Favia light levels and color response

[Rockstacker]

I have this favia for almost 9 months now and I have been experimenting with different locations in the tank for optimal lighting for this coral.

My lighting consists of three 120W dimmable LEDs. Blues are set to 40-45% and whites are at 10-15% (Analog dials so there may be some variances).
These are about 10 inches above the water surface.

This is what the favia looked like when I first introduced it to the tank.
Almost completely brown with a tint of purple and some green.

After light acclimation, I placed the favia about 10 inches below the water surface. That is where the coral sat for about 6 months.

This is what it looked like after that time.
New polyps are forming around the edges, and the middle section appears inflated with irregular green patches.

Someone noted that this coral should be in a much shadier location, so I tried that out too.
I placed it lower in the tank with partial shade and this is what it looks like after 3 months in that spot.

Another photo with flash:

What is considered the "healthy" color response for this particular coral?
The uniform brown when it was in brighter light? or the green bordered polyps when it was placed in dimmer light?

Also, anyone have any ideas on how to clean out these darn tiny clove polyps from the edges of the favia?
I want to remove them but I don't want to hurt the favia.

 

[SchnitzelReef]

I have a few nice favias in my tank, and I've noticed that they seem to adapt to any light or flow. Most of mine are getting blasted by light. About 300-400 par. If ur having issues with browning/lack of color, i would start with water quality. Possibly fluctuating parameters, high nitrates and/or phosphates.

 

[Rockstacker]

Thanks.
So the "all brown" color is not the desirable color scheme then?

 

[SchnitzelReef]

Thanks.
So the "all brown" color is not the desirable color scheme then?

Doubt it. Brown is not a common favia color. Lol

 

[Rockstacker]

Just a couple of updates (and more questions) on this coral.
At its new location the green borders are now more evenly distributed. The green border's contrast with the red/brown centers are more pronounced.
The younger polyps at the edges are also looking fleshier and could be growing and pushing away the clove polyps that surround it.

Also, at night this coral has gone into b*tch mode. Previously this corals gets "furry" with all the tentacles extended but none were longer than half an inch.
Now I would see sweeper tentacles as long as 4 inches around the edges late at night.

Could the coral just be hungry and needs supplemental feeding? or is it simply staking out its territory?

Its nearest neighbors are zoas and palys and those do not seem to get affected even when the sweepers touch them.
One nassarius snail got too close though and its flesh touched a sweeper and it got stung really bad - it started twerking for a few seconds and then moved away.

 

[MortgageTank]

following along

 

[Six2seven]

The sweeper tentacles are supposed to be that long. It sounds like its healthier by the color changes, growth and feeding. I'm an SPS guy but same concept. When you start seeing good polyp extension it means it's doing well and not necessarily wants MoRE food.

 

[SchnitzelReef]

I would leave it at the bottom, But take it out of the shade. IME favias like light.

 

[Rockstacker]

I have moved it out of the shade, it is now at the bottom of the tank and not shaded by anything.
The green rings are definitely more pronounced now, in contrast with the brown/red centers.
Sweepers are almost always deployed now after dark, and it has almost completely pushed off the tiny clove polyps that were living along the edges.

Now it is just a matter of waiting to see if this thing grows. I hear these are among the slowest growers when it comes to LPS.

 

[Rockstacker]

Here is a picture of the favia during daytime, taken this afternoon.