how does water chemistry bleach sps?

[ati70cutlass]

im new at sps, and do not understand how water chemistry will bleach sps. i bought some monti frags and within two days they are grey ,, i put them on the bottom of the tank and my friend says its from water chemistry more than likely. so how does that happen. i have been reading alot and have not figured it out yet

 

[krazysps]

po4 will brown and kill sps. Now if your lighting is to strong or you have super low nutrient's such as a zeo tank you could get pastel colors....nitrate and po4 go hand in hand whats your params look like?

 

[Allmost]

SPS need good water parameters.

browning is different than bleaching.

browning is caused by excessive nutrition, NO3, and PO4, or not enough lighting.

Bleaching is caused by temp shock, light shock, mineral sock, and makes the corals look whiter/paler.

all SPS also require ALOT of light, ALOT of flow.

 

[ati70cutlass]

i just got my 40 up and running. i have 3 mj1200s on a wavemaster pro, mag 5 return, euro reef 135 skimmer, lumenarc hqi pendent with phoenix 14k run off a galaxy ballast and 2 95 watt 454 vho's ran off a aro ballast. packed with 2 150 reactors gfo and carbon.60 lbs of live rock and 20lbs of sand.


what else do i need.... im looking at trying to figure out a dosing regiment. and what corals are good for starting out that are easier

 

[twelvejewelz]

"i just got my 40 up and running"

what else do i need.... and what corals are good for starting out that are easier

That may be your problem right there. The tank may not be mature/stable enough yet to keep the SPS healthy. I would stick with a strict maintenance schedule and make sure all parameters are stable(buy test kits for calcium, nitrates, phosphates, Alkalinity, and magnesium) then youll know if your tank is ready for SPS. For a starter SPS you can try any monticap or a pink birdsnest coral and once your parameters are in check and stable and those corals are doing good youll be able to get other SPS without worrying if there going to perish right away or not. Good luck!


EDIT: also remember to properly acclimate the corals to the tank water and light in the beginning to ensure that your off to a good start.