How long to color up?

[Merfin70]

I'm new to reefing (7 months) and even newer to SPS but I'm really enjoying it. I'm looking for some rough ideas on how long an SPS takes to color up. Most of our LFS have poor lighting and so frags are brown. For me, I think its cool to look for those hidden gems at cheap prices and see what they turn into.

My latest experiment is a frag I purchased for $20 that I think is a Purple Bonsai. This is the first time that I've bought something where I think I know what it should look like at the end (if it is what I think it is).

Now I'm wondering how long would be normal for me to see if indeed it is what I think it is?

[GPhiAce]

IME it depends on the conditions of the system. If everything is in good condition (Ca, Alk, MG, lighting, ph, trates, FLOW, etc) the colors start showing in about a month or so. But it just depends. I have been waiting for a milli to color up for about a month and a half with not much luck-- then again I have made a few changes. Good luck

[Merfin70]

The tank is stable and my parms are good. My other SPS are growing well and show good color. The only thing I'd wish for now is stronger lights as I have 150w MH +(2) t5. Might be nice to have a 250w but what's done is done for now.

While it might spoil my surprise, I did snap a few poor shots so I can track growth.

http://i508.photobucket.com/albums/s330/merfin70/20090102_0371.jpg

http://i508.photobucket.com/albums/s330/merfin70/20090102_0373.jpg

[dustinP]

looks like it has a really good chance it could be a garf bonsai

[OnlyCrimson]

I bought a table once that took 8 months to color up.

[zdawgnight]

A friend gave me an unknown frag that was totally brown. After about 2 months my growth tips are blue and the color seems to be slowly spreading. It has to be one of the most rewarding parts of the hobby that you cant share with lps guys.

[Tc269]

I bought a coral the size of my hand for $20 one time it was brown with a little blueish green tint to it and it has turned out completly purple now with blue poylps a coral I have never seen before completly agree this is something you cant do with the LPS people

[jaxspsreef]

thats a nice looking piece you picked up. from my experience it varies from tank to tank, by the looks of your other corals it should colorup nicely in your reef.

[fishypets]

With my old tank that had metal halides it would take weeks, even months for sps to color up. With my new tank (ATI 10X54) browned out corals color up in days. :)