Open Brain Becoming Translucent?

[Tennyson]

So I have had this Neon Green Open Brain Coral for maybe 3-4 months. It has been thriving for that time and has grown tremendously.

But for the past three or four days, its been looking kind of clearish, I can see through the flesh a little, when it should be a dark thick green. And translucentness is only in some areas and its spreading, or it seems that way.

I have been feeding both mouths around every weeks (though not lately)
And all params are ok except nitrates which are in the 15-20's

Do you think a large feeding will help it get back on track? what else could be causing this?

I'll try to post pics later, any feedback is aappreciated. Thanks

 

[jadeguppy]

Nitrates are high for a brain. How much rock and macro algae do you have in the tank? I'd start with a water change to help get the nitrates down.

 

[RokleM]

Feed more, especially mysis.

 

[Tennyson]

really? I should feed more? When I was feeding it, I'd feed two large chunks to each mouth, maybe every 2-8 days, then I suddenly stopped. Could it be starving since it may have been accustomed to eating so much?

I have been trying to lower my nitrates for the past two or three months. But it always seems to stay at a constant 20 ppm, and its around 12-15 after a water change.

 

[RokleM]

I wouldn't give it huge chunks, but more smaller pieces more frequently. Mysis, nutritious pellets, cyclopeeze, etc. I've noticed mine looses a tiny bit of color when it's hungry.

 

[seapug]

How's your Alkalinity? Mine lost a lot of color last year when I had some issues with Alkalinity and Phosphates. Try moving it to a lower light area, too.

 

[Justin74]

I'll throw the obvious out there to hopefully be eliminated..

What kind of lights are you using and when did you change your bulbs last?


-Justin

 

[Tennyson]

Its at the bottom of the tank so its getting the least amount of light.

I have PC lighting, 96 watts. And they haven't been changed for 9 months. Could this be the problem? How is not changing my bulbs (which I know I'm supposed to do) bad for my corals?

But I am upgrading to a 234 watt Nova extreme.

 

[Justin74]

I would be suspect of the lights. 9 months is about when most start to shift, and depending on the brand it could be happening sooner. This would explain the transluscense. The usefull spectrum of phosphores has been depleted, while the actuall visuall output may look the same the coral is having less proper spectrum to work with. Most manufacturers will claim longer life span which technically is true the bulb will fire for up to two years, but spectrum shifts and useability of said light are two different things. PC's should be switched every 6-9 months, similar to halides.SE's are the same while DE's can squeek by between 9-12 months and T5's are a around 12 months also in usefull light. However there is new talk and study that this can be corrected by simply lowering the unit of certain lights, but for most this is not applicable and/or practicle.

-Justin

 

[2006]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12474477#post12474477 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by seapug
How's your Alkalinity? Mine lost a lot of color last year when I had some issues with Alkalinity and Phosphates. Try moving it to a lower light area, too.

Mine faded when alk dropped below 2.5 meq/L. It is regaining original color with alk maintained at 3 to 4 meq/L.

 

[Tennyson]

Thanks, its probably the light, but I won't bother since I'm upgrading anyways. I'll check alkalinity and post back ifthats the problem.

Thanks

 

[2006]

Just a guess but I think some the lighting we use is quite a bit more intense then what they need. Open brains seem to expel zooanthelle quite readily even under moderate lighting.

 

[Justin74]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12481681#post12481681 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 2006
Just a guess but I think some the lighting we use is quite a bit more intense then what they need. Open brains seem to expel zooanthelle quite readily even under moderate lighting.

Very true, but not from PC's at there 9 mo mark Typically that topic has been reserved for T5's.

-Justin

 

[Tennyson]

Hey everybody, I just got the new light, and the brain seems to be regaining some of its color, that and the feedings have been helping.

Thanks