bleaching

[GR808]

Ok folks I need the skinny on bleaching. Is it not enough light or too much light that causes bleaching? I presume lack of coloration is also bleaching which is caused by lack of lighting?

 

[pumarjr]

Here are some of the reasons bleaching/loss of color occur.
Changes in phytoplankton and zooplankton populations, as well the amount of other nutrients present in the water.
Increase/decrease in water temperatures.
Increase/decrease in water salinity.
Increase/decrease in water temperatures.
Build up of carbon dioxide and methane gases.
Exposure to increased ultraviolet radiation.
Exposure to high light levels.
Increased or high water turbulence.
Decrease in light levels.
Sedimentation, which relates to a decrease in light levels, as well as suffocation of sessile

 

[CJO]

Bleaching occurs because the coral has expelled its zooxanthellae because of stress. Usually this is due to a large change in one of its paramters.

CJ

 

[Electrobes]

If you're talking about light bleaching, then that is the expulsion of zooanthellaxe from the coral, creating a whiteness color. When there is too little light, you typically get a browning or too much zoox. within the corals membranes.

 

[GR808]

Interesting. My chips is a light pink with lavender tips and I was wondering if that was it's natural color. I thought maybe a bleaching event was going on. Although it is showing good growth.

 

[Wy Renegade]

Some helpful info on bleaching

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/general-reef-discussions/57747-now-lets-talk-more-depth-about.html

 

[GR808]

Nice article there.. Lots of info.

 

[GR808]

this picture was taken from my phone so the hues are deeper but I was wondering if this was bleaching?

 

[GR808]

don't know if the picture went through.. trying again.

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee487/gr8081/aquarium stuff/2011-04-11174624.jpg

 

[Electrobes]

Hmm nope, have you tried using their image link so the picture just shows up on the post? Not sure why, but maybe the photo was moved after you uploaded it?

 

[knyreefguy]

i agree... bleaching can be caused by a few things... try to keep things as stable as possible.. also if chems are on , check lighting and flow.. sometimes just alittle replacement can do wonders....

 

[Tabasco1]

+1 to electrobes, my understanding was that too much light will bleach and not enough or the wrong spectrum will brown out. But also bleaching can be caused by other things as when a coral gets stressed.

 

[GR808]

Maybe my chips wasnt bleaching according to my picture.. There is some coloration but not profound and I know that area of lighting is not as strong as it should b for sps but it's not browning. Its growing with good polyp extentions but maybe it just needs to mature.

 

[GR808]

I don't know what happened to the link... here it is again.
http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee487/gr8081/aquarium stuff/2011-04-11174624.jpg

 

[greg0385]

sounds like to much light, has anything else been changed? are you running GFO, or anything else that you changed. once saw a high end coral start to bleach because the water was stripped of elements the coral needed. whats your light cycle and the location of the coral and what kind of light do you have. as been stated come corals have white tips from new growth that will color up as it grows. could it be a parasite. sorry for the bleaching hope you can figure it out.

 

[Captain Nemo]

link still does not work, but great info from everybody! nothing to add to all this, unless you are having coral warfare in your tank like I did....

 

[GR808]

sounds like to much light, has anything else been changed? are you running GFO, or anything else that you changed. once saw a high end coral start to bleach because the water was stripped of elements the coral needed. whats your light cycle and the location of the coral and what kind of light do you have. as been stated come corals have white tips from new growth that will color up as it grows. could it be a parasite. sorry for the bleaching hope you can figure it out.

No GFO and all my parameters are intact. I am probably mistaken with the bleaching. It's not white, it's just a light color. My chips is light tan with light colored lavender tips. Growth is really good though. I would show u all the pic I had but cant figure out why the link don't work. Can't figure out how to get a pic directly on this post as well. Sorry guys