Poccilopora bleaching from the base.

[donnievaz]

I just noticed tonight that my otherwise very healthy poccilopora is bleaching from the base up. Not sure when this started but I look at the tank every day so I think I would have noticed it but who knows. Everything else looks normal. This colony started from a frag less than a quarter of the size it is now and has always been very healthy. I'm not sure what to do if there's anything I can do.

 

[hybridazn]

Any changes to the tank, parameters?

 

[sil40sx]

Frag it ASAP, to save the rest of the colony. It was probably from a sudden parameter swing.

Trust me, there's no other guaranteed way to save a coral from RTN/STN. I had same exact experience.

 

[donnievaz]

Any changes to the tank, parameters?

None that I'm aware of. I'll do a full barrage of tests tomorrow but really the tank's been unchanged for at least 4 months. No new additions, coral or livestock.

 

[donnievaz]

Alk 6.7 (normally try keep it around 7.5, this measurement was taken about 24 hours after 2-part dosing)
Calcium 350
Mag 1400
Nitrates 4ppm
Phosphates .08
ph 8.3

 

[donnievaz]

Fragged it up, kind sad but glad I could save it (hopefully)

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Frag it ASAP, to save the rest of the colony. It was probably from a sudden parameter swing.

Trust me, there's no other guaranteed way to save a coral from RTN/STN. I had same exact experience.

Oh, too late. Are you sure it wasnt just because the bottom got no light?Mine is about six inches or more like 8 x 5 in and is bare bones on the bottom as it should be with no lights under the coral..

 

[donnievaz]

Oh, too late. Are you sure it wasnt just because the bottom got no light?Mine is about six inches or more like 8 x 5 in and is bare bones on the bottom as it should be with no lights under the coral..

I thought about that but it looks like it was going way faster than it should. If you look at the picture where it's on the paper towel, on the very bottom of the base to can see where it has been bare for a long time vs. the bright bleached white areas which seemed to happen over a day or two at most.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I thought about that but it looks like it was going way faster than it should

Got it. good call then..

 

[Donovan Joannes]

Poci (and birdnest) is sensitive to potassium deficiency. I use it as an indicator for potassium level in my tank. I might be wrong, but nothing to loose IMO. Have you tested your water for potassium?

 

[donnievaz]

Poci (and birdnest) is sensitive to potassium deficiency. I use it as an indicator for potassium level in my tank. I might be wrong, but nothing to loose IMO. Have you tested your water for potassium?

Not lately but I do about a 20% water change once every 2 weeks that should keep the potassium replenished. Plus there's a birdsnest in there that's fine. Thanks for the tip though, I'll definitely test it to be sure.

 

[Coronus]

I have had a poccilapora for 6 years grown from a small frag. It's was 12 inches across when I had to cut it out. The bottom of the colony is always white. Now I am not their to see it but unless it's peeling, it was probably normal.
Due to no light. Bleaching occurs due to too much light usually.

 

[Donovan Joannes]

Not lately but I do about a 20% water change once every 2 weeks that should keep the potassium replenished. Plus there's a birdsnest in there that's fine. Thanks for the tip though, I'll definitely test it to be sure.

They usually look fine but out of sudden they start peeling off from the bottom up. I brought back my potassium level before one of them is completely gone and this is what was left. I have two poci and they are fine.