SPS Coloration questions

[kribbz]

Looking for some help on some of my sps. Tank parameters are below:


75 gallon reef running 2 gyres (maxspect 280 and icecap 400) on a hydros controller
lighting is 2 xr30's on 60% with 4 four foot T5's. I run my radions for 10 hours and my t5's for 5 hours mid day.
Salinity 36.4 (runs 36.4-37)
Ph 8.09 (Runs 8.00 - 8.3 depending on if my kids are with me or not)
Alk 8.4 (Runs 8-9)
Calc 470 (Runs 440-475)
MG 1402 (pretty much stays there)
NO3 3 ppm
Phos .015
Temp 80.7

I feed mostly PE mysis and PE calanus from a squirt bottle 2 times a day.
I also feed about 10 mils of acro power per week
Skimmer runs full day
I also run calerpa in the sump on a reverse lighting schedule to keep PH up.

90% of my SPS look great. However, I have a few that have lost color and I can't figure out why. Specifically my fox flame, pink duster and walt disney. My grafted monti has lost almost all of its green but the red is still bright as ever. I don't get it? My tank looks a little bit messy at the moment as I've been slowly transitioning to bare bottom from sand. I've been taking sand out once a month a little at a time as to not affect parameters in any big way.

Any suggestions?

 

[Jcbueno]

look for bugs , i would start there.

 

[TX_Punisher]

Perform and Icp test preferably from ATI. i would also take a look at the free handbook from reefers moonshiners to examine Andre’s thoughts on the importance of a number of trace elements our corals need to thrive.

If no pests are found, look at salt and water change frequency or daily element additions (I’m adding 9 per day) to aid in growth and color. I’ve found my fox flame wanted a bit less light than I was originally providing.

good luck

 

[ScottB]

If the color changes seem to coincide with the biome disruption of the sand removal you might have an answer. Aside from lowish level of phosphate parameters otherwise look fine.