garf purple bonsai

firemansac · 09/20/2010, 02:15 PM

Do any of you have any purple bonsai? I have had a piece for about 7 months and it doesnt get that vibrant purple that I was looking for. I have tried it at all levels in my tank. If yours is vibrant what are you doing?
frank

HV1990 · 09/20/2010, 02:22 PM

tagging along

iriejp1 · 09/20/2010, 02:23 PM

My new growth is pretty vibrant. I noticed it improved when I got my Nitrates to come down a bit and got my chemistry straightened out. Lights and placement didnt seem to have too big an impact prior to that.

FWIW, I have mine up relatively high under Radiums (Phoenix prior to that) and in good flow.

-Joel

Quote:

Originally Posted by firemansac

Do any of you have any purple bonsai? I have had a piece for about 7 months and it doesnt get that vibrant purple that I was looking for. I have tried it at all levels in my tank. If yours is vibrant what are you doing?
frank

firemansac · 09/20/2010, 02:27 PM

i havent had any problems with nitrates according to all of the testing i have done as well as lfs. My flow is substantial. I have great polyp extension just a dull purple though. chemistry seems to be fine other than calcium swings due to such explosive growth on all my other coral. 250watt halides. I just don't have the purple like the pictures. whhhhaaaaaaaa

HV1990 · 09/20/2010, 02:30 PM

150 MH frank.

RiOnRoxXx · 09/20/2010, 02:34 PM

I noticed the same thing, dull purple on the "older" parts but new growth is right bright purple. Just wish it was the whole coral itself.

I have mine half way down on a 250watt Phoenix 14k.

mpoletti · 09/20/2010, 03:01 PM

This coral is frustrating for a lot of people. You need very very low phospates, but you still need nutrients in the tank. The coral also loves light. I've seen it look much better under 400 watt tanks than 250's.

iriejp1 · 09/20/2010, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpoletti

This coral is frustrating for a lot of people. You need very very low phospates, but you still need nutrients in the tank. The coral also loves light. I've seen it look much better under 400 watt tanks than 250's.

Didnt have any effect in my case. But now that you mention it...Aqua Life has one in their big display under 400w Radiums. It was looking pretty good.

Side note: A lot of the other corals in the tank dont look as good. They're bleached...

firemansac · 09/20/2010, 04:02 PM

all of my other corals and livestock are growing like crazy so this one piece must be tempermental. not giving up hope thanks for the advice

Paulca916 · 09/20/2010, 05:59 PM

I have to agree with Mark.
When my Phosphate were higher (0.25 Hanna) mine was pale at best since lowering my phosphates (0.00 -0.03) mine has colored up nicely I also raised it up higher in the tank (under 250 Watt Radium's on Galaxy Ballast) and that seemed to help.
I'm on my 3rd one lost other 2 last year this last one is doing fine other than slow growth.

Prince916 · 09/20/2010, 06:02 PM

Mine turned purple after getting lower light due to other sps over growing it cuasing it to be in a shaded area and lower phosphate level.

pcfish · 09/21/2010, 07:40 PM

I Got a browned out Garf bonsai about 9 months ago from a friend of mine I could never got it to color up in my main 210 display lighting 3x 250 double ended 14k phoenix lamps.I had to move a month ago and have it a temp 180 gallon rubber maid tub with a 6 lamp tek t-5 fixter and this is what it looks like now after a month under the t-5's Also did not move any of my sand with me just the live rock

Underwaterparadise · 09/21/2010, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpoletti

This coral is frustrating for a lot of people. You need very very low phospates, but you still need nutrients in the tank. The coral also loves light. I've seen it look much better under 400 watt tanks than 250's.

+1

P04 as close to 0 as possible IME

firemansac · 09/21/2010, 09:26 PM

thats the crazy thing is according to my test kit, which i do every week sometimes twice a week all of my peramiters are in acceptable ranges and have been for almost the whole time. and my brother was right the bulb is only a 150 watt. all of my other montis and acros are growing like weeds, like I said this must be a very tempermental piece. I moved it to a different position in the tank so i'll let yall know...
thanks for the help
frank

Paulca916 · 09/22/2010, 12:17 PM

Frank what PO4 test kit are you using ?
I was using ELOS and showing very low PO4 level's but my SPS were not coloring up that well.
So a friend tested my PO4 with his Hanna HC 713 PO4 checker my PO4 was at 0.25 big difference from the reading I was getting from my ELOS kit between 0.01 and well below 0.05 closer to 0.01.
I went out and got the Hanna tester and very happy I did.
LMK if you and Hugo want to stop by bring a water sample I would be happy to test your PO4 with my meter to give you an idea where your PO4 level is at.

qbical · 09/22/2010, 12:19 PM

i just gave a huge piece of this away to someone that has a straight-up SPS tank. Mine was growing great, but the color was just awful other then the very tips. mine was at the VERY top of the tank w/ 150w MH. i am hoping it will do better in my friends tank
good luck

firemansac · 09/22/2010, 02:12 PM

I use reefmaster. And have had it tested with a friends elos kit they read the same. I also run phosban in my box filter.

