Recovering from a bleaching

Ephraim · #1 10-06-2009, 11:53 PM

So for some unknown reason i thought i would be a good idea last week to do a water change, put in some fresh carbon AND change a bank of t5s. Now i have bleached out most of my monties and pavonas. The acros are happy as clams though.

The questions is, how do i help these poor light stressed corals out? They are all pastel but other wise look healthy. i have moved the lights up so much less light is hitting the tank. Also started dosing reef roids nightly. Any other tips to get colors back asap?

Myka · #2 10-07-2009, 12:27 AM

Personally I wouldn't dose Reef Roids. I'm not a fan of foods that dose the water column like Reef Roids, Coral Frenzy, etc since the corals get so little of it, and the rest settles on the sandbed. That's asking for nutrient issues (like algae).

Anyway, my best recommendation would be to feed the corals that will eat Mysis (most LPS will). Feed them a couple times a week each, and not all on the same day (pollution). You can also break up the daylight photoperiod (actinics or blues are ok to leave on) by putting a 2 hour dark period in the middle. Like if your daylights are normally on for 6 hours, do 3 on, 2 off, 3 on.

Atomikk · #3 10-07-2009, 12:48 AM

Whenever you change to a new batch of carbon, your water will be polished at a fast rate. Meaning, it will be crystal clear. Add new lights to the mix, and you have yourself a recipe for coral bleaching. Now, what you have to do is turn the valve on your carbon media reactor down to half, and set your T5 lights to 2/3 of your regular light schedule. Your corals will come back in a week or two.

fishytime · #4 10-07-2009, 03:03 PM

I know its a PITA to remember what is new and what is old, but I always only swap a couple bulbs out at a time to avoid sunburning my stuff....also easier to manage financially changing 4-6 bulbs rather than all 12

You could try window screen material or eggcrate over the tank to diffuse the light a bit.

Ephraim · #5 10-07-2009, 03:23 PM

Thanks for all the tips!! It's going to be a tough couple weeks looking at this tank while everything colors back up. It looks like i am running zeo, ick.

fishytime · #6 10-07-2009, 03:28 PM

I feel your pain mang.