Bleaching or True Color?

[Zenchi]

Last week I picked up a good sized elegance. While I know most put elegance on the sandbed, I opted to put mine a bit higher in the tank at moderate light and flow.

It is expanding fully and look great but I've noticed their overall color is lightening and I'm nervous of bleaching. Unfortunately I don't have a par meter though I'm considering renting one. I'm currently running a T5, 2 blue+ for 2 hours a day and 4 blue+, 1 purple+ and a reef+ for 8 hours a dday. Supplementing with reef roids which its happily eating.

Here is when the elegence was first put it and opened same day.

Here is 2 days after adding.

 

[Fishy212]

Corals need to be light acclimated correctly in order to ensure the long term health. I would recommend moving it to a lower flow / lower lighted area, or reducing your photo period as it looks like your tank is quite new.

Lowest flow / light areas first then observe. During this time you will be able to see how and what the coral responds to while being able to control the feedings. I usually wait anywhere from 2-3 weeks to move the coral to a more permanent location.

 

[ScottB]

It looks pretty happy to me. I find T5 light to be very forgiving -- much more so than LED.

 

[Idaho Lone Wolf]

Honestly, I agree with ScottB. Looks healthy and happy to me too. As long as it is extending its base and tentacles nicely, it is doing good. The color in the second photo looks more natural to me than in the first photo.