Corals Browning/Green tint

[jcosta98]

Hi guys,

Having the issues in the title , with the following parameters:

11.5 dKH
1365 Mg
410 Ca
0.046 Po4
5 ppm No3

Running an AI Prime HD with AB+ preset + 35% power, so low light is not an issue. What could be making this happen?
Meanwhile , I will be in the process of bringing down my Alk closer to NSW levels.

Although all the corals turning brown, I have one montipora jedi mind trick that looks gorgeous ...

 

[2021 reefer]

Do u have sps only?

 

[jcosta98]

No, got some LPS and Zoanthids, everything normal

 

[2021 reefer]

No, got some LPS and Zoanthids, everything normal

? So none of them are turning brown? Are all the corals turning brown or just the sps?

 

[jcosta98]

? So none of them are turning brown? Are all the corals turning brown or just the sps?

Yes, only the sps , every other is looking like normal. I tought only sps could go brown

 

[hometown9]

My experience has been elevated PO4 and NO3 values drive browning in SPS.

 

[jcosta98]

I think my chemistry is Ok , also new growth shows the correct colour for a while. Could it be stress? Tank is only like 90% stable as I've been tweeking stuff ( But they never had "good" colour, always browned , expcept that montipora)

 

[hometown9]

I think my chemistry is Ok , also new growth shows the correct colour for a while. Could it be stress? Tank is only like 90% stable as I've been tweeking stuff ( But they never had "good" colour, always browned , expcept that montipora)

If new growth is showing color and then browning, I think it's a nutrient issue...too much. What's your PO4, NO3?

 

[jcosta98]

If new growth is showing color and then browning, I think it's a nutrient issue...too much. What's your PO4, NO3?

0.046 Po4
5 ppm No3


it could even be low for the Alk I'm running

 

[Rmckoy]

If new growth is showing color and then browning, I think it's a nutrient issue...too much. What's your PO4, NO3?

I was thinking low nutrients with higher alk .
the skeleton is growing faster than the flesh

 

[jcosta98]

I was thinking low nutrients with higher alk .
the skeleton is growing faster than the flesh

The thing is I don't have white tips, only browning ( except for a montipora for some reason)

 

[hometown9]

0.046 Po4
5 ppm No3


it could even be low for the Alk I'm running

Browning is always tricky. In the wild it can actually be a sign of a healthy specimen, or one that is trying to protect itself from some external stress. Have you run an ICP? Those values above seem fine. do you have a picture of the pieces in question?

 

[jcosta98]

Browning is always tricky. In the wild it can actually be a sign of a healthy specimen, or one that is trying to protect itself from some external stress. Have you run an ICP? Those values above seem fine. do you have a picture of the pieces in question?

No ICP yet, but I will do it soon. I think it might be stress, for not having 100% stability, somehow it is affecting colour but not growth. Here are some pictures of some of the pieces

In these, the new growth is light blue like that montipora behind it , but the body turned brown a long time ago

This one has been "browner" but is coming back with some hints of red and green tint

 

[flozfzx1]

? So none of them are turning brown? Are all the corals turning brown or just the sps?

This happen to me and I thought it was lighting but it was P04 n NO3 after a few weeks the colors recover.

 

[N3mo]

I had some go brown then bounce back after it got acclimated to the tank.

They can brown out from the shipping stress and new tank, but will bounce back with good parameters and stability.

 

[minus9]

Is this a nano tank? 35% seems low to me, what's your par level where the sps are located? Montis will do well under various par levels, acropora are a little more particular. Alk is a little high, but let it come down on its own over time. If the pieces are new, then they can brown/green out sometimes, but I suspect they are just in lower par.

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

How do you know “lighting is not an issue”? Have you checked your par? I have a prime 16 hd over a 6g frag tank and I was surprised how low the par is on it. I have it at 50w. Low par will cause browner sps. So will low bio load/over stripping the water.

 

[hometown9]

No ICP yet, but I will do it soon. I think it might be stress, for not having 100% stability, somehow it is affecting colour but not growth. Here are some pictures of some of the pieces

In these, the new growth is light blue like that montipora behind it , but the body turned brown a long time ago

This one has been "browner" but is coming back with some hints of red and green tint

 

[jcosta98]

How do you know “lighting is not an issue”? Have you checked your par? I have a prime 16 hd over a 6g frag tank and I was surprised how low the par is on it. I have it at 50w. Low par will cause browner sps. So will low bio load/over stripping the water.

I tought it was not an issue because of the BRS videos I saw using it and the PAR they registered, I don't have a way to test PAR , sadly Also , my sps are in the upper half of the tank only, now I'm not sure

 

[hometown9]

Could be stress, but I still think nutrients. ICP will hopefully confirm. Browning is not always a sign of things gone awry, in fact many times just the opposite. Vivid colors on SPS are usually achieved on the brink of starvation. It's why we keep NO3 and PO4 very low but not 0. Try and keep all feedings low.