Birdsnest turning white

[kryz]

My orange birdsnest is starting to turn white. The first 4 pics it's starting at the base and moving up the coral. The other pic it's just a small spot as of right now. It seems to be starting underneath the coral. I have had these pieces for 2 months. They all started as tiny frags and at least tripled in size. Last night I looked for pests with a flashlight but I didnt see any. My lighting is the standard biocube 32 LED lighting but it hasnt been a problem. I have 2 smaller frags of blue birdsnest and they seem unaffected and growing. I have an alternating gyre providing enough flow on 2 of the 3 pieces for sure. The other piece is lower in the tank.
S.G. 1.024
Temp 79
Nitrate almost zero
Nitrite 0
Ammonia 0
Calcium 450
Alk 10 dkh
Mag 1420
Phosphate 0
I use no3po4x and RedSeas coral nutrition A and B daily as well as alternating reef roids and reef chili.
Should I dip the coral? Would that help with the STN i guess if that's what it is?
I tried to provide as much info as possible. Thanks!

 

[Reeferdood]

Birdsnest corals will almost always start loosing tissue on the bottom of the coral due to shading. It is hard to say if you have a parasite or not so I would see if it starts rapidly getting worse before dipping them. Even though you are feeding reef energy I feel you are not doing the corals any favors by having no nitrate or phosphate present, I would bump them up a little bit.

 

[29bonsaireef]

Looks like a mixture of inadequate lighting and flow, imo. Guttatus loves both.

 

[SashimiTurtle]

I would say the Biocube light isn't strong enough and doesn't provide enough cover... Those things were never meant to keep SPS in. Look into a retrofit to a better light, or upgrade to a bigger tank with better lights. Either way, I think 99% of your problem is the light.

 

[kryz]

Okay someone posted par readings for the biocube a while ago here it is . . .

I cant verify these results but if they are in the ballpark is the top right par high enough (172)? I know the light is not good enough for most SPS but i read birdsnest was easier and the frags were $5 so I figured I would give it a try. I was looking into getting the SB Reef lights as a replacement. But it probably wont be right away

 

[SashimiTurtle]

You may be able to keep them alive in that par but they won't look their best. 250-300 is where you'll want to be.

Most SPS will lose color and die on the bottom as they grow anyway. T5 helps this as it covers better than LED or MH, but it still happens some.

 

[kryz]

Okay thanks for the info, was mostly concerned about a pest being in the tank but what everyone said makes sense

 

[kryz]

I also have a few montis as well, they are right at the top of the tank though. They look like the are doing great and growing. Do you think the light may be a problem for them?

 

[29bonsaireef]

Your montis are probably okay. They can tolerate pretty low light. Might not have the very best growth and color but they will live. I have a few encrusting Montipora doing fine around 100-150par.

 

[Grsfish]

I have a few different types of birdsnest and all of the colonies have some branches on the bottom that have been shaded out once the colonies start getting bigger