Browning SPS - is it really a bad thing?

[ScottR]

I have an acro (fresh from Aussie waters) that I just got and it immediately turned brown. I understand that it’s the color of the zooxanthellae within the coral itself, covering up the natural color of the coral itself. Perhaps it’s due to high PO4 and NO3. Is this something to be concerned about or is it bad for the coral? I don’t care much about the color but more so the health of the coral itself.

The polyps come out slightly during the day. Don’t see them coming out after lights off.

1.026
pH 8.1-.2
Alk 10.2
Ca 420-450
Mg 1500
PO4 .003ish
NO3 <25

 

[ScottR]

Forgot to mention lighting. Running T5 and LED

 

[Nanoreefboi]

Your po4 looks good (I believe you meant 0.03ppm), mine is at about 0.25ppm. I haven’t had much luck with very colorful wild acros. But one of my wild brown acros is starting to get a pinkish hue at the tip and yellow at the base. Maybe you just have to wait it out.

 

[Hockey Stick]

I've had many acros brown out on me soon after introducing them into my take. Usually within 6-8 weeks they will regain most of their color back as it adjusts to your tanks chemistry.

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

I have an acro (fresh from Aussie waters) that I just got and it immediately turned brown. I understand that it’s the color of the zooxanthellae within the coral itself, covering up the natural color of the coral itself. Perhaps it’s due to high PO4 and NO3. Is this something to be concerned about or is it bad for the coral? I don’t care much about the color but more so the health of the coral itself.

The polyps come out slightly during the day. Don’t see them coming out after lights off.

1.026
pH 8.1-.2
Alk 10.2
Ca 420-450
Mg 1500
PO4 .003ish
NO3 <25

Is it brown or is it starting to look “dried up”? How do you get your po4 to 0.003 ppm

 

[ScottR]

PO4 is 0.03. One too many zeros. But I also have some macro so my phosphates may be higher but I guess not alarming. Attached a pic. Polyps can barely be seen and I don’t see them coming out much. I acclimated them to my lighting.

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

How do you get your po4 to 0.03?

 

[ScottR]

How do you get your po4 to 0.03?

Running a fuge perhaps. Not overfeeding. I have a low bioload and run a BB tank.

 

[ZaneTer]

I’m running BB and I have to dose PO4, I just put it in my ATO. Mind you the ATO is 1000 litres. I am away for very long periods and had too many issues with no phosphate.

 

[ScottR]

I’m running BB and I have to dose PO4, I just put it in my ATO. Mind you the ATO is 1000 litres. I am away for very long periods and had too many issues with no phosphate.

When I test for phosphates, I barely get a blue color on them. Always wondered what to do.

 

[ZaneTer]

Fairly stead dosage throughout the day via ATO for me. Even on ICP PO4 didn’t register...

No GFO or carbon dosing.

 

[Graffiti Spot]

PO4 is 0.03. One too many zeros. But I also have some macro so my phosphates may be higher but I guess not alarming. Attached a pic. Polyps can barely be seen and I don’t see them coming out much. I acclimated them to my lighting.

Nice purple saminoensis, I think that’s what it looks like at least. The coral doesn’t look brown to me it looks purple but stressed from the trip. I would leave everything alone and just keep an eye out for any bad or good signs.

 

[29bonsaireef]

Looks fine to me as well. As long as you're not seeing any signs of tissue necrosis, it's okay. Wild stuff can take a bit of time to recover before it starts showing off again. Only concern I would have is that your alk is high for wild stuff. I would have it somewhere closer to 7's or low 8's. That's just my opinion, though

 

[ScottR]

Thanks for your replies. I use a Hanna checker for alk. It tests consistently at 10.2.

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

I didn’t even notice your alk. That is pretty high for 0.03 po4

 

[ScottR]

I didn’t even notice your alk. That is pretty high for 0.03 po4

 

[ScottR]

My latest test, via Hanna, is 10.5....

 

[Sailfinguy21]

Never had an acropora or any sps brown on me.. well cept one a yellow porities but i dont think i had high enough lighting for that coral.

My nitrates are 10 phosphates are .5ppm i dont even care about my phosphates. I have 7 acroporas.. and like 25 other sps corals