Bleaching Q's

[Palting]

I posted this at the reefkeeping forum, but no replies despite multiple views, so I'm reposting here.

I though SPS bleaching was due to not enough light?

Anyhow, I got a pink and a green Stylophora from my lfs. He had then under PC lights, about 14" down. So, I light acclimated them under my 150 MH and put them on the substrate first 24" down. I noticed they started to bleach after a few days, so I started moving them up. They are now about 10" under the water surface, each directly under an MH bulb. They are still continuing to bleach. Most of the polyps are still out, still pink on one and green in the other, but their skeletons are now more white rather than their original brownish. Both are also under moderate to high flow. Looking info about them on the net and on the books I have, Stylophora prefer strong light and moderate to high flow.

Just to fill out the full picture, all my parameters are pristine, there is a purple acro, a wild branching acro, and a green millepora in the same vicinity that are doing just great!

What gives?

Thanks for the help!

 

[mal1099]

Sounds like your lighting might be causing the bleaching. Going from pc to halide even at your bottom might have been to much. You can try using screens on the top of your tank . I use a wire screen material to light accimate stuff in my tank. I start with 4 pieces and each week i remove a piece till all 4 are gone. Then i slowly move the coral to the spot i want over a few weeks depending on the hieght i want.

 

[Palting]

Thanks, mal. Im going to Lowe's this PM to get some screens. I assume these are the black plastic/nylon one's?