Pocillopora bleaching from base

[Saltgator]

My pocillopora frag seems to be bleaching from the base up. The remainder of the frag seems real happy and every polyp is out with the exception of the base. Any thoughts why this would happen after 2 months? Just fyi, this frag was fully encrusted on the frag when purchased at the lfs, all parameters are within range, frag sits halfway down under a 250 mh (DT has 3 x 250), nothing appears to be picking at it, no aefw or others seen. Any thoughts? Also, while trying to get into sps, I decided to try this coral. Is this really a easy one or should I have choosen another type?

 

[mnat]

I usually lose tissue at the base of my SPS if I get an alk swing or if my alk is too high. There is another option though and you are not going to like to hear it, STN.

STN (Slow tissue necrosis), not too many options at this point. You can try to frag what is left way above where the white is. Another option that some have had luck with is putting IC gel (or another underwater glue) on the skeleton and above onto the flesh, this has helped some.

 

[Alkamist]

could be STN if its starting at the base frag some healthy skeleton and hopefully you wont lose all of it

but i could also be shaded?

 

[Saltgator]

I have dealt with RTN in the past with LPS. I am dosing 2 part and checking each week. My Alk doestn't seem high (usually 7 ish). Might have to give the SPS a win and me a loss and just stay with LPS, nems, and clams.

 

[Saltgator]

I didn"t want to, but changed the postion to allow light to the other areas. No other corals or inverts within 8 inches.

 

[PR_Reefers]

Hey.. when starting sps you will most likely loose some and win some that's just part of it. However I would suggest like mentioned above to frag a healthy piece maybe dip the rest and see if you can save it or at least attempt to :)

 

[Saltgator]

Thanks. May have to try that.

 

[PR_Reefers]

btw... of sps monti's have to be the easiest!! acropora valida's(tricolor) are usually hardy acros and grow quickly in my experience you can try one of those also to see how it does, howeveri'm not familiar with poci's since I haven't kept any.

 

[Saltgator]

A few local reefing buddies of mine said that paci's are harder to keep but can be done. I always wanted to have acro's but thought I should start easier and acro's would be mid to hard to keep range. I will look into them.

 

[AJ92124]

could just be that no light gets down there to the base?

 

[dakotasreef]

I would think it could be flow also. I have seen the green ora birdsnest and other sps stn from the base with out adequate flow.

 

[justreefin]

could just be that no light gets down there to the base?

+1^^^
I have a pink poci that's the size of a softball and the base and center area is bleached white cause it doesnt get enough light. As long as it just bleached and not really STNing than you should be fine. Mine is quite hardy too. Been with me for 2yrs, 4 tank move and been in 3 different tank.

 

[Saltgator]

+1^^^
I have a pink poci that's the size of a softball and the base and center area is bleached white cause it doesnt get enough light. As long as it just bleached and not really STNing than you should be fine. Mine is quite hardy too. Been with me for 2yrs, 4 tank move and been in 3 different tank.

Hopefully the light issue is the oonly problem . Im really wanting sps.

 

[Saltgator]

Update: Poci still showing bleaching signs now in 3.5 months. Moved twice in the last 2 months to see if lighting was an issue. If it's stn, what am I looking for? FYI, I added 3 more sps (red/purple monti cap, unknown green acro, unknown blue/green acro). The poci still has the top half showing good, but base and surrounding branches are white/brown. The other 3 corals were added late last month and seem to be doing ok. Dosing C balance 1 and 2 each day, mag once a week, all par are stable, lighting schedule vho 7.5 hours, 250 x 3 mh 5 hours and 12 inches above tank. All corals are mid to upper level (around 10 inches from water surface). Coraline exploding throughout entire tank. Is this just the poci, or should I just throw out the idea of sps?