Does 20K color up all SPS?

[BradR]

Got some frags from Reefer Madness, some are awesome some are brown.
Was wondering if most brown SPS will turn the blue/red/green/purple colors we are all looking for under 20K's. Should I got out of my way to get frags from other folks tanks that are already colored up as opposed to wild frags if the cool colors are wanted?

[Wrench]

Aquacultured corals are going to color up faster because they're already acclimated and adapted to living in captivity. Wild corals can be finicky and can take a long time to take hold and color up. Also as a general rule, 20k lights have a lot less PAR than a 10k and without enough light the corals will brown out.

[mpoletti]

RM also runs 1000 watt lamps on some systems. IME, water quality is more important that the stectrum of bulbs.

As stated, Wild pieces brown out a lot easier than from another reefer that has been already established.

[BradR]

So if I buy brown SPS it will often stay brown despite being under 20K lights and with good water?

[BradR]

er 400W 20 K lights that is...

[mpoletti]

Yep. IME, its about 50/50 that they will stay brown. I stopped buying ocean chopped up pieces for that reason. They will always change on you, and for the most part, not for the good.

[BradR]

Ok, thanks much for the info!