Purple Death color

[Reefwifey]

Hey all,

This is something I've been observing for a while now and find interesting. I thought I'd see if anyone of you have any thoughts about it.

Purple deaths in my tank turn dark reddish brown. Here is a picture of a frag in my tank:

Here is the same frag which I sent to Laurie, in her tank (picture taken by her), only 2 days after the first picture was taken.

Isn't that odd?

Lastly, here is another frag I have. Its a bit purpler looking, at the bottom of my tank. In the larger frag in the background (not the single polyp), notice how the baby in the middle of the frag. See how contrastingly purple it is? As it grows larger like the rest it will turn.

Do you think its my lights? They are on the sandbed of my 18 inch deep tank, with a 70w MH 14k about 6 inches above the tank. If I move the PDs up in my tank so they are getting more light they look happy, fully opened, grow well, but are so rusty red colored. Could it be something in my water params?

Kam

 

[Raptor]

They will dull up like that what the heck elevated nutrients i found. I am thinking they over produce zoax causeing the brown look.
I have seen them in all phases. When i switched tanks they did brown up because of the cycle, But are shiny now.

 

[Reefwifey]

So, this is going to sound dumb (im not great with the chemistry/plumbing aspects of things, thats hubby) but when you say organics are you talking about amonia, nitrites, nitrites stuff? Stuff that frequent water changes clear up? Or protein skimming?

 

[Azurel]

YEs he means both.....Skimming and water changes help in that measure.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

The stuff the Protein Skimmer takes out.

 

[Raptor]

The stuff the Protein Skimmer takes out.

Yes, Try putting a poly pad in the sump in a flow area, and run a little rowa or like pura phoslock, 1/8th the cost of rowaphos, and works just as good.
Should polish that water up in a jiffy.

 

[Reefwifey]

Great, will do! Thanks so much for the info. I guess that condition in the water probably affects the color of other corals? I have some pinkish/peachish palys that came to me very sparkly and much lighter than then appear to be turning in my tank.

 

[Raptor]

It could be, Let us know how things go, But thats where i would start.

 

[MarvinsReef]

great discussion.. it really makes me want to get a skimmer now.. LoLz..

when I come back, I'll be on the hunt for a skimmer....

awesome pics Kammy..

 

[da6d2003]

Check the color with the lights go off tonite using a flashlight. Let us know what color they are. I'd be willing to bet they are very purple.

 

[Who Dah?]

Reefwifey: May I post an interesting color morph some of my PD's have gone through - or would you prefer to keep this thread more on topic?

FWIW: in one of my tanks, my PD exhibit the same dull coloration. And it is consistent w/ Creetin's observations:

• 20K lit, poorly skimmed tank = dull and dark maroon, near brown. Probably would have left them at the fish store!
• 12K lit, well skimmed tank = gorgeous coloring w/ an interesting blue center developing (the color morph I spoke of above). Probably would have given the fish store my whole wallet for them. :lol:

-Who Dah?

 

[Reefwifey]

Oh please do add.....is it just me, or does it seem the PDs are more sensitive to color change due to water params? If all zoas are like that....then I don't know why we even bother naming 'unique' morphs....when between lighting, and water quality....they could look entirely different.

 

[Raptor]

All zoa's palys can look like crud, I have 3 blue morphs that look like poop. The 10k's really did a number on them.
Every zoa can look different in different conditions.
I dont buy into zoa's like dirty water mentality.

 

[Azurel]

I dont buy into zoa's like dirty water mentality.

I'm with you on that one brother.....

 

[da6d2003]

Check the color with the lights go off tonite using a flashlight. Let us know what color they are. I'd be willing to bet they are very purple.

I know you all think I'm nuts but try it.

The cool thing is I have no idea what it proves.:hammer:

 

[Azurel]

LOL....David you kill me.....

 

[jessiesgrrl]

I don't even really think they were brown when I got them, actually. They were immediately that color- no coloring up phase at all. Weird!

Laurie

 

[Reefwifey]

Well maybe my eyes are just broken. =P

I've been running the poly bag with some stuff the hubby put in over night. I don't have a sump, so he hooked up a little aquaclear filter with the bag in it. Lights were off this morning so I'll see how things are looking when I get off work.

Laurie, you know those pink sparklies I sent you? Can you get a good pic of them? They are turning quite dark in my tank and I'm interested to see if this water exercise turns them back to sparkly.

 

[Reefwifey]

Hey Whodah - Where the pic of that morph you wanted to show? As of last night they still looked brown to me, after almost 24 hours of running the poly. I do have a skimmer on the tank too, a remora. I'll take some pics tonight for comparison.

Hey Whodah.....I sent in my donation...when should my calendar ship?

 

[da6d2003]

Have you tried the flashlight idea?

My theory is that if they look purple with the flashlight that will mean that it's the display lighting in the tank.

Sorry if I sound like the crazy old man sitting in the back of the room that everyone just ignores and hopes he'll just shut up. :hammer: