SPS color loss, is it bleaching?

[cnreef]

Just wanted some extra opinions on my SPS. These are 2 of my first SPS and their colors have changed quite a bit since I first received them. The birdsnest, however, continues to grow regardless, but the color looks nothing like when I first bought it. The other sps hasn't grown much at all. Take a look at these comparisons and let me know what you think....

Thanks!

Birdsnest comparison over 8-9 month period (2nd pic has no actinic lights) -


Other SPS over several months, maybe 6 or so (no actinic lights) -

 

[cnreef]

Also, for those curious... my lighting fixture is a Reefbreeders value LED no optics raised 6 inches above the water (as suggested by Reefbreeders owner) with "whites" at 40% and blues at 30%. The birdsnest is around 3-4 inches under the waterline, the other sps is around 8 inches below the waterline.

 

[Peter Eichler]

How long is your photo period? What are you nitrate and phosphate levels? Carbon dosing, GAC use, GFO use?

 

[jroovers]

They look a bit nutrient starved to me. Building off what Peter asked, if your nutrients are undetectable, you may want to bump up your feedings and reduce your skimming a bit to help get them coloured up.

 

[cnreef]

How long is your photo period? What are you nitrate and phosphate levels? Carbon dosing, GAC use, GFO use?

Nitrates - 0
Phosphates - .004
Magnesium - 1300
Calcium - 400
Alkalinity - 7 dkh
Maybe a cup or 2 of carbon in my sump, no gfo or any reactors.

Photoperiod is 12-930 blues, 1-8 whites

 

[cnreef]

They look a bit nutrient starved to me. Building off what Peter asked, if your nutrients are undetectable, you may want to bump up your feedings and reduce your skimming a bit to help get them coloured up.

Hmm, I do have a skimmer that is oversized, maybe I should only run it a few days a week? And I do feed fairly lightly... I have only 3 fish (clown pair and a blenny) and feed every 2 days around 1/4 or 1/2 a cube of frozen mysis.

 

[Reef Bass]

feed them

 

[Peter Eichler]

Keep skimming heavy, feed the corals and fish more. I'd also cut the photo period back to no more than 9 or 10 hours.

 

[kevin_e]

I concur. Feed a little more, maybe add a fish or two.

 

[sahin]

Definitely feed more, keep the skimmer running and ensure weekly water changes are carried out.