Mushroom always at ATTENTION!

I have about 6 different mushrooms in my tank from fuzzy to your common green mushroom. (not near each other or other coral) I have the reds up high and the green from mid to low. Running a T5-HO 8x54 on a 90gal i am just at 432w 4.8per gal.

My concern is when the lights come on the mushrooms are to lay out. Only my fuzzy one lay down nice the rest of them my reds, greens, blue and striped one only partically fan out and stay at attention(reaching). They have not multiplied but they look like they are doing fine asides them not laying down.

Now the same mushrooms that i have in my 12gal nanodx under PC 2x24w 48watt 4w per gal are doing perfect all layered out multiplying and everything. level on that tank i do not wish to report for i have not been a good father to that tank yet everything in that tank is beyond great.

levels on the 90gal
0-ammonia
0-nitrites
.05 nitrates down from a whopping 180
ph is 8.3
gravity 1.025
no other test have been done.

 

I would say that I don't think that they are getting enought light. Now, I know you did a little watts per gallon math there, but I don't think that works because I know your 90 gal is deeper than your nano right? The light on the 90 is not able to punch through like it is on the short little nano tank. I think if you added more light you would have better results. Just my opinion. Good luck!

 

most muchrooms actually require less light. if you give them too much they will brown out and not extend to the desired length. little thought

 

Also, in my opinion a 8x54w t-5ho fixture over a 90gal tank is enough for any coral. I know a guy that has kept sps in his 90 with the same lights with great sucess! I would try putting the shroomies in the shade and see how they do. Mine took a while to get comfortable.

 

In my experience, the more light, the happier they are. The mushrooms I have had a bad experience with intense light are the "fuzzy grass" mushroom. Check them out here -> http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11_03/Mushroom-Coral---Fuzzy-Grass_605_4_62_103.html

I know they say "strong light"... BULL! I had these guys mid to high with MH and they still shriveled and died. To be honest, I've known people that have had bad experiences with those shrooms.

 

The state your mushrooms are in is mainly due to nutrients in your tank. The more nutrients you have suspended in your water column, the less the need for the mushrooms to open up. The other side holds true as well. If you have few nutrients in your water, your mushromms will more thanikely expand greatly to be able to receive as many nutrients as possible. You will notice this after you perform a water change-your mushromms will more than likely expand due to reduced nutrients in your water such as nitrates.
Yes light can also play a role with shrooms-but mushrooms do not require intense lighting and can be kept under pc's as well as metal halides. Just watch out for positioning(can kill them if to intense of light or not enough(3-4 watts per gallon up is sufficient). Remember that mushrooms are toxic and will damage other corals-so be careful of placement!

 

Everyone thank you for the information. The fuzzy greens are what I have and they are the only ones that are laying down and looking great.

Now how do i get the nutrients out of the water, for they are also causing chaos with nuisance algae on my glass, everyday I am cleaning this off.