Browned out SPS

Scouter Steve · 11-27-2007, 01:39 PM

Just picked up 6 different SPS corals for cheap from a closing LFS because they are "browned out". I am new to SPS with success with Monti Caps and one small acro.
My water is stable, 420 CA, 9.6 alk Ph 8.0 SG 1.026 temp 79-80, 0 trates, 0 phosphates, 2x250 14k MH, 2x65 watt pc actinic.
My question here is what do I do to get these corals to color up the way they should be. Most are showing some polyp extension but a couple do have some white patches.
Any help is appreciated.

Frankie · 11-27-2007, 01:58 PM

I don't know what kind of lighting they were under before but i would take some pictures now. The lighting you have will changes them and it will be cool to see what they morph to. Just keep your water prams good and they will change. Post the pictures now so you have thread on them.
14k is going to slow the growth down. If you want to you could step down to 10k 0r what i have, 12k. You will see faster growth then.

mps9506 · 11-27-2007, 02:03 PM

I would start the corals off lower in your tank and move them up. Don't place them directly under your halides, it's possible they aren't sued to intense light and to much light will cause them to bleach.
You will want to gradually acclimate them to new tank conditions. It's even possible if your tank is cleaner than what the LFS water conditions were that they will get pissed off for a while. Just take things slow

Scouter Steve · 11-27-2007, 02:26 PM

Right now my bulbs are 7 inch above the water. Tops of the corals are 6-9 inches from water surface. Still think I should drop them down? They have been here for 3 days now.

cheeks69 · 11-27-2007, 02:53 PM

Excessive dissolved nutrients can cause the browning of corals. Also a change in lighting can cause the corals to become brown especially if they're used to more intense light. If you maintain proper water chemistry and when they become adjusted to your lighting they'll color up just give them some time.

PS Keep in mind that most corals are brown in nature and change color under unnatural lighting so browning isn't necessarilly a bad thing although not appealing to the eye...lol

11-27-2007, 01:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
Scouter Steve Neon dottyback Join Date: May 2006 Location: Somers Wisconsin (Kenosha County) Posts: 683 View Gallery Karma Komment	Browned out SPS Just picked up 6 different SPS corals for cheap from a closing LFS because they are "browned out". I am new to SPS with success with Monti Caps and one small acro. My water is stable, 420 CA, 9.6 alk Ph 8.0 SG 1.026 temp 79-80, 0 trates, 0 phosphates, 2x250 14k MH, 2x65 watt pc actinic. My question here is what do I do to get these corals to color up the way they should be. Most are showing some polyp extension but a couple do have some white patches. Any help is appreciated.

11-27-2007, 02:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
mps9506 Totally stoked dude Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 7,518 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Browned out SPS I would start the corals off lower in your tank and move them up. Don't place them directly under your halides, it's possible they aren't sued to intense light and to much light will cause them to bleach. You will want to gradually acclimate them to new tank conditions. It's even possible if your tank is cleaner than what the LFS water conditions were that they will get pissed off for a while. Just take things slow __________________ Mike "The Bandwith Bandit" Help Build Reefpedia Premium Membership Available! Support Reef Sanctuary Sponsors

11-27-2007, 02:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
Scouter Steve Neon dottyback Join Date: May 2006 Location: Somers Wisconsin (Kenosha County) Posts: 683 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Browned out SPS Right now my bulbs are 7 inch above the water. Tops of the corals are 6-9 inches from water surface. Still think I should drop them down? They have been here for 3 days now.

11-27-2007, 02:53 PM	#5 (permalink)
cheeks69 Wannabe Guru Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northeast Posts: 7,032 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Browned out SPS Excessive dissolved nutrients can cause the browning of corals. Also a change in lighting can cause the corals to become brown especially if they're used to more intense light. If you maintain proper water chemistry and when they become adjusted to your lighting they'll color up just give them some time. PS Keep in mind that most corals are brown in nature and change color under unnatural lighting so browning isn't necessarilly a bad thing although not appealing to the eye...lol __________________ Robert My Cube “A spirit is manifest in the laws of the Universe—a spirit vastly superior to that of man, and one in the face of which we with our modest powers must feel humble.” Albert Einstein

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