Browning Out. What Does it Mean?

[Roboson]

I hear the term all the time and I've seen it and know what it looks like. There are a few things I would like to know.

I would like to know what causes it.

I would like to know what the coral is doing that makes it brown.

I would like to know how bad turning brown is for the coral. Or if it just makes it ugly.


If anyone could tell me the answers to these things please do.

 

[twilliard]

Browning out is the increase of zooanthelle algae.
Typically from elevated po4
Also can be seen from a lack of par from the lighting.
@Russ265 throw some input in here!

 

[jsker]

I hear the term all the time and I've seen it and know what it looks like. There are a few things I would like to know.

I would like to know what causes it.
Lack of nutrients and lack of good light.
I would like to know what the coral is doing that makes it brown.
The coral is starved for food and good light I could try to explain this but this post dose a better job
I would like to know how bad turning brown is for the coral. Or if it just makes it ugly.
Not good, but with proper care you can bring them back

If anyone could tell me the answers to these things please do.

Your answers are in red

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I believe Mr F said a build up of nutrients PO and No builds up acetate in the flesh of a coral, high nutrients, one "cure
" is higher lighting to allow the photosynthesis to complete the use of those nutrients into usable sugars.

But yes, it is sometimes caused by poor nutrients as well. I.e. Faded colors.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Oh as far as bad it depends IME on the stability and health of the tank. It's similar to obesity or being very out of shape. The metabolism is blocked so it's likely susceptible to other disease etc and is unstable.

And fwiw I have a now pretty high nutrient tank (digging talbot)and one SPS browned a bit on me and right next to it another SPS is perfectly colored and growing like crazy.

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

Here is an example of my mummy eye chalice browning due to lack of light. Once I moved it up into rocks the color came back in full force in about a months time. (Sorry for the poor brownout photo)

 

[Russ265]

Browning out is the increase of zooanthelle algae.
Typically from elevated po4
Also can be seen from a lack of par from the lighting.
@Russ265 throw some input in here!

guy nailed it.

too many nutrients is limited by par alone. these coral can handle so much par. its all about nutrients and power.

if they are brown;

lower nutrient or buy a stadium halogen.

 

[Roboson]

This is the only halogen I have.

I'm not sure it would be the best thing to point at my aquarium [emoji12]

 

[Russ265]

This is the only halogen I have.

I'm not sure it would be the best thing to point at my aquarium [emoji12]

was kidding my friend.

brown corals are usually too little light.

bleached is too clean a system.

one caveat:
ive had a couple bleach after transport. bone white. i did nothing. they just recover if you have the nutrients.

5-10 nitrate and .02-.1 po4 and you are good

 

[Roboson]

Hmmm. I'm gonna have to seriously denutrify my tank for my charity case then. I'm not even close to the cleanness level I should be at.

 

[Russ265]

Hmmm. I'm gonna have to seriously denutrify my tank for my charity case then. I'm not even close to the cleanness level I should be at.

then you are one step closer to a fun tank

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

O

Hmmm. I'm gonna have to seriously denutrify my tank for my charity case then. I'm not even close to the cleanness level I should be at.

Or increase the lighting an let the corals help you do it...

 

[Roboson]

then you are one step closer to a fun tank

Right now my tank is "fun." I have an SPS that I never dreamed of getting until I saw it at my LFS. Hopefully I can figure out how to save it.

 

[Roboson]

O

Or increase the lighting an let the corals help you do it...

Like increase duration of "daylight" lighting?

 

[BoneXriffic]

Im going to get stoned for this...so i will duck after i speak.... get some halides, l.e.d.s are like washing your hands in moisturizing gentile soap.

Halides are like washing your hands in gasoline soaked sand while on fire....

 

[Russ265]

Im going to get stoned for this...so i will duck after i speak.... get some halides, l.e.d.s are like washing your hands in moisturizing gentile soap.

Halides are like washing your hands in gasoline soaked sand while on fire....

dispelling myths, one image at a time

 

[twilliard]

Good one russ!
Now give your corals a break from the sun lol
I need a PAR meter this diy light is toasting my zoanthids on the top of the rocks

 

[Dwb5]

Not trying to butt in on the op. But how do the aquarium tops play into cutting down on par readings? I to have some that will not color up and some that look great.

 

[twilliard]

Not trying to butt in on the op. But how do the aquarium tops play into cutting down on par readings? I to have some that will not color up and some that look great.

Anything between the lamps and water will have a drop in intensity, diffusion and ultimately par

 

[Roboson]

I have some LED lights for my upgrade. Theyre in 54w arrays. Could I take my dying SPS out of the tank and put it in a 5g bucket with freshly mixed water, a heater, and a power head (all under the big LEDs)? Would that be better than leaving it under the power compacts?