SPS Bleaching?

[Wilioli]

Not sure if this should have gone in the beginners section as I am a beginner, or if its ok here... Well, my first post. Been a fan, been reading lots -- finally joined... here goes!

I just recently got 2 frags of sps (cats paw and branching monti) 3 days ago (sunday). I noticed on the cats paw on the bottom there is some bleaching/receding, and the branching monti seems to have its tips bleaching as well? I got a bit cocky, went on about how I don't have a skimmer, bla bla bla... lol

Tank: 20g long
Sg: 1.026
Temp: 80-81F
Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates: 0 (api test)
Phosphate: 0 (api test)
Calcium: 440
Alk: 8-9dkh

I got them from a local reefer. He had them in his frag tank for a while now. I can't remember the dimensions, but it wasn't that much more deeper than mine -- anyways, his lighting is 250w phoenix 14k for 4-5 hours of the day, rest of the time is actinic lighting.

I have a 150w radium 20k thats 8" above tank, on for 9 hours of the day, no supplemental lighting. The frags are on the sandbed. I'm not sure if its because they are on the sandbed that they are bleaching? I always thought bleaching meant too much light? So I'm not sure if I should put them up higher in the tank (which is what I want to do) or leave them be for now, or shade them.

I'm running carbon in my ac110 mod with chaeto, chemipure elite and some filter floss in there.

 

[GR214]

My 2 cents is they are alittle to low in your tank if its bleaching at the base I would keep a close eye on it.

 

[Wilioli]

My 2 cents is they are alittle to low in your tank if its bleaching at the base I would keep a close eye on it.

thanks for the reply.

I agree with it being too low.. but was thinking that maybe i should give it a week to be that low for adjusting to different light schedule/bulb -- or would it be better to move them immediately?

 

[GR214]

Honestly I dont think it will make a diff as your not moving the coral into more light than they are used to.

 

[Wilioli]

Honestly I dont think it will make a diff as your not moving the coral into more light than they are used to.

could you elaborate on that? I just didn't understand.. lol

The previous owner had them under more powerful lighting but for shorter time period. or do you mean in general a coral is used to a certain kind of lighting?

 

[JustinM]

Dude I am pretty sure that is just new growth on the tips, not the base.

 

[GR214]

could you elaborate on that? I just didn't understand.. lol

The previous owner had them under more powerful lighting but for shorter time period. or do you mean in general a coral is used to a certain kind of lighting?

I just meant it was in strong light already so it should be fine if your running it on the higher portion of your tank. He may also be right prob just new growth

 

[Wilioli]

Dude I am pretty sure that is just new growth on the tips, not the base.

yea i was thinking that was a possibility for the branching monti... after reading some threads on RC it seems like its a possibility.. but the cats paw definitely has 'skeleton' exposed... looks as tho i purposely cut its 'skin' on the bottom right there.. thanks for the reply

I just meant it was in strong light already so it should be fine if your running it on the higher portion of your tank. He may also be right prob just new growth

gotcha, im gonna give it a couple more days like you were saying to observe, and then move it for sure.. thanks again

 

[krazysps]

The top pic of the digi looks like growth tips the bottom pic of the birdsnest looks fine to me. They say birdnest as very easy and beginner sps but I have found different birdsnest are very finicky from exp.

 

[robs.mark]

I think your just stressing out!! They both look good to me, bridsnest has good PE and although th pic isnt amazing it doesnt seem to be stning so i wouldnt worry. I have to agree with GR124 with regards to the lighting, if i were you i would just place them into their permanent homes and take it from there. What are you using for flow?

 

[Wilioli]

The top pic of the digi looks like growth tips the bottom pic of the birdsnest looks fine to me. They say birdnest as very easy and beginner sps but I have found different birdsnest are very finicky from exp.

yea, thats why i got the catspaw/birdsnest -- figured it'd be easy to start with... I guess i should stop hyperventilating with every issue and just let things go.. what happens happens.. lol