what makes a favia's "lights" go out?

[dixiedog]

I have this neon green favia that has one of it's neon eyes that has no neon at all left in it, and a couple more that are losing that neon green color.

Not enough light? Too much light? Too low nutrient level (it's an SPS tank)?

 

[seapug]

could be a number of different causes, but usually related to too much light. Can you post a photo?

 

[Sheol]

I've had many that just changed color because of water conditions. However, usually it is light. Either *TOO* much, or *Too Little* light.

Matt

 

[dixiedog]

Okay, finally got a photo. The favia is growing, has great PE in the evening and eats mini-mysis like a pig, but now three of its eyes have lost their green almost entirely and I think maybe another one is starting to go.

It's about a foot under the surface, under a 4x24 T5. Doesn't sound like much light, but there's a Maxima doing fine even lower than that. PAR is about 225 - 250.

 

[jc-reef]

It looks very bleached to me...I would try to place it toward the bottom, even shaded if possible. They seem to like less light. Maybe even feed more after you move it to help color back up. Also, how long do you run your photo period for??

That is what I did with mine (shaded under a rock cliff) and it is very flourecent and continues to grow....athough a smaller eye version that yours. (not the greatest macro pic)

 

[dixiedog]

The photo is a little overexposed, but yes the corallite walls are a little bit pale. What puzzles me is that the eyes that went out are not the upward-facing ones. (Or the downward facing ones for that matter)

My photoperiod has been being cut back lately. It currently stands at 2 bulbs for 11.5 hrs, 4 bulbs for 4.5 hrs.

That's a beautiful piece you've got there!

 

[RokleM]

It does appear that you're having some issues. The coral to the right (appears to be SPS) also looks relatively bleached. Can you give us a FTS and your parameters? How long has the system been setup?

 

[dixiedog]

Current FTS (camera is garbage, all $$ is spent on reefing). Everything looks paler than it is (just look at the sand!) but everything IS pale to one extent or another. I'll probably move the favia into some shade if the recent photoperiod reduction doesn't help.

The tank has been set up since July '09. Params are 420 - 8.5 - 1340.

 

[reeferlover]

yep looks very light in there all the corals do that is. i would say too much light on the favia. they are very low light. Trust me i have been dealing with the same issues. I have gone to 4 actinics with two high par bulbs. To prevent this. GOOD LUCK

 

[eja99]

I would move it down, it looks bleached. Put it in a shaded area and it will be fine. My favia grow in very low par.

 

[RokleM]

Everything looks pretty bleached. Are you doing vodka dosing or anything similar? I would recommend cutting down on the light period and feeding quite a bit more for the sake of everything. Get some nutrients back into the water. In reference to the LPS, I would move them down as far as possible.

 

[Jabberwock]

I'm pretty sure favia likes low light due to the reflective way that it gathers light.. //shrug. All of mine is shaded and happy.

 

[dixiedog]

Everything looks pretty bleached. Are you doing vodka dosing or anything similar? I would recommend cutting down on the light period and feeding quite a bit more for the sake of everything. Get some nutrients back into the water. In reference to the LPS, I would move them down as far as possible.

No vodka or similar. Very light fish load: one tailspot and two neon gobies (one of which eats no prepared food!) in 30 gallons total.

I use oyster feast, 15 drops per day, any more and cyano gets out of hand.

 

[RokleM]

I don't know your plans for the tank, but I'd add a few more poop machines (if possible) and start feeding more. Even if it's grinding up flake food and sprinkling it in once or so a day.

 

[dixiedog]

Can't. Cyano takes over. I'm feeding all I can unless I want an all-red aquascape. I'm going to add five Trimma canas very soon, but their combined bioload is still just about zilch.

I do feed my LPS's pretty heavy. I always figured coral poop was as good as fish poop?

 

[RokleM]

What type of flow is in the tank?

 

[dixiedog]

MP10, lagoon mode, 100%. Rio 1700 return. About ... 60x all told?

Skimmer is an Octopus NWB-110.

 

[dixiedog]

Okay, she's been moved into the shade. Here's a FTS from the other side, showing where it is now. I'll update when there's a change of some kind.

 

[reeferlover]

yeah everything is lite colored it will coming back whats your light? BULBS FIxTURE TIMES

 

[dixiedog]

I'm running a 4x24 TEK which is DIY fan cooled. Blue+/ATI aquasun/fiji purple/blue+.

My photoperiod had been much longer but it now currently stands at: blues 11.5hrs, others 4.5hrs. SPS colors are improving.