Help! Coral bleaching!

[cato]

I bought this coral 5 days ago. It looked real nice when I got it but now it seems to be bleaching and I'm not sure why. It was expensive too. My most expensive purchase yet. I have a frag colony of zoo's, an open brain, a star polyp frag, and a crocea clam that are all doing awesome! Thriving, but not this favite. Water quality is pristine. no problems at all. Is my lighting too intense. Its placement is about mid tank level (same level as my clam) and my lights are set as in this pic usually. I just raised them up about a foot above the tank. Need help...I don't want to lose this coral.

BEFORE

NOW

Tank lights normal setting

Tank lights raised up

 

[phoenix]

It is not unusual for corals to change color - this can be due to the change in conditions. It could be due to change in lights or other conditions. What lights was the coral under at the LFS and what do you have them under now? If the light is more intense in your system that would cause the coral to ligten up. Also you may want to reduce the photoperiod and gradually increase.

 

[cato]

In my LFS I almost always saw it under actinics only. In my system I have 150w Halide and actinics. Photo period is approx 10 hrs for the halide and 14 for the actinics.

 

[Pandora]

I agree, sometimes a sudden change in intensity or spectrum causes mild bleaching, though not as serious as sharp demarcated areas of death. LFS lights frequently aren't the strongest in nondisplay tanks, since it's not cost effect to run halides for livestock that will only be with you less than a week or two. The Reef Aquarium describes how corals that lighten in response to the change (those zooxanthela are migrating, and sometimes new ones come in better adapted to the new light)... and can be started out deep in the tank and gradually moved up to give a smoother transition.

 

[phoenix]

The change in lighting to the MH could account for the difference. The coral may color up after it acclimates. In the future, I would shade any new corals for several days and gradually increase the exposure. I typically put several layers of plastic mesh on the top of my tank to shade new corals and remove the layers gradually over a few days

 

[nathan1]

it's not bleaching just retracted.
yes they do expand and contract.
i've got 2 like him and they go through times were they stay retracted for afew days then back to normal.
he looks fine. i don't think you should worry yet.

 

[Pandora]

LPS like favites undergo some retraction/expansion, but his is also showing mild bleaching independant of that. I don't think it's of huge concern either, but I think it should be more gradually exposed to the lights like phoenix... I like that plastic mesh idea. What kind do you use?

 

[cato]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6587270#post6587270 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pandora
I agree, sometimes a sudden change in intensity or spectrum causes mild bleaching, though not as serious as sharp demarcated areas of death. LFS lights frequently aren't the strongest in nondisplay tanks, since it's not cost effect to run halides for livestock that will only be with you less than a week or two. The Reef Aquarium describes how corals that lighten in response to the change (those zooxanthela are migrating, and sometimes new ones come in better adapted to the new light)... and can be started out deep in the tank and gradually moved up to give a smoother transition.

I like the idea. What kind of mesh and where do I get some??

 

[cato]

The halides are the original ones that came with the light...Coralife 10K. They are only 4 1/2mos old. I plan on going to Phoenix 14K's in a couple of mos.

 

[phoenix]

I actually use plastic stitching mesh from a fabric shop and it works extremely well - I use one or two sheets and gradually remove one sheet at a time - for example, depending on the coral i may put two sheets for the first 2-3 days and then remove one leaving the other on for another couple of days. If the coral appears stressed I may leave the sheet on for a few days longer. The mesh will deteriorate due to the light after several uses but it works great. It is easy to cut to size and can be cleaned by running under water. It also has worked to keep fish from jumping out of the tank.

 

[cato]

Thanks Phoenix. Will check out my LFS (local fabric store) tomorrow.

 

[phoenix]

I got the idea from my wife - I buy several sheets about once a year. Dont know if you have one in your area but i get mine from a fabric store chain called Joannes. My wife said that department stores like Walmart usually carry it also. Good luck. For what its worth I have had several brain corals that have initially faded but then regained color over several days to weeks.

 

[cato]

Sweet! We have Joannes in this area too! Thanks again for your help and insight. Much appreciated.

 

[Philwd]

Not sure this applies but my maze brain had similar color bleaching. When I reduced the PO4 it regained its intense neon green color. I had clear water and zero PO4 by the Saliferts kit but I still had too much organically bound PO4 that wasn't being tested. Anyway something to think about.

 

[cato]

Definitely, thanks for the info.