Frogspawn not too healthy

[reeftanking]

For about a week and a half one of my branches on the my frogspawn has been looking bland losing its color. Also I have found a few spongy looking bumps on either side of the branch. I wanted to see if anyone has had an issue like so before. Can't imagine that it would be too much lighting, because for the last 4-5 months the frogspawn has been under actinic t5 lighting for around 9 hrs a day.

http://[URL=http://s222.photobucket.com/user/alexkondratyuk/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DF3DFE40-273B-4D03-951B-BE55AA617846_zpsaeifufo3.jpg.html][/URL]

http://[URL=http://s222.photobucket.com/user/alexkondratyuk/media/Mobile%20Uploads/3727E01B-8A47-474B-B8BA-D0E3F7BC00B5_zpsiismkmlp.jpg.html][/URL]

http://[URL=http://s222.photobucket.com/user/alexkondratyuk/media/Mobile%20Uploads/8E3B6579-8F9F-4F14-9D5A-EB9A8E4B7E9F_zpskgi7uq3i.jpg.html][/URL]

 

[reeftanking]

Also wanted to mention that those bumpy lump looking Thnks have been growing for a few months now.

 

[kichimark]

Can't see any picture if you put one up.

 

[reeftanking]

Ahh they show up on my page. I will reload them in the morning from my computer instead of using my phone. Thx

 

[kichimark]

Looks like a type of sponge growing on the stalk. You can remove it by scratching it off if you feel like it might be bothering it. I have had little sponges pop up here and there and I have never noticed any issues but I do take them off when they are growing close. I agree it might not be the lighting because the other stalks are looking fine. Is there anything else that has recently changed before the one stalk started to get a lighter coloration?

 

[reeftanking]

Not anything specific that I can pinpoint. I did add a new fire shrimp to the system a few days prior. I had him acclimating in a separate 5 gallon tank for about 3-4 days, so I can't really say that he brought anything into the DT.

 

[organism]

That bump is a sponge, they're harmless filter feeders so it wouldn't be the cause of any issues like what you're seeing. Fire shrimp wouldn't have brought in anything bad either.

I've seen it happen every so often and imo it could be tied to alkalinity swings. I think feeding would help, hopefully it comes back but if it starts receding then it's probably tied to alkalinity. What are your parameters?