SPS Losing Color

[fishyman19]

So this is a question that appears a lot on here, but mine might be a bit different.

I've got a red diablo frag in my SPS dominate tank at work. Over the last several weeks it's been losing color to the point where it's almost all white. Not bleached out white I still see tissue and it has amazing polyp extension still. I'd say probably 50% of the base still has its red color and the frag is still plating out with new growth almost daily now. The polyps have that rich red color as well and are out and flowing in the wind. But the stick portion is almost white, with red polyps now. I checked my parameters yesterday, well the mains ones at least CAL, MAG and ALK and Mag was a little low so I buffed it up but the others were at 450, and 8.3. So anyone have any idea what might be going on? I'm getting some coral food from red sea coming in soon so that may help, but all the SPS corals in the tank are doing really well. There is some color loss on some and I'm doing my best to keep it going. Was just curious why this one is just white but happy as can be it seems.

Thanks.

 

[Scorpius]

What are your phosphate and nitrate levels? Sounds like your coral is starving for nutrients.

 

[fishyman19]

I was actually wondering the same thing last night, so I just tested, Nitrates are at 5-10 and Phosphate is at maybe 0.03. Which I'm guessing is pretty low for sps tanks. What should they be at? I feed 3 times a week, Monday, Wed, and Friday. But that's it. Also do Acropower and just got in the Trace Colors program. Would a good coral food like oyster feast or something be smart?

 

[jda]

Those are fine. You need some building blocks, but not too many. 5-10n and .3p is more than enough.

I would look to overall stability, pests and lighting.