How to bring a bleached RBTA back?

[MMacro]

My RBTA has been bleached since I came back from a long vacation about two months ago. I had someone come over and "take care" of the tank. When I came back, my chalice, some SPS, and my acan had died and my RBTA had bleached. I have been feeding krill and homemade food to try to bring it back. Has anyone brought a bleached nem back? If so, how?

 

[asudavew]

If it will eat, just keep feeding it, but don't overdo it.
Eventually the zooxanthellae will grow back.
The only problem I've had with bleached BTAS are ones that I couldn't get to eat.

 

[Big Dave PDX]

I'll also add be very patient! Nothing good happens fast in reef tanks - bleaching can happen in a couple days but getting color back may take a month or more. But yes, feed, but very small amounts about every 3-4 days. Remember, it takes energy for the BTAs to process the food too. If you have some cyclopeez or something similar in size to feed, I would suggest that. HTH and we also love pictures, even if they're of our struggles!

 

[MMacro]

Thanks for the advice guys.
He went from this

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To this...







He looks really deflated and it has only been getting worse.

 

[asudavew]

Did the person mess with your lighting?

 

[MMacro]

Did the person mess with your lighting?

No, I changed my lights a while back from the marineland doublebright leds to the photon 48s.

 

[MMacro]

Bump

 

[tonysi]

Did you acclimate the bta to the new lights? Cause you went from a light with .5 watt LEDs to one with 3 watt leds.

 

[MMacro]

Did you acclimate the bta to the new lights? Cause you went from a light with .5 watt LEDs to one with 3 watt leds.

I don't think it was because of the lights. He bleached about 2-3 weeks after the new lights were introduced. I think it was because of a temperature spike.

 

[tonysi]

I'd dim the lights for good measure and re- acclimate it to your current light setting and do try to feed it. The lower light setting will sorta calm it down and maybe it'll accept the food you are trying to feed it. Has any new livestock been added or anyone messing with it?

 

[GT350pwns]

If you went whole hog on the lighting and didn't ramp them up over a period of a couple to 3 weeks I'd say it's probably being burnt by the photons.

 

[MMacro]

I'd dim the lights for good measure and re- acclimate it to your current light setting and do try to feed it. The lower light setting will sorta calm it down and maybe it'll accept the food you are trying to feed it. Has any new livestock been added or anyone messing with it?

It is eating. I haven't seen anything mess with it except for a cleaner shrimp a few days ago. I will dim the lights.

 

[asudavew]

Yeah. Dim the lights. You likely bleached it with the new ones.