Who Gives A Fish Forums

I've been running actinic lights for a few months now, but my corals aren't showing the colors I expected. Tank is a 40-gallon with two AI Prime HDs, set to 12 hours a day. Parameters are stable, 8.2 pH, 1.025 salinity, 0 nitrates. Any tips?

Yo, maybe crank up the blues? My Zoas pop way more when I dial in the blue spectrum. Also, how old are your bulbs? They can lose intensity over time.

Actinic lighting can be tricky. What's your PAR reading? Corals like Acros need intense light, but softer ones like Mushrooms might bleach. I'd check your light's output with a PAR meter if you can.

Flare9 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 28, 2025 6:38 am Yo, maybe crank up the blues? My Zoas pop way more when I dial in the blue spectrum. Also, how old are your bulbs? They can lose intensity over time.

Yeah, Flare9's got a point. My old bulbs were trash after a year. Swapped 'em out and boom, colors came back.

Actinic lighting is more about spectrum than duration. Try reducing the photoperiod to 8 hours but increase the intensity during peak hours. Also, ensure your magnesium levels are around 1350 ppm, it's crucial for color expression.

I've heard some folks add UV LEDs to their setup. Does that help with color, or is it just hype?

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll try adjusting the spectrum and check my magnesium levels.

luminas wrote: ↑Mon Jul 28, 2025 10:07 am I've heard some folks add UV LEDs to their setup. Does that help with color, or is it just hype?

UV can enhance fluorescence, but it's not a magic bullet. It's more effective when combined with proper nutrient control and stable params.

For real, stability is key. My tank was all over the place until I got an ATO. Now my corals are chill and colorful.

Anyone tried those fancy LED strips with customizable spectrums? I'm tempted to upgrade but don't wanna waste cash if they're sketchy.