White polyps turning brown in only three weeks

[slojmn]

I have been following the other thread on browning polyps and did not want to hijack the thread for my own purposes but I have more questions on the phenomina. With low PO4's, .04 as of yesterday, what else might contribute to white polyps and white flesh going light tan in just a few weeks? This piece in particular is aquacultured frag from a non zeo tank. I suspect lighting issues, 400w very high up in the tank to 250w and middle of tank now. No actinic supplemetation either. I feed fairly heavy everyday, Could food contents impact coloration of the polyps? I thought long and hard on mesocosm's list of all the things to consider in the other thread. I have been watching this frag especially close due to my love of the white polyps when I bought it, the other thread, and how I have watched the polyps changing color fairly quickly. I am dosing the basic 4 plus C-V, aminos, and 2 weeks of K-balance with PIF. I plan to move the frag way up high in the tank as soon as the tunze stream magnet comes and I re-arrange rock work and flow int he tank. This could be a few weeks. In the meantime I am a bit saddened by browning of the polyps of this gorgeous piece.

[nyfireman3097]

i have the same problem as you with some pieces i have .03 PO4 also have more then enough flow and have 400w MH's i use ever product zeo has I never can understand it at all

[slojmn]

Glad to know I am not alone on this one, frustrating isn't it? I guess there really is no definitive answer just speculation. So many factors seem to affect each individual coral on different levels, hard to know what is what sometimes. I am just striving for balance and then solid maintenance of that balance. So far the balance has eluded me a bit .

[nyfireman3097]

lmao I understand you completly

[Aged Salt]

Hi Alicia, I'd suggest Spur2 every 10-14 days as per the ZEOvit guidelines, using K-Z carbon only, lowering your lights a little[1/2-1"] & weekly Spur-ME. These will intensify coral color while diminishing the brown-yellow zooxanthellae. Bob

[slojmn]

Hi Bob,
Thanks for the suggestion. I have the Spur2, no ME but I can get it if need be. You had suggesteed to hold off on the Spur2 until things settled a bit with the STN of a few corals. I am still battling this a bit and don't feel that balance yet in the tank. I'll PM you this weekend with an update of stuff since our last PM and see what you think. I know as things are more balanced and I can run the whole zeo system color will continue to improve. I may try lowering the lights now though, good idea. I have a fairly shallow tank and run 250w DE 14k phoenix bulbs only so another 1/2 to 1 inch may be of help. I have to get through the carbon I have before I buy a different brand...it may take a while as I have a big tub of it, ESV granulated activated carbon. What might be the difference between the ESV Granulated Activated Carbon and the K-Z carbon?

[Aged Salt]

Hi Alicia, I look forward to your PM. I've never used the ESV carbon but try this--rinse it off thoroughly, then soak it overnight in RODI water. Do a Hanna measurement of the water the next day for P04's. Bob

[slojmn]

I definately rinse well before tossing in the sump but I have not soaked the carbon after rinsing and then tested for PO4's. Good idea. I will do this next time I am ready to swap out carbon. Could be an eye opener eh?