Acro losing color

[Zuluuz]

Anybody know why an acro would be losing color/paling out at the center but continue to grow? The branches are very colorful and growing and it continues to base out but the center is pale.

 

[Reef_Aquatics]

Is it a new coral

 

[Zuluuz]

Is it a new coral

No I’ve had it since Januaryish

 

[Zuluuz]

Is it a new coral

 

[Mark82]

How your phosphates?

 

[vandy]

Not enough light

 

[Dburr1014]

Anybody know why an acro would be losing color/paling out at the center but continue to grow? The branches are very colorful and growing and it continues to base out but the center is pale.

Nutrients and/or fluctuations, lighting, flow, pests, fish bothering it, ect. I'm sure there is more

 

[SeaDweller]

Is the second pic the most recent? The first looks healthy, second one looks starved.

 

[Zuluuz]

Is the second pic the most recent? The first looks healthy, second one looks starved.

One pic at full spectrum one with just whites. P04: .3
n03: 20
Par: 400
Flow around 80-100x

 

[SeaDweller]

One pic at full spectrum one with just whites. P04: .3
n03: 20
Par: 400
Flow around 80-100x

I’d just leave it alone. Don’t change anything. The first pic looks good. Maybe that’s how this species has adapted and colored to your tank/conditions. If it’s not entirely paled out, I wouldn’t worry.

 

[Zuluuz]

I’d just leave it alone. Don’t change anything. The first pic looks good. Maybe that’s how this species has adapted and colored to your tank/conditions. If it’s not entirely paled out, I wouldn’t worry.

Yeah probably right. It’s been going through a growth spurt recently like it’s noticeably bigger each week but it’s losing color toward base of the branches

 

[Science/G]

Low Potassium? Are you sure you're .3 P04 and 20 N03 after that algae outbreak?

 

[Zuluuz]

Update: colors still terrible but growing fast

 

[Dburr1014]

Update: colors still terrible but growing fast

You have a LOT of tube worms all around your rock. This can/could be the issue.
Get some bumblebee snails and dose some coral snow once a week. You can make that DIY on the cheap.

 

[Zuluuz]

Low Potassium? Are you sure you're .3 P04 and 20 N03 after that algae outbreak?

Yes you were correct potassium was around 370-380 raised to 410ish and colors coming back. Also adding more flow to the tank has helped all acros in my tank color up more.

 

[Science/G]

Yes you were correct potassium was around 370-380 raised to 410ish and colors coming back. Also adding more flow to the tank has helped all acros in my tank color up more.

Yay I'm happy for you. Yeah I really do believe that potassium is something that we ignore in the hobby, kind of take for granted.