Thin branched bottlebrush coral problem

[chromiumlux]

I have a blue tip thin branch bottlebrush acro that has showed initial signs of bleaching. I have had this coral high up in the tank for about 6 months. High light, high flow. Grown from a 1' frag the colony is now 3+ inches and multiple branched and encrusting onto rock. Coral has started to lose its color and I am wondering if anyone here has any experience with this type of coral. I am beginning to suspect that I have it too high and too much flow. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[marinelife]

How old are your bulbs?
What type of light is it?
How close to the bulb is it?
Are you running a skimmer?
How often are you doing water changes?
What is your water temp?

Sorry for all the questions but an acro losing color can be caused by many issues.

Also on last question. Have your checked for red bug on the coral?

[chromiumlux]

Bulbs recently replaced about 1 month old
Running 150w 20k xm and 2x 460nm actinics
coral is approx 8-10" under light
skimming with a Tunze 9002. working well.
Water changes once a week about 20%
Water temp is currently 79.1 degrees--flux is between 78-80
No red bugs detected at this time--all other corals healthy and thriving.

I have considered removing the coral and treating, fear is I will kill it completely in the process.

[marinelife]

When you changed your bulbs did you change the schedule they are on, usually it is best to not have them on as long to allow the corals to adjust to a brighter bulb. This could be the cause of your issue.

Do you run carbon? are you using the sale salt for your water changes?

[chromiumlux]

Hey, I didn't think about filtering the new lights or cutting back exposure schedule. Kind of late now though, you think?
I run carbon and phos on a continuous schedule
What sale salt are you referring to? I am using kent.

[marinelife]

HAHA I meant same salt not sale hehe

Sometimes if you change salts the coral will fade in color.

The color will come back if that was the issue and it may have been, I would just watch the coral closely to make sure no bugs show and to make sure if does not start to die off, if it does let us know and we can see what else could be the issue.

[chromiumlux]

Thanks Eric. I'll keep an eye on it. By the way, and this sorta off topic, What is the best way to load photos on this site? I'm not a whiz.

[marinelife]

You can attach them or use the image tag if you have them hosted some place.
See the little box above where you type with what looks like a mountain and sun that is your image link option if you host the image somewhere. Otherwise under additional options you will see manage attachments, click on that to just attach an image to the post.

[chromiumlux]

Thanks. I'll give it a try a little later. I dont have a great camera, but would like to get some pix on here.

[marinelife]

ok cool.

[marinelife]

I thought of something else, have you checked your phosphate levels?

[chromiumlux]

I have a salifert kit and by what this kit can detect i have 0 readable phos. I am beginning to suspect this coral to be a deep water acro.

[satch12]

Can you post a pic of it?

[chromiumlux]

I am in the process of trying to get my camera set correctly then i will post some pics of my tanks and corals. I did a little research and it seems that I read somewhere that thin branching acros are found deeper than thicker branched species. I could be wrong and probably am, but I'm trying to find that article.

[marinelife]

It could be a deepwater coral, what color is it?

[TechGuy40]

I am in the process of trying to get my camera set correctly then i will post some pics of my tanks and corals. I did a little research and it seems that I read somewhere that thin branching acros are found deeper than thicker branched species. I could be wrong and probably am, but I'm trying to find that article.

Alot of the thin Acros are. Some can be aclimated though. I have awesome bright, almost metalic green deep water 6" from a 250w halide.

Put in the sand bed for a few days, see what it does.

[chromiumlux]

Well, I lost the Bottlebrush. Not sure what happened. I beleive it was due to lighting shock.

[TechGuy40]

Well, I lost the Bottlebrush. Not sure what happened. I beleive it was due to lighting shock.

Did you cut a frag or two off and try a new tank, or lighting? Next time you start to lose something, wait as long as you can, and spread around some frags. Save what you can atleast!

[chromiumlux]

Well Tech, I have left what encrusted the mount and it seems to be o.k. Strange, because the growth on the plug is just as blue as the day I got it. The main colony bleached and is dead. I cut the dead growth away from the plug and put what is left lower in the tank. No sign of parasites. Maybe I'll have another small colony soon, if it survives.

[TechGuy40]

Well Tech, I have left what encrusted the mount and it seems to be o.k. Strange, because the growth on the plug is just as blue as the day I got it. The main colony bleached and is dead. I cut the dead growth away from the plug and put what is left lower in the tank. No sign of parasites. Maybe I'll have another small colony soon, if it survives.

It will grow back from just the base. But it takes forever! I had a colony start to RTN in June. I got 6 small pieces from it. Two died in a few days. The other four grew like crazy, colored right back up, and looking great. The base has just now grown all together and covered the dead. Its finally starting to grow upwards.

[chromiumlux]

I'll remember this the next time to frag off what's not affected. Thanks

[chromiumlux]

Well, after inspecting this coral this morning it appears to be on the rebound. Color is returning to the 1/2" and 1/4" growth still on the growth encrusted plug. I moved this down about 3/4 in the tank and it seems happier in lower light and flow. I'll update more as coral reacclimates.

[marinelife]

Good to hear, hopefully it will recover completely!!

[TechGuy40]

Awesome! Should have seen the mean green cronic when I got it! Snow white, just a few polyps. But it slowly came back. I should post a picture.

[chromiumlux]

Mean Green Chronic ? Please expand your description of this coral. I am curious.

[TechGuy40]

Mean Green Chronic ? Please expand your description of this coral. I am curious.

LOL. Justin gave it that new "Trade Name". Fast grower, and hardy. I have a few frags of it.

Before: http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/61/img6688.jpg



After: http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/2640/img7060d.jpg

[marinelife]

That is a huge change!!

[TechGuy40]

I know its crazy. Its hard to tell its the same piece even. Its just proof of how hardy most of these SPS corals can be. I have a Sour Apple Birds nest I got from Justin. I knocked it off the rock it was mounted on, leaving 10 or so polyps. Its grown into a large colony now.

[chromiumlux]

Nice!!!!!!!!