worried about my bansai

I've had this bansai acro for a little over a year now and it's not dieing but it has grown really weird. Up until recently it looked amazing, now it's got a puffy look to it and it has since turned green? Here's a before pic and a pic from tonight. The only difference in the tank has been lighting. I switched from my 20k radiums to Phoenix 14k. All params have been perfectly stable.

 

In my experience, green coming out in purple or blue acros is a sign of not enough light.

Also I do not consider that weird growth for a bonsai (A. secale)

 

Wow, the first picture looks very nice. With the second pic, I was like what bonsai until I re-read your message. How long does it take to change the shape from pic 1 to pic 2? They have hard skeletons so it can't change like this in a short period of time......

 

I have to call in to question the health of the surrounding corals now, that birdsnest looks like part of it has receded recently.

The polyps are out and there doesn't appear to be any recession on it, it doesn't look unhealthy, but it does look "uncharacteristic" for A. secale. However I've seen some very interesting growth from this species. I'd try giving it more light and flow. Curious as to why you
Switched?

Skeleton can't change on its own, that's just growth. Think of it as "bulking up" Vu.

 

All corals are fine and there's nothing wrong with params va. I just adjusted my powerhead. If you saw that birds nest 3 months ago you wouldn't say it receeded. As far as light goes are you saying that twin 150 watt halide with 4-54watt T5 with all ATI bulbs not enough light? Anyone else? I'm sorry but I'm not considering that the corals around it are "unhealthy" and there's not enough light. I've never seen a bansai go from perfect to puffy so I'm hoping to find a solution. I've changed flow to see if it helps but I'm definitely going back to radium bulbs, other colors in the tank have changed as well. I'm extremely meticulous at keeping levels the same. What about potassium dosing? That's the only thing I haven't dosed in about 2 months. Any other opinions?

 

VA, I switched lights because no one had radiums in stock and there was a 2 month waiting period to get them. The more I look back at pics I can say there is alot of color difference. Crazy. Hoping going back to radium will help. I prefer the look of the first pic of the bansai but if it's not abnormal I'll ride it out. Thanks

 

I don't mean to say you need to upgrade lights, just possibly move the bonsai up more. The only reason I say this is because I had two different Oregon tort frags that I kept towards the bottom of the tank and they started to develop green, after eliminating most other possibilities, I moved both up higher and the green went away and they're now back to solid blue.

I know your tank and your other corals are amazing so that's why I was a bit shocked seeing the birdsnest, I didn't mean to criticize or offend you, I definitely admire your SPS collection.

I don't think a lack of potassium dosing would do that, especially if you do normal water changes. A. secale is such a weird acro, I've seen people keep it right at the waters surface under two 400W halides, and I've seen people keep it almost on the sandbed under lesser lights, both had the characteristic color, but the growth patterns were completely different. Flattening out like that would lead me to believe it could do with less flow. However I'm curious to see what others have to say.

 

It's got me puzzled for sure. I was so happy at how it was growing, I want it back the way it was. I just added more flow so maybe I'll tone it down. It's killing me though. Hoping going back to radium bulbs help too. If I get it back to purple I'll be happy

 

For science's sake, buy another bonsai frag and put it close to it and see what happens

 

I like the way you think!