coral color change.

[heroicdose]

Hey there I just started with a reef system. Have a 34g cube that recently finished the fishless cycle.... Anyway im not sure the name of this coral but it is my first piece.

It was much greener when I first put it in. then over night the color seemed to fade. Just wondering if its an issue

 

[coralsnaked]

This is called fading and can happen for different reasons. One reason is too much light can fade the color. Another reason has to do with the symbiocticZooxanthellae a brown-yellow algae that lives in coral’s gastrodermis. Sometimes , especially when the coral moves from one light source to another IE Metal Halide to LED or visa versa the coral will eject the current Zooxanthellae so it can host another more suited to the new light. This will cause a temporasry fading and is of no real significance. However one must determin if the lighting is generally too strong for the coral. Also one should determin if it is RTN rapid tissue nacrosis and this is done primarily with SPS. Looks like you have an LPS there and I would say if it is well extended as it seems then it will acclimate and do fine. Color lose it a common unwanted occurance.

 

[FDdragon]

I agree. I could be the lighting. you could try moving the coral lower in the tank and see what happens.

looking at the pic it looks really bright. what type of lights are you using?

 

[heroicdose]

The dimmable led from ebay. I was told to keep it around 30 and 40% white and 60 and 70% blue. I was told this is a soft coral although its brittle... I appreciate the responses.

 

[heroicdose]

I lowered the light and it seemed to get a little color back... now this morning I look and its completely closed. I tested my water and the levels of ammonia nitrite and nitrate are great.