unhappy aussie favia, help needed please

[rgauvin]

I've had this aussie favia in my tank for about 5 months now and I just cannot seem to make him happy. I've tried placing him higher in the water column, and lower, but regardless of what I do, his green "eyes" will not color nicely.

My nitrates are .1 PPM (salifert)
PH is 8.0
Temp is 78.5
SG/Salinity 1.023
ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Alk is a little low 140 (hanna checker) which converts to 7.8 dKH
lighting is an ecotech radion

My other coral and my RBTA seem to be doing well (My frogspawn has "exploaded from 3 heads when I bought it 5 months ago to 11 heads now)


So here is a pic I snapped of my aussie favia in case it gives anyone something to think of. It is int he middle of the aquarium under the radion, in the bottom third of the tank (maybe 16 inches below the waterline)

 

[staindsoul]

Looks like too much light IMO. My acan loses brighter coloring in more intense lighting. They are slow growers I believe.

Also from the picture it looks dangerously close to your rbta.

 

[rgauvin]

There's about 4 inches between the RBTA and favia. If the Favia is getting too much light I can always try in one of the corners of the tank there the light from the radio should be weaker.

 

[staindsoul]

id wait for a few more replys before moving it. you dont wanna keep moving it around alot. have you tried target feeding anything to see if it will color some more? it doesnt look bad from the picture.

 

[rgauvin]

I am trying to not get into the habit of target feeding corals unless I have to. I am trying to keep it a lower level of work if possible to make it easier when i travel and the wife has to look after everything.

 

[Reef Bass]

My experience, favias enjoy being fed. It makes them happy, colorful and they grow faster. You could feed it when you're around, and not when you're traveling. It'll be ok.