Coral Bleaching?

Dw79 · Nov 26, 2019

Hi there.
Have kept a fowlr tank for a few years and decided to take the plunge into adding coral about 6 months ago. Picked up a Blastomussa frag about 4 or 5 months ago and it has been doing great, lots of new heads. A few days ago I notice it was pail looking in the center. Nothing has changed in the tank. Is this bleaching and if so what could cause this?
Temp 78
Salinity 35ppt
Nitrate 2
Phosphate 0.1
Calcium 430
Alk 9
Mag 1280

Waters · Nov 27, 2019

Yeah, does look like bleaching. Are the edges that are more shaded darker (looks like it in the picture but it is hard to tell)? If so, moving it to a lower PAR area might help. Also they appreciate higher nutrients than what your tank is currently sitting at......direct feeding will help also if you aren't already doing that.

ahiggins · Nov 27, 2019

That’s what I was thinking too. I’ve never had anything bleach on me (mostly because I use underpowered lights lol) but it does look like that.

Dw79 · Nov 27, 2019

Thanks for your replies. Its a little more shaded on the right side. I direct feed 3 times a week and my lights are under powered aswell. Lol
I have 2 orbit marine ic pros and moving it could be a challenge as I may have been a little heavy handed with the glue when I placed it. I will try to let the nutrients build a little higher and hope for the best.
Thanks again