Getting mixed responses from my SPS

[DracoKat]

Hey all,

I am still somewhat a newbie when it comes to SPS- mainly acros.

I have a few acro frags that are fluffy with polyps and encrusting nicely.

2 don't have much of polyp extension- one of the two barely show polyps (I am thinking it's dead)

1 is turning blue-ish white at the top. It's not bleaching as it's been like that for weeks, but it is slowly, ever so slowly, traveling down- polyps are extended nicely. Does not look like it's burned.. none of my other acro frags look like this (just typical white tips of growth)

I am keeping up with BRS 2 part- Calcium is at 450, Alk is at 70 dkp.. and I don't remember mag on top of my head.

Is this a case of some being pickier than others? an it is what it is thing?

 

[djd3mon]

I'm still a noob with sticks myself but this is what I have learned so far. Please take my opinion with a grain of salt. I'm still learning a lot about keeping acros. This is just what I have seen in my tanks

If they are white tips and the rest of the acro is colored up and polyps extending, then it is doing well and they are growing.

I have multiple pieces of Acros and when the blue lights are on you will be able to see color a little easier (unless they are browned out). If they are bright white on the entire piece with no polyps and you cannot see any tissue on them, they are most likely dead. If algae is growing on them they are dead. The ones that are dead i wait to see if algae grows on them before pulling them out. I have heard too many stories where they have came back.

If you still cant tell look really close with a macro camera/lens or even a magnifying glass and you can see their skin.

Some of my sps polyps don't seem to extend while others always seem to be out all the time.

some sps polyps extend further than others

You can see the skin/flesh in this photo.

 

[DracoKat]

awesome!

The one I think is dead is brown/tan. I may take it out to give it the sniff test.

 

[djd3mon]

Brown does not necessarily mean they are dead. It could be many reasons including excessive nutrients, low flow, still not acclimated to the tank, not enough light...just a few things i remember about brown acros

 

[DracoKat]

you can see this focused acro has growth.

the one next to it has little to no growth, but it appears to be green where the polyps should be. I guess it's still alive?

 

[djd3mon]

you can see this focused acro has growth.

the one next to it has little to no growth, but it appears to be green where the polyps should be. I guess it's still alive?

Looks to be still alive to me. another thing I look for in a dead acro is if the polyps "holes" arevrep hollow. if there's nothing in them, they are dead.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

you can see this focused acro has growth.

the one next to it has little to no growth, but it appears to be green where the polyps should be. I guess it's still alive?

whew. Picture at last.:D
Might need a bit more light.

@Diesel @Sabellafella

 

[Sabellafella]

Hey all,

I am still somewhat a newbie when it comes to SPS- mainly acros.

I have a few acro frags that are fluffy with polyps and encrusting nicely.

2 don't have much of polyp extension- one of the two barely show polyps (I am thinking it's dead)

1 is turning blue-ish white at the top. It's not bleaching as it's been like that for weeks, but it is slowly, ever so slowly, traveling down- polyps are extended nicely. Does not look like it's burned.. none of my other acro frags look like this (just typical white tips of growth)

I am keeping up with BRS 2 part- Calcium is at 450, Alk is at 70 dkp.. and I don't remember mag on top of my head.

Is this a case of some being pickier than others? an it is what it is thing?

Edit give me a sec lol

 

[Sabellafella]

Could you get a top down photo =)

 

[Sabellafella]

you can see this focused acro has growth.

the one next to it has little to no growth, but it appears to be green where the polyps should be. I guess it's still alive?

The vermetid snail to the right of it can be irritating it causing the polyps to retract, take a look after lights out to see if there out. Also, i dont see anything wrong. Everything looks extremely healthy in this photo except for the white on the milli, but thats just light glare correct? It certainly can be the case of different coral, different outcome. But imo i dont think you should be worryd

 

[DracoKat]

I can't get a good top down photo. I can try again when the lights come back on

Thanks all :)

And wow I don't even see the snail lol.

 

[JasReef]

You also have to realize they are different kinds of acropora. The one in focus looks like a millipora and they will extend more than others, even when they are not as happy in my experience. I may be totally off on the ID but I think you get the idea.

Have you checked them at night? Some just don't want to extend during the light hours.

 

[Diesel]

Still driving but will fill in the missing factors when I get home.

 

[DracoKat]

I totally forgot about my waterproof camera. here's more photos of my acros

this is the one whiting out.. not sure whats going on here. it's been slow growing over period of weeks

very puffy acro

tiny polyps of the questioned one previously- the way it is?

Top down shot as requested

This one seems happy

I believe this is dead.. i see algae?

 

[Diesel]

None are even close to dead :), only the last one :(
I want you to do a second ALK test.
Also I like to know where your No3 sits at?
What light do you use and flow?
Livestock...........???

 

[Sabellafella]

I think everything looks great, and yea that last acro is completely dead, unless u see polyps keep it

 

[mcarroll]

You're also about 1 month in to your lighting upgrade.....can you remind us what you did to allow for the new lights? (i.e. compare with a light meter, run an acclimation procedure, etc)

If lighting is likely to have increased with the switch to the new lights then more flow and/or more nutrients might be required.

 

[DracoKat]

Just tested my alk- it is low tonight at 6.4 dkh. I will up it a bit tonight

4 bulb T5 (Coral+ 2 blue+, purple+) and SBreeflight Sbar actinics (installed a few weeks ago)
Maxspect Gyre on alternating

exquisite wrasse
yellow coris wrasse
red head solon wrasse
carpenters wrasse
Leopard wrasse
(3) zebra barred gobies
2 clowns
flame hawkfish
square tail bristletooth tang

Will get back to you on No3

 

[DracoKat]

I have a light meter. I'd need help measuring accurately - so I can't quite provide that at the moment

 

[mcarroll]

If you added the LED's onto the old lights without the help of the meter, then you've probably given your corals a bit of light shock.

Get the levels measured asap so you can find out where you stand.

Measure just the T5 system as well as just the LED system.....then measure both. Try to find the absolute peak reading you can get at the water level.