Coral Losing Color

[MDProuty]

I added a Green Leptoseris coral to my tank a few weeks ago and it seems to be losing its color. It was bright green when I bought it, and now it is much darker/duller. I placed it at the bottom of my tank for low light / low flow conditions. A couple days ago I moved it up a bit so it can get more light. Am I doing something wrong? I’d like to revive this guy if possible...

 

[MDProuty]

This is what it looked like before for reference (not a picture of mine)

 

[kpoj9]

Start with basics. What are your water parameters and temp?

 

[Fourstars]

What are your phosphate and nitrate levels? What is your lighting setup, is the second picture from your tank or the sellers?

 

[MDProuty]

Start with basics. What are your water parameters and temp?

Yesterday evening I was running at the following parameters:

• Salinity: 1.023 d SG
• Temperature: 80.6 F (has drifted up from typical average of 77 F over past week)
• pH: 7
• kH: 161.1 ppm
• Ammonia: 0 ppm
• Nitrite: 0 ppm
• Nitrate: 10 ppm
• Phosphate: 0.5 ppm
• Calcium: 440 ppm

I do a 10% water change weekly and dose with 6 ml Algae Management (NO3O4-X), 6 ml Coralline Algae Accelerator, and 2.5 ml ChaetoGro.

 

[MDProuty]

What are your phosphate and nitrate levels? What is your lighting setup, is the second picture from your tank or the sellers?

The second picture is the seller’s picture.

I run a Current USA Orbit Marine IC LED light at 75% white, 100% blue, 100% red, 100% green.

 

[Fourstars]

I don’t see any issues your n/p your lighting may be more intense then the tank it came from. give it time it will color back up.

 

[MDProuty]

I don’t see any issues your n/p your lighting may be more intense then the tank it came from. give it time it will color back up.

Thanks! Fingers crossed...

 

[Jet915]

Salinity should be 1.025-1.026, pH should be around 9, phosphate is pretty high in general as well. Are u you using api to test parameters? How old is the tank? Current lights arent the best either (I use them but I supplement them alot) and typically you wanna keep the reds and green lights low to reduce algae growth.

 

[MDProuty]

Salinity should be 1.025-1.026, pH should be around 9, phosphate is pretty high in general as well. Are u you using api to test parameters? How old is the tank? Current lights arent the best either (I use them but I supplement them alot) and typically you wanna keep the reds and green lights low to reduce algae growth.

My tank is just over a year old. I do use API for my testing. I thought my pH was supposed to be 8.1 - 8.3 based on what I’ve read. I haven’t been able to get it that high even. What do you use to raise your pH?

I’m going to try reducing my reds and greens to better control my algae. What do you use to supplement your Current light? I do like the storm affects as well as the tie in to the pump controls.

 

[Dana Riddle]

My tank is just over a year old. I do use API for my testing. I thought my pH was supposed to be 8.1 - 8.3 based on what I’ve read. I haven’t been able to get it that high even. What do you use to raise your pH?

I’m going to try reducing my reds and greens to better control my algae. What do you use to supplement your Current light? I do like the storm affects as well as the tie in to the pump controls.

Your pH is fine. Fluorescent proteins can be sensitive to pH, if too high or too low the beta can can be cracked and color loss results. Your water parameters don't give me any heartburn. Personally, I think your red light is too high. Zooxanthellae density/chlorophyll content could be affected. If the zoox are not happy, the coral animal might not be either (it's the coral that produces the colorful proteins, not the zoox.) Do you have a PAR or lux meter?

 

[MDProuty]

Thanks for the feedback! I’ll try turning down my reds. I don’t PAR or lux meter, but am not opposed to investing in one. What light levels should I be targeting?

 

[Dana Riddle]

Thanks for the feedback! I’ll try turning down my reds. I don’t PAR or lux meter, but am not opposed to investing in one. What light levels should I be targeting?

Personally, I like the Apogee quantum meters, especially the MQ-510. Not inexpensive, but if you're buying coral frags at $50-$100 a pop, the meter will pay for itself. Also useful for looking at PAR dropping when using fluorescent or metal halide lamps. Shoot for a minimum PAR of 175 micromol/m2/sec at the bottom of the tank

 

[kpoj9]

Agree with some of the comments about the lighting. My advice would be to invest in a better test kit to get an accurate test result. API isn‘t that reliable. Your salinity and PH are low. Should be in 1.025-1.026 and 8-8.5 range. Do you test for magnesium? That’s important too but not as much as CA and KH. You could try dosing Seachem Reef Trace and Reef Plus to give your coral some added nutrients.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Change up lighting keeping red and green at about 6% and increase blue a little. You salinity is a little low- bring it to 1.025 and keep an eye on nitrates.
If unsure about parameters, get a second opinion by taking water sample to a trusted LFS and have them verify your reading before you attempt any changes.

 

[Jet915]

My tank is just over a year old. I do use API for my testing. I thought my pH was supposed to be 8.1 - 8.3 based on what I’ve read. I haven’t been able to get it that high even. What do you use to raise your pH?

I’m going to try reducing my reds and greens to better control my algae. What do you use to supplement your Current light? I do like the storm affects as well as the tie in to the pump controls.

Whoops, yeah, pH around 8.2. I use 4 t5 fixtures and an orphek led bar to supplement in order to grow sps. API is horrible for alkalinity and phosphate where u need an accurate measurement.

 

[Dana Riddle]

Your pH is fine. Fluorescent proteins can be sensitive to pH, if too high or too low the beta can can be cracked and color loss results. Your water parameters don't give me any heartburn. Personally, I think your red light is too high. Zooxanthellae density/chlorophyll content could be affected. If the zoox are not happy, the coral animal might not be either (it's the coral that produces the colorful proteins, not the zoox.) Do you have a PAR or lux meter?

Oops! I misread your pH. Yes, the other comments are correct! pH should be at least 8.0. I'll have to be more careful (or clean my glasses.)

 

[MDProuty]

Whoops, yeah, pH around 8.2. I use 4 t5 fixtures and an orphek led bar to supplement in order to grow sps. API is horrible for alkalinity and phosphate where u need an accurate measurement.

I just purchased the Hanna reef test kit so that I can get some more accurate digital readouts of my parameters. Hopefully that helps with my testing...

 

[MDProuty]

How do I get my pH up to 8.2 from 7? It looks like most people use alkalinity and/or calcium supplements to raise the pH using sodium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate, respectively. I feel like my alkalinity and calcium levels are good, and don’t want to inadvertently make these levels too high because of increasing pH to the right level. Thoughts?...

 

[Dana Riddle]

How do I get my pH up to 8.2 from 7? It looks like most people use alkalinity and/or calcium supplements to raise the pH using sodium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate, respectively. I feel like my alkalinity and calcium levels are good, and don’t want to inadvertently make these levels too high because of increasing pH to the right level. Thoughts?...

Verify that 7 pH first. Years ago (like 1964), I bought a bottle of Rila pH indicator. pH read low and I added baking soda according to directions from the LFS. I added a little checked pH and it didn't come up. Long story short, I added a whole box. The Condylactis anemone did not respond well. i've never trusted liquid pH indicators since unless there is an expiration date.