What is bleaching?

[kelso1980]

and how do I prevent it? I figure that it turns coral white, probably by killing the photosynthetic bacteria in it? Can zoos get bleached?

 

[seapug]

Keeping temperatures stable and below about 83-84 degrees is the best way to prevent it, but it can also be caused by other water parameters going out of whack. Zoanthids are generally pretty resistant to it, but theoretically, can bleach.

 

[greenbean36191]

Bleaching is a general stress response where the zooxanthallae are expelled. It can be caused by high temperatures, low temperatures, toxins, low light, high light, low flow, infection, or any number of stressors. Any animal housing zooxanthellae can bleach.

You prevent bleaching by avoiding these stressors. Keeping temperatures stable does not help prevent bleaching. In fact, fluctuating temperatures have been shown to prevent the stress that leads to bleaching.

 

[firebirdude]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13328664#post13328664 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by greenbean36191
[BKeeping temperatures stable does not help prevent bleaching. In fact, fluctuating temperatures have been shown to prevent the stress that leads to bleaching. [/B]

Interesting

 

[seapug]

Good news. Now I'm not so worried about the 4 degree swing my tank goes through sometimes.

 

[cloak]

Fall is in the air.