Is this tip burn?

[SamMule]

This is my first acro, and don't know how to tell the difference between tip burn and new growth. Polyp extension seems consistent. As you can see, there is one extending out of the tip. Can someone clue me in as to what I am looking for?

Same coral. Different lighting.
Sg. 1.026
Alk 9.3
Calc 440-460
Mag 1350
Nitrates 2 ppm
Phosphates .02

 

[X-37B]

Looks like new growth to me. How long has it been in your tank?
Here is what some new growth on a stag in my tank looks like.

 

[Reeffraff]

'Burn tips' on acros generally involves tissue loss from the tips of the coral. You clearly have tissue at the very tip so I would agree and say it's new growth.

 

[SamMule]

Ok. That's great to know. Only been in there a few weeks, so I have no idea what to look for. Thank you for the tips

 

[Reeffraff]

One suggestion I have, based on the water parameters you listed, would be to let your alk fall naturally to somewhere between 7 and 8 and then dose accordingly to maintain at those levels. IME with low nutrients (especially your PO4), some acros can respond negatively to high alk.

 

[SamMule]

That's what i've been reading. Hence, the concern about tip burn.
I'm planning to drop my alk to around 8.5. That's what my LFS runs at.

 

[X-37B]

One suggestion I have, based on the water parameters you listed, would be to let your alk fall naturally to somewhere between 7 and 8 and then dose accordingly to maintain at those levels. IME with low nutrients (especially your PO4), some acros can respond negatively to high alk.

Agree! I run my alk at 7 with low nutrients.