Coral Bleaching

[JW3571]

What causes coral bleaching? Too much light? Not enough light? Nutrients? I have a flavia and a ricordea that are starting to bleach. I'm not sure what my Magnesium is at but my calcium is 450 and all other parameters appear to be okay. It's a 90 gallon with 2 150mh and 4 T5HO. Please help.

 

[NYCBOB]

most coral bleaching r caused by too much light. in ur situation, u certainly hv enough lighting. coral can also bleach if water parameters r not correct. u will need to list ur water parameters.

 

[Palting]

As stated above, coral bleaching can be from a lot of factors. However, the most common reason if the coral is new is too much light, or lack of light acclimation, or both.

I have a green stylo that bleached under my 150 MH, despite their description as being high light requiring. I am currently light acclimating it slowly under several layers of screen. Ricordeas in general like less light. I have one Ricordea colony that was close to the stylo, so it inadvetently was placed in shade as well. It has not just blossomed, but went from 3 heads to 5 in 2 weeks! Here's a photorecord on my build thread, starting with post# 187: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1853170&page=8

Post your paarameters as well, as that may help get you more help.

 

[JW3571]

Here are my parameters. The Flavia was a frag i just purchased yesterday from someone locally. It wasn't bleaching at the store, but in transport he started bleaching and has remained that way since i brought him home.

Salinity 1.025
PH 8.3
Phospates 0
Nitrate 20
ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Calcium 450
Alk 220

 

[Palting]

Nitrate of 20 is on the high side for an SPS/LPS, the favia, but may be OK for the ricordea.

Do you recall what lights they were under at the LFS?

 

[JW3571]

They were under LED's. How do you get Nitrates down?

 

[BeanMachine]

They were under LED's. How do you get Nitrates down?

Water changes, skimming, less feeding, etc.

 

[JW3571]

I probably should buy a skimmer? My Lfs told me not to buy and to to just use my five and sump, he said it was more natural

 

[T Diddy]

I probably should buy a skimmer? My Lfs told me not to buy and to to just use my five and sump, he said it was more natural

I've never been a fan of overskimming, but it is kinda odd that a fish store advises against skimming altogether.