Chalice Question / Help

[TimothyJ]

I have a chalice frag that has been in the tank for 3+ months. Location in the tank has stayed the same during this time frame. Did go from 250W to 400W in a 27" deep tank with the lights about 8" off the top of water. I noticed today there is a small area on the frag that is showing a bit of white skeleton. It is hard to see in the photo, but was curious of others opinions and if there is anything I should do. Thanks.

 

[shrimplet]

It just looks a bit bleached in that spot. Prob to much light can u move it lower in the tank? Or off to the side maybe

 

[TimothyJ]

I can move it into a more shaded area. It is already on the sand bed and off the side.

 

[shrimplet]

Ya i would try moving it in to a more shaded area

 

[Tab28]

I use mh but only 2-250 in a 24" tank. So 400 in a 27" seems like alot for chalices. I place mine in shaded areas which i do not have much of. I also place on outer edge of tank with frag racks at mid-point creating a shade ledge. Several frags on racks help create shade for chalices below.

 

[TimothyJ]

I moved it to a more shaded area. When doing so, I raised it to the top of the water and it doesn't look like any skeleton is showing, just a pail color of skin. I will keep observing over the next week and post updates. Thanks for the help.

 

[Tab28]

That is more than likely bleached area. You caught it before it got worse. It should recolor itself in the shaded area. Good luck

 

[TimothyJ]

So the chalice has gotten worse and bleached out more around the edge. I have moved it to an area that is getting hardly any light at all. I am curious, if I were to frag it to remove this area, what is the likelihood of success with such a small piece? Any other approaches I should entertain?

 

[Tab28]

Take a new pix. If it is bleaching for some reason. Removing the bleached areas will not remedy it. You need to find out what is causing it. What other corals do you have that are in the same lighting area as the chalice during the bleaching? Too little light will cause bleaching as well, since the zooxanthellae will not get enough light. If it is bleaching it should be at the areas of chalice getting the most light. What are your water perimeters? Bleaching can be caused by a number of factors other than lighting.

 

[TimothyJ]

Take a new pix. If it is bleaching for some reason. Removing the bleached areas will not remedy it. You need to find out what is causing it. What other corals do you have that are in the same lighting area as the chalice during the bleaching? Too little light will cause bleaching as well, since the zooxanthellae will not get enough light. If it is bleaching it should be at the areas of chalice getting the most light. What are your water perimeters? Bleaching can be caused by a number of factors other than lighting.

I did some more heavy reading on this issue and a lot of people it seems have said low Alk or low nutrients could also be a cause. Other corals in the area are a handful of other chalices (which seem unaffected) as well as encrusting montis and some acros. I will test parameters tonight. I do have a independent frag tank system that I could move it to and see if it changes the situation. My fear with that is the system is less stable due to it being a smaller (1/10th) volume of water.