Torch lost color

[1fastrock]

Hello everyone! So my torch has me a little concerned lately because it has seemed to have lost a lot of its color since getting it 4 weeks ago. It is in a newer (6 months) tank but all of my parameters seem to be in check. My lighting is a current USA ic which is seeming to keep my hammer, clam, and zoas happy. Is there something I’m doing wrong or any ideas of how to get it’s color back?

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Quite likely a bit too much Light.
You can try putting it down on the sand.

Hard part about new tanks , numbers maybread ok , but it’s nothig compared to the complex biological processes going on in there. Many many many folks including me have had coral perish when the tank is new and and months or a year later they will grow like a weed.
Very strange Esp with the hammer in there.

 

[1fastrock]

Thanks so much for the quick reply! I will move it to the sand and see if it gets some color back. How long would it take for something like this to rebound?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Could be weeks honestly.
Do try to spot feed it from time to time.

 

[Reefelite]

What temperature range do you have? My guess is your tank is running hot.

 

[1fastrock]

I've been keeping it consistent at about 78 degrees. Could that be to warm for corals? And I will try to do some spot feeding and move it to the sand bed for a few weeks!

 

[Reefelite]

That’s a perfect temp. Did the bleaching happen overnight?

 

[Reefelite]

Double post

 

[1fastrock]

No it seems to have just gotten progressively worse over the last few weeks.

 

[Reefelite]

Then it could be too much light. The amount of bleaching still has me leaning towards temp. I would try a new thermometer.

 

[1fastrock]

Sounds good I will check with a new thermometer also just to be sure! Thank you so much for the idea!

 

[Flippers4pups]

I'll pull the trigger, list your water pramameters, please!

 

[1fastrock]

Salt: 1.026
Ph: 7.8
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 10
Phosphate: .25
Calcium: 400
Alkalinity: 11
Magnesium: 1380

 

[Flippers4pups]

Salt: 1.026
Ph: 7.8
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 10
Phosphate: .25
Calcium: 400
Alkalinity: 11
Magnesium: 1380

Okay, fair enough. Not going to nitpick your numbers, they look good overall. Alkalinity is a tad high.

I would agree with @saltyfilmfolks, light intensity and or duration combined with high alkalinity, could easily strip zooxanthellae from it.

Do you dose anything?

 

[1fastrock]

I have just started to dose calcium in the last 2 weeks but that is all for now. Anything else I should think about?

 

[Flippers4pups]

I have just started to dose calcium in the last 2 weeks but that is all for now. Anything else I should think about?

What kind of "calcium" are you dosing?

I'm trying to find out why your DKH is so high.

 

[1fastrock]

My apologies I meant magnesium dosing. and I am using Kent Marine products
Any suggestions to lower the alkalinity?

 

[Flippers4pups]

My apologies I meant magnesium dosing. and I am using Kent Marine products
Any suggestions to lower the alkalinity?

Okay, two more. What salt are you using and what Alkalinity test kit do you use?

 

[Flippers4pups]

Knowing what your freshly made saltwater's DKH is helpful. Lower dkh water change water will lower the DT's alkalinity.

I would do a series of larger water changes to bring the dkh down. 8-9dkh is desirable from there forward.

I would lower the torch to the sand bed, reduce your light intensity a tad and get your dkh down. From there, it will take time to get the color back. As stated, weeks possibly.

 

[1fastrock]

Awesome I will work on all that!! I really appreciate all the help!!