Some SPS turning brownish!

[Eric Noa]

I added a few SPS frags at the end of November and some have been loosing color slowly and turning brownish over the past few weeks. Not sure if I need to increase my light intensity because all my levels are right where they need to be so the water is not (shouldn't be) an issue. Some of the SPS have also gotten better coloration since I added them to the tank. All came from the same source so not sure what the issue is. I will post a picture of one that has lost color and one that has gained color.

Tank info:

I have a 150 tall (48"x24"x30") with 2x Photon16 about 6-8 inches off the water and this is my current light schedule. have a 150 tall (48"x24"x30") with 2x Photon16 about 6-8 inches off the water and my current light schedule is attached below.


Water Parameters:

Temp: 78-79F
Salinity: 1.025
Ammonia: 0
Nitrites: 0
Nitrate: 2-4
pH: 8.2
Phosphates: 0-2
Alk: 9 dKh
Mag: 1280
Cal: 380

Water Source: Cape Coral, FL city water process through RO/DI unit. 0 TDS
Salt: Reef Crystals

WC: 10% weekly


Sample images.

LOST COLOR


GAINED COLOR

 

[kylathwe]

Not sure of their placement in your tank but with a 30" deep tank you probably need some more light especially if they are on your sandbed. What optics do you have on your photons? I would bump up the lighting. Also you said your phosphate is 0-2...is that 0.00-0.02?

 

[Eric Noa]

Not sure of their placement in your tank but with a 30" deep tank you probably need some more light especially if they are on your sandbed. What optics do you have on your photons? I would bump up the lighting. Also you said your phosphate is 0-2...is that 0.00-0.02?

Yes I meant 0.00 to 0.02. I do have them about 3 inches off the sand bed. You think I should bump up the intensity and bring them up a bit higher?

I have 90 degree optics on the photons.

 

[UTCReefer]

Ideally you'd want 0 phosphates and 0 Nitrates. The phosphates can cause browning although your's are not terrible or anything. Lack of light can easily cause browning. Try a rainbow monti sometime, I swear that if its not 1-2" from the surface directly under a 400w MH lamp it will brown out. The polyps keep their color but the skin is brown.

 

[UTCReefer]

That spongodes will brown out without strong light.

 

[kylathwe]

Ya I would raise them up and increase your light. Your phosphates are fine.

 

[Eric Noa]

Will give that a try and see if they start to color back up.

 

[Tek]

I believe 60 degree optics are recommended for 30" tanks. I am using 80 degree on my 24"

 

[animalkingdom]

the acro lost color because its not happy
the spongedos gained color because the polyps are retracted revealing the vibrant green base instead of the brwon polyps...also not happy

yoyr calc is on the lower side...but i dont know whats causing the issue

 

[Tek]

How old is the tank and what are you using to test P04?

 

[tdb320reef]

Focus on keeping your nitrates and phosphates below .1.

 

[Eric Noa]

the acro lost color because its not happy
the spongedos gained color because the polyps are retracted revealing the vibrant green base instead of the brwon polyps...also not happy

yoyr calc is on the lower side...but i dont know whats causing the issue

The spongedos did gained color compare to the before picture above. The polyps are retracted because I had just messed with it before taking the picture. It some sand on it so I removed it. I took a picture today and you can see the polyps are out.

How old is the tank and what are you using to test P04?

Thank is about 6 months old. Im using Red Sea & API test kit both showing very similar results.

 

[Tek]

I would not trust the phosphate reading on API. Your tank is doing what mine was the first 6 months. Mini cycles and high phosphates. Try a Hanna checker for phosphates. It helped me get my SPS back in line.

 

[Eric Noa]

I would not trust the phosphate reading on API. Your tank is doing what mine was the first 6 months. Mini cycles and high phosphates. Try a Hanna checker for phosphates. It helped me get my SPS back in line.

Thank you. I'll order a Hanna Checker and see what the results are.

 

[Jettareefer]

I think bumping up your calcium and mag up a bit and you should be in good shape, I can never DKh over 7 but I keep my calcium at 480,mag 1350, phos 2 life's good !
-Addison