Sps are turning brown and white !!!

[Finzz]

i just purchased two sps corals a few weeks ago .. one of them is half brown and half white still with a little color on the bottom part .. the other one is all brown ..

i just tested my water and these are the results .. (using salifert kits )

CAL. 490
ALK. 9 DKH
MAG. 800
PH. 8.4
Phosphate - 0
Nitrates - 0

im using 250 w bulbs with a giesemann infininti light fixture .. its stock bulbs (12K) with 4 80w actinics . running a carbon and phosphate reactor .. 2 vortech mp40 powerheads .. its a 125 gal tank

any help will be appreciated..


thanks

 

[hugo209]

what type of Sps?

 

[seapug]

Your mag is on the low side but sounds like they are bleaching out from the lights. I've use those 250W giesmann bulbs before. Even the 14.5K bulbs are hella bright. Can't imagine what the 12K bulbs are like. I had to swap them out for something a little more mellow. You can put some layers of window screen over eggcrate over the top of the tank and gradually remove the layers to acclimate the corals to the light, or try some different bulbs, maybe something more along the 14K or 20K line. I use 250W 20Ks on my 90 gallon and it's more than adequate for my SPS.

 

[Finzz]

how about the ushio 250w 20k ?

 

[hugo209]

IMO the 20k radiums are alot better than the ushio. what type of ballast are you using?

 

[Finzz]

i need a 250 DE bulb and radiums are not made in 250 DE

 

[seapug]

Unfortunately, 20K Radiums are not available in 250W DE. 250W Ushio 20K is a good substitute. One of my favorite bulbs.

 

[hugo209]

when i was running DE bulbs.. the phoenix 14k bulbs was a good choice, great growth with a nice crisp blue color.

 

[Finzz]

just ordered a 250w ushio 20k .. hope this will help .