Coral Color

[doconnell]

What makes coral lose its color? I have a few pieces that turned a brown when I was have having water issues and they don't seem to want to come back. Any suggestions?

 

[NaClH2Opgh]

If they turn brown it is from elevated N and P levels. Even after you get the levels down it could take some time for the coral to color back up. I have some that have taken months to color back up.

 

[bmiller1234]

Brown can also be stress induced. would need a bit of elaboration on your "water issues". I have been having some brown issues due to elevated alk and horrible alk swings due to mechanical kalk failure I was unaware of.

 

[acer]

Yes- have a bunch of "brown out" in my office tank. I went out of town- wife just dumped in 2 gallons of fresh water instead of 1/2 gallon at a time. PH changes to quick- lost 3 fish so far- none are eating well, all coral color dying.

 

[doconnell]

Ouch Ted, That isn't good.

I was having issue with the tap water but have straighted that out. It has been about 3 or 4 weeks now.

What is N & P? If it is Nitrites and PH levels. They are under control.

 

[bmiller1234]

Nitrates and phosphates. I assume its sps brown out? From most of my current research its almost always trace phosphates typically below hobby grade test kits will measure and also a huge problem when using tap water. My phosphates were actually leaching from jugs I stored mixed saltwater in. After about a week it would show phosphates present in fresh mix.

 

[acer]

I haven't bothered to measure anything as I had 3 dead fish in the tank for 1-2-3 days before I returned. So, I am sure the N and P are sky high. Taking down the tank this weekend- what fish and corals are still alive I will move home for now. The rock is full of MOJO's so I now have an excuse to tear the whole thing down. I may choose to have a sale thread on the setup soon - need to clean it up ( acrylic scratch repair), kill the mojo's and re-cook the rock,etc. either to sell it or to do a re-setup. However, I will have some live sand if anybody wants some for free. Also please come and get any large hairy mushrooms for free. Hate to just kill them. The rest of the livestock I would not trust to give away or sell as it may not be finished dying. Pm me for phone number or addresses for anybody interested. Sorry to hijack the thread doconnell.

 

[irocz2280]

I am having and issue with a purple acro i have it was bright purple when i picked it up as a frag and it has since grown to 3 times the size that it was originally. but it is no longer purple but a dull brownish color i still get full polyp extension and it is still growing.The only thing i could think of it being is that my Alk. is low and Calc. is high all my other S.P.S. are good as it is i am not too happy with my coral coloration i have a feeling it might have something to do with the crappy bulbs i got. any Recc. for bulbs ? i have nova extreme 432 watt t-5 8 bulb fixture with current bulbs 4 actinic and 4 10k over the tank.
My params. are
8.2 ph.
1375 mag.
phos. 0.02 hanna mini photometer reading
calc. 480
alk. 8.4
Nitrates undetectable prob. < 5ppm