Small issue with some acros

[microwave]

I'm having some polyp extension and color lightening issues with a couple pieces of my acropora.

First my specs:
30 gal long
6 bulb t5 with ati bulbs
SWC 120 skimmer
MP10
3/4 cup carbon in reactor changed every 2 weeks


Cal:420 salifert
ALK:9.6 salifert
MAG:1350 salifert
Nitrate:0 API
Phos:0 elos
ph:7.9-8.1
temp:79-81

Fish:true perc,pyjama cardinal,royal gramma

The acros are relatively new i.e. 3 weeks or so. The slimer has polyp extension and looks relatively healthy, although faded. The tri-color has faded and has almost no polyp extension day or night(used to have good extension when I bought it).

I cannot see any pests on the pieces, and dipped them when I bought them. Should I try and dip them in coral rx again?

I have had several pieces of acros and only ever seemed to have any polyp extension with millies, and green acros. All other acros always lose their PE and show little signs of growth.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[90ct]

It's normal. When introduce it to your tank, did you start it slowly at the bottom then move up or just put it up high?

 

[mike_cmu04]

Your alk is a llittle high i would try to lower that to 8.

 

[microwave]

It's normal. When introduce it to your tank, did you start it slowly at the bottom then move up or just put it up high?

In this particular case, I just put it up high. It came from high in a tank with halides.

Your alk is a llittle high i would try to lower that to 8.

I use reef crystals and this is what it has always been at. Does alk >8 contribute to poor polyp extension?

 

[TheMikey]

If you've got a 6-bulb ATI fixture in a 30L, then your bleaching is probably from too much light. IME ATI (even Tek, AquaticLife, etc.) are more intense than some halides, especially in shallower tanks.

 

[Alex T.]

Personally, I think your alkalinity is fine. I have exceptional polyp extension and coloration at 10.

If I had to point a finger at any one thing...it would be the lights. Take it slow. Some of these t5 light setups can light it up like a Xmas tree.

 

[microwave]

If you've got a 6-bulb ATI fixture in a 30L, then your bleaching is probably from too much light. IME ATI (even Tek, AquaticLife, etc.) are more intense than some halides, especially in shallower tanks.

Im currently running a nova extreme pro. To be clear its definitely not bleaching, just slightly faded colors i.e. when I bought the tri-color the purples were vivid, but now they are not as vivid. However, its only on a select few acros. The colors that I do have on other sps are amazing (ex. superman monti, millie, pocci etc).

I really hope its not too much light. I upgraded from a PC fixture to a t5 so I could keep sps. If I have to change this out for yet another setup, my wife is just going to snap.