What causes browning? What causes bleaching?

Browning can be lack of light, to much nitrates, to much phosphates or poor water conditions.

Bleaching is normally to much light or starving a coral is normally the two causes I've seen.
 
Think of it this way: brown colour is caused by an excess of zooxanthellae, symbiotic algae, in coral. Like all algae, they are impacted by light & nutrients. Browning is an increase in zoox population, usually caused by excess nutrients. Bleaching is loss of zoox caused by excess light (burning), highly insufficient light or insufficient nutrients.
 
Alk being to high with low nutrients can also lead to tip burn/bleaching.

Thanks for all the replys.

I def. think Alk is my problem.

Its sitting around 8 at night. So its probably around 7 in the morning.

I only have a few SPS but they are all browned out. Good PE, but all brown.

Thanks guys,

Charley
 
No expert but would high alk low nutrient cause bleaching instead of browning out?

Normally I diagnose browning to high nutrients and/or insufficient lighting...
 

Similar threads

Back
Top