Browning Montipora

[Xler8n]

I got a small frag of "superman montipora" a couple weeks ago and put it low in the tank. The tanks at the store were shallow tubs with about 12" of depth in them. They are all blasted with 20K lights im not sure if they are 250W or 400W but it started to brown in my tank. Does this mean its getting too much light or not enough??

[HTFoods2]

I'm pretty sure it means not enough light because the browner it gets the more zooxanthellae are in it as far as I understand.

[HTFoods2]

Wait! Don't listen to me I'm not sure if this coral has zooxanthellae the more I think about it!

[Dagrape]

Originally Posted by HTFoods2

Wait! Don't listen to me I'm not sure if this coral has zooxanthellae the more I think about it!

Don't second guess yourself.

Typically SPS corals will turn brown when they are not getting enough light and they are in a nutrient rich environment.

[Dagrape]

There have been a ton of really good posts on this topic (as well as SPS Bleaching) do a search on SPS bleaching browning and you will get more info than you wished for.

[ckusnierek]

I thought you got them from Ebay?
Either way Brown SPS = Low light or high nutrients

[Xler8n]

I did get them on ebay but a couple weeks ago I also got a smaller frag of suprman from the same colony. Its about an inch. Im picking up the larger one that i posted today

[Loverotties]

I agree with the low or old lights and high in nutrients.

[cronamator]

now many supermans out there, montipora tuberculosa will brown out no matter what you do. check nutrient levels first and light reflectors second.

[ChilisREasy]

3 things cause that...blue light tends to make corals grow more neon pigments. 10k will cause it to change color over a period of 2 weeks..also high phosphates will do that & too low of light..if they had 20k i bet its 400w,

my bet is phosphates as i have some encrusting monti's under 200w PC lights & they actually got more neon colors

[Xler8n]

But my other montis are doing fine. That "reverse sunset" that i have completely browned out but now its back to its original color.

[ChilisREasy]

phosphate spike ? i got nothing else, hopefully your new ones dont turn brown

[Fat Tony]

Lighting is my bet. Move them up very slowly and see if they start to color up for you. Also, corals do tend to brown a bit when they are first moved from one tank to another. They just need time to acclimate to your system.

[FutureDoc]

if you bulbs are older or "cheaper" they will change and emit a different spectrum. Low light can be a cause, but normally that means really low light. I have had browning under 400w of light with older bulbs and an "old tank". On the other hand, nutrients (even if they don't show up in tests) could also be causing a problem. If your sandbed is deep(er) and "very mature" it can do a good job storing/releasing NO3 and PO4. Even with a fuge it can cause minor problems such as color loss

[Xler8n]

So does that man if ive had my gravel for a while i should change it?? I had my crushed coral for about 3-4 years but its maybe about an inch deep...