Mushroom's fading colors

[drew1092]

Recently I purchased a nice rock of an iridescent blue color hairy mushroom. The guy I got it from has very nice MH lighting over his setup and his water is very clean. When I got them home after a couple days they faded to a reddish brown color. I don't feel they are unhappy, as they have tripled in size. I did try feeding once with coral frenzy, but I really hate that stuff as it seems like it would foul your tank pretty quick. Originally after acclimating, I placed it on the sand bed, then moved it up about half way up the tank on a shelf. I thought maybe it needed more light. I have PC's 65 wattx2. Water quality and pH are good, though nitrates are about 5-10. This is also a new tank, only 2 months old. Any suggestions or tips on making the colors pop? Am I possibly doing something wrong or not doing something? The shrooms do have a hint of color left in the veins around the mouth. Thanks!

[cutietwo]

well metal halide really does make colors pop...more than PC. If you have any actinic it will help a little, but really I think it's the metal Halide lighting, really makes colors pop. if the shrooms seem happy and are big I wouldn't worry about it.

[drew1092]

Great! Thanks for the info. I figured that $1000 lighting systems would make a difference. Do you supplement with any thing like coral frenzy? I bought a small bottle per someone's recommendation but it seems to be just a cloud of filth.

[jenglish]

Is it turning white or jsut not the color it was when you bought it? Lighting can effect what the colors looks like (via reflected light) as well as change the actual color of the coral as it adjusts to lower light by producing more of the zoaxanthanelle that perform photosynthesis... and are brown.

[random]

Originally Posted by jenglish

Is it turning white or jsut not the color it was when you bought it? Lighting can effect what the colors looks like (via reflected light) as well as change the actual color of the coral as it adjusts to lower light by producing more of the zoaxanthanelle that perform photosynthesis... and are brown.

Hi & thanks! (Since I'm Mrs.drew1092, hope it's ok for me to reply )
Just not the color it was. Seems to be less brown now, don't know if it's the higher location or the feeding, though?
And, just in case: if something turns white, does that mean it bleached and/or will die?

[jenglish]

If it turns white it is nto usually a good sign. I have seen some pretty white anemones come back and hairy mushrooms are generally tougher. The fact that it looks a little less brown likely means it is is doing a little better with more light higher up. Sounds like it is doing a little better.

[random]

Thanks again!
When it closes up a bit, it's better, but never got back that color under daylights.

(1st - was; 2nd - now) but it seems happy, otherwise.

[yvr]

I believe that mushrooms really benefit from iodine supplementation and color improves/ intensifies with continued use; although some may disagree. From my experience, I think that they prefer a tank with elevated Iodine concentrations at approx. .06ppm. and I dose with the iodine solution TM Pro Coral Cure.

[jenglish]

I;m a big proponent of TMP as a dip, but using iodine is something I am skeptical of. If you test and maintain it at a certain level it may prove useful, but be careful with anything experimental.