

 

[oceanrider]

Agree, In regular light, they look pale , and on the seabed they are almost brownish with hint of green.

Turn up the blue actinic lights... and you will be good,

I turn down my white spectrum lights after just 2 or 3 hrs per day, and leave the blue lights on longer.

 

[clowntank]

I would suggest to turn the lights up, 25% is pretty low. One of the reasons for a coral to appear brown is due to insufficient light. What size is your tank? My AI16 on my 15 gallon is at 70%

Same exact size! Okay I considered that- just didn’t want to encourage even more algae growth but I guess I can’t really have it both ways. Thank you!

 

[clowntank]

Agree, In regular light, they look pale , and on the seabed they are almost brownish with hint of green.

Turn up the blue actinic lights... and you will be good,

I turn down my white spectrum lights after just 2 or 3 hrs per day, and leave the blue lights on longer.

That sounds great thank you so much. Sorry but which one of these blues qualifies for actinic?

 

[Miami Reef]

That sounds great thank you so much. Sorry but which one of these blues qualifies for actinic?

From UV to Blue is key. A good start to having a proper spectrum is to have all the UV to Blue slides at equal percenrages, and then equally turn red, green, and white to a level that is visually appealing to you.

For example: UV, Violet, Royal, and Blue at 30-40%

Red, Green, and Whites at 5-10%

 

[ninjamyst]

Be careful where you put it. It will grow so fast that it will take over the rock and if the rock is connected to another rock, it will keep spreading.