Bleaching? (No Not teeth Bleaching)

[artkwan]

Hi gurus -

When one refers to bleaching as it pertains to a reef tank, does this mean that a coral is getting too much light, and if so what are such guidelines or parameters to follow by?

Thanks, Art

 

[loup]

bleaching refers to coral getting to much light. You can either move the coral down more or move the light up. If light is dimmable like LED, than you can reduce the light output. Either 3 method would work.

 

[RonMidtownStomp]

Bleaching refers to a coral dumping the colorful bacteria and turning white. This can happen for numerous reasons including temperature swings, lighting or water conditions.

 

[artkwan]

Thank you guys!

 

[RonMidtownStomp]

Oh, I thought of one more thing. I had some corals bleach a few months ago due to old bulbs combined with some water parameter issues.

 

[artkwan]

I am currently using Phoenix HQI 150's. What is the accepted lifespan on metal halide bulbs? Mine are currently approximately 7-8 weeks old.

This was what I was referring to in the picture, the birdsnest coral. I have since moved it lower in the tank by approximately 2-3 inches.

Oh, I thought of one more thing. I had some corals bleach a few months ago due to old bulbs combined with some water parameter issues.

 

[HV1990]

that looks like new growth

 

[RonMidtownStomp]

8-12 months at 4-6 hours/day.

 

[RonMidtownStomp]

And those are definitely growth tips, not coral bleaching. That just means the coral is growing.

 

[artkwan]

Thank you Ron!

8-12 months at 4-6 hours/day.

 

[Paulca916]

Art most Metal Halide manufactures say 12 months but IIRC thats at 10 hours a day which in my opinion is twice as many hours that you need to run them.
I only run mine 4 hours a day and change out around nine months just so I dont have to light aclimate my corals.

As for the birds nest they are lower light corals so you might just be burning it

Maybe growth tips but from what I can see in the pic its only one tip I would think growth tips would be also on the other tips I could be wrong ?

See what it does now that you lowered it

 

[artkwan]

Thank you to all of you for your input and help. Greatly appreciative for the guidance I am getting here. I will leave it at its current position for now!

Art

Art most Metal Halide manufactures say 12 months but IIRC thats at 10 hours a day which in my opinion is twice as many hours that you need to run them.
I only run mine 4 hours a day and change out around nine months just so I dont have to light aclimate my corals.

As for the birds nest they are lower light corals so you might just be burning it