What causes loss of color in SPS?

Discussion in 'Coral Health' started by Va Reef, Dec 17, 2011.

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  1. Va Reef

    Va Reef Giant Squid

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    Im having a problem with 2 small frags that i've had for a while, My miyagi tort, and cali tort. the myiagi has gone from neon green and purple to orange and purplish grey. the cali went from blue and green to brown and green. All other SPS and my clam are doing fine. Any ideas?
     
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  3. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    Check your nitrate and phosphate levels they may be too high.

    What type of lights do you have and how many watts? Also what color temperatures?
     
  4. Va Reef

    Va Reef Giant Squid

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    Tests said phosphate 0 and nitrate 0 when i checked this afternoon, but could it change later on in the day?

    Lighting is a Par38 LED 7 bulb fixture. Im not really sure about color temperature for LEDs. heres the link
    7 LED PAR38 Bulb
     
  5. m2434

    m2434 Giant Squid

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    what size tank?
     
  6. Va Reef

    Va Reef Giant Squid

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  7. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    How high above the water is the light?
     
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  9. Va Reef

    Va Reef Giant Squid

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  10. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    Torts like high light so maybe slowly lower the light.
     
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  11. m2434

    m2434 Giant Squid

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    17W isn't a ton of light. If your using the 80deg lens, your probably loosing a lot of light over the sides. If your using the 60, the height is probably right for coverage, but may just not be enough. I have 24W of CREE leds over my 6g and there is certainly nothing getting "too much" light. Even the mushroom corals on the bottom are expended fairly large.

    I think that 2in10 is right, if you can lower the light and still maintain decent coverage, that should help. Of course, nutrients, in a small tank, could be an issue regardless of test kit readings.
     
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  12. Va Reef

    Va Reef Giant Squid

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    Ok, definitely going to move the light down, and the tort up, gradually. I believe the test kit because i have no nusiance algae, my chaetomorpha algae hasnt grown at all for the past 5 months, and all the other corals and clam are happy.