red planet light requirement

icemountain · Nov 13, 2012

My red planet frag is current green with a hint of red. I have seen some amazing all red red planets and was wondering how high or low lighting do they need to get that coloration?

I currently have leds that are only running at 100% for 3 hrs of the day with the remainder ramping up from sunrise and down to sunset. Its placed mid level of a 21" deep tank with leds sitting about 5" above water surface.

Loki · Nov 13, 2012

I have mine about 4" under the water directly under 8 T5's.

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BigJohnWoody · Nov 13, 2012

Tagging along because mine is very green and doesn't grow at all.

icemountain · Nov 13, 2012

Mine is growing quite fast but I just would like it to be red.

jedimasterben · Nov 13, 2012

3x 250w 14K Hamiltons, the colony is between the two left halides.

(btw that's not my stuff, but a friends')

Clearwater · Nov 13, 2012

Nice colony Jedi master. I have mine 4 inches under he surface and have great plating. Just waiting for it to blow up. Patience

icemountain · Nov 13, 2012

Is that a huge clam I see in there??? That is a nice looking colony.

I'm going to try moving it up higher and see what happens.

jedimasterben · Nov 13, 2012

yeah, she is about 30 inches. he calls her bog bertha lol

k2parkstar · Nov 13, 2012

Higher light should give you more red.

m88a2 · Nov 14, 2012

higher light = more red. less light = greener base

icemountain · Nov 14, 2012

I just moved it about 4" higher. Its now about 4" from water surface. Lets see if that helps with the color.

.Marshall · Nov 14, 2012

I think nutrients should be talked about as well.. because I have mine about 8" from the water level and about 4" from 6 T5s and mine is nice and red with NO green.

I have .00ppm Phosphate (hanna) and .00 NO3 (API) I would like to see if the red and green has something to do with nutrients.

SeahorseKeeper · Nov 14, 2012

.Marshall said:
I think nutrients should be talked about as well.. because I have mine about 8" from the water level and about 4" from 6 T5s and mine is nice and red with NO green.

I have .00ppm Phosphate (hanna) and .00 NO3 (API) I would like to see if the red and green has something to do with nutrients.

You bring up a very valid point. I'm interested in what others have to say about this. I just got a red planet 2 weeks ago and it seems to be filling in with more red.

tst400 · Nov 14, 2012

Before a major tank crash i kept mine un high light and high flow and it was dark red with long polyps

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Batt · Nov 15, 2012

Ok first you guys need to know what your par levels are , because to much light will turn a red planet pink. I like the 250 par range for a red planet because you get that nice green base and bright red polyps if you get it in a 350 to 400 par you will get all red no green base . anything higher will give you loose of red and that pink look. Now some one said slow growth . Well you need to look into your parameter's . If there not stable at all you will get very slow growth . Stability is key for growth in SPS.