Live Rock Color

C

CarolynM

I have had some live rock sitting in a 30 gallon hex tank for about 6 months. It was quite nice colored when I got it, and now is blah green. Not algae covered but not the nice crisp pinks and whites it was.

I was attributing the color loss to the lights which are just 2x28w pc. I'm looking to add a 96w quad or MH. Then I got to thinking, could it be the temperatures? I don't have a heater in this tank, so it is running at 68. I was planning on using this as a seahorse tank and low temps are good. I could boost it up to about 72-74 but that's as far as I'd like to go.

So what do you think is causing my loss of color? Lack of lighting, or temps?
 
I would say the temp is definately your problem. Coraline algae is normally in waters in the 80 degree range.

High wattage lights are not needed for coraline growth either. Coraline algae will actually grow and color up beautifully under Normal Output Fluorescent shop lights if you get the 5000 or 6500K bulbs.
 
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