09/20/2010, 02:15 PM	#1
firemansac Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 339	garf purple bonsai Do any of you have any purple bonsai? I have had a piece for about 7 months and it doesnt get that vibrant purple that I was looking for. I have tried it at all levels in my tank. If yours is vibrant what are you doing? frank

09/20/2010, 02:34 PM	#6
RiOnRoxXx Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Stockton, CA. Posts: 2,302	I noticed the same thing, dull purple on the "older" parts but new growth is right bright purple. Just wish it was the whole coral itself. I have mine half way down on a 250watt Phoenix 14k. __________________ -Ryan

09/20/2010, 03:01 PM	#7
mpoletti You'll never walk alone Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sacramento, Ca Posts: 17,786	This coral is frustrating for a lot of people. You need very very low phospates, but you still need nutrients in the tank. The coral also loves light. I've seen it look much better under 400 watt tanks than 250's. __________________ -Mark I believe... The curse is a reality

09/20/2010, 05:59 PM	#10
Paulca916 Retired Reefer ;-) Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Roseville Ca 95661 Posts: 2,881	I have to agree with Mark. When my Phosphate were higher (0.25 Hanna) mine was pale at best since lowering my phosphates (0.00 -0.03) mine has colored up nicely I also raised it up higher in the tank (under 250 Watt Radium's on Galaxy Ballast) and that seemed to help. I'm on my 3rd one lost other 2 last year this last one is doing fine other than slow growth. __________________ I can think of worse addiction's to have Current Tank Info: Boxes of reef equipment

09/22/2010, 12:17 PM	#15
Paulca916 Retired Reefer ;-) Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Roseville Ca 95661 Posts: 2,881	Frank what PO4 test kit are you using ? I was using ELOS and showing very low PO4 level's but my SPS were not coloring up that well. So a friend tested my PO4 with his Hanna HC 713 PO4 checker my PO4 was at 0.25 big difference from the reading I was getting from my ELOS kit between 0.01 and well below 0.05 closer to 0.01. I went out and got the Hanna tester and very happy I did. LMK if you and Hugo want to stop by bring a water sample I would be happy to test your PO4 with my meter to give you an idea where your PO4 level is at. __________________ I can think of worse addiction's to have Current Tank Info: Boxes of reef equipment

09/20/2010, 02:22 PM	#2
HV1990 Still confused Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Sacramento CA Posts: 1,472	tagging along

09/20/2010, 02:27 PM	#4
firemansac Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 339	i havent had any problems with nitrates according to all of the testing i have done as well as lfs. My flow is substantial. I have great polyp extension just a dull purple though. chemistry seems to be fine other than calcium swings due to such explosive growth on all my other coral. 250watt halides. I just don't have the purple like the pictures. whhhhaaaaaaaa

09/20/2010, 02:30 PM	#5
HV1990 Still confused Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Sacramento CA Posts: 1,472	150 MH frank.

09/20/2010, 04:02 PM	#9
firemansac Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 339	all of my other corals and livestock are growing like crazy so this one piece must be tempermental. not giving up hope thanks for the advice

09/20/2010, 06:02 PM	#11
Prince916 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 553	Mine turned purple after getting lower light due to other sps over growing it cuasing it to be in a shaded area and lower phosphate level.

09/21/2010, 07:40 PM	#12
pcfish Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Livermore,CA Posts: 686	I Got a browned out Garf bonsai about 9 months ago from a friend of mine I could never got it to color up in my main 210 display lighting 3x 250 double ended 14k phoenix lamps.I had to move a month ago and have it a temp 180 gallon rubber maid tub with a 6 lamp tek t-5 fixter and this is what it looks like now after a month under the t-5's Also did not move any of my sand with me just the live rock

09/21/2010, 09:26 PM	#14
firemansac Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 339	thats the crazy thing is according to my test kit, which i do every week sometimes twice a week all of my peramiters are in acceptable ranges and have been for almost the whole time. and my brother was right the bulb is only a 150 watt. all of my other montis and acros are growing like weeds, like I said this must be a very tempermental piece. I moved it to a different position in the tank so i'll let yall know... thanks for the help frank

09/22/2010, 12:19 PM	#16
qbical Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 79	i just gave a huge piece of this away to someone that has a straight-up SPS tank. Mine was growing great, but the color was just awful other then the very tips. mine was at the VERY top of the tank w/ 150w MH. i am hoping it will do better in my friends tank good luck __________________ 29G Biocube 150w MH + x1 18w 10k and x1 18w atinic skimmer Current Tank Info: 29g Oceanic Biocube

09/22/2010, 02:12 PM	#17
firemansac Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 339	I use reefmaster. And have had it tested with a friends elos kit they read the same. I also run phosban in my box filter.