Bleaching from LEDs?

[mdenesha]

Recently noticed my Birdsnest frag appears to look thinner, the tips are looking white, and I think the base is starting to bleach a bit.

I've recently purchased new LED's that are much stronger than the previous PC bulbs I was running.

Also, I had PC bulbs, then did a 3 day blackout to kill off some dino's... received my LED's during that period and so after the 3 day period I started running the LED's. The photo period is 4 hours of white lights and 6 hours of actinics.

I have the frag high up in my tank (approximately 12 inches from the lights)

I plan on moving it down in the tank or into shade, but just wanted some opinions on whether it looked like it was bleaching from the lights and not something more serious

 

[duke62]

You went from PC to LEDs? What percentage di you run the lights at? If 100% you are going to bleach every coral in your tank. You need to acclimate your corals slowly to the new light

 

[mdenesha]

Unfortunately, the fixture I purchased does not dim. I cut the photo period from 10 hours on the PC's to 4 on the LEDs... What do you think I should change it to?

My other corals all seem to be fine

 

[Rob&Gab]

put the frag near the sand bed and move it up as needed.

 

[duke62]

Raise the light fixture up as high as the depth of your tank. So if your tank is 25" high raise the fixture up 25in then over a week span lower it a inch every week. Thats what i would do. I may even raise it higher then that but thats a good start. If you see corals bleaching in that week raise it even more

 

[egriesner]

Are you using the reefbreeder leds? They are strong. I hang them a foot above my tank and only let them operate at 45% max.

 

[mdenesha]

So the consensus is bleaching from the lights then?

In that case great idea - I'll try a combo attack! - putting the frag near the bottom and raise the lights

I wish I would have did this before I left the house!

 

[egriesner]

What are your calcium levels?

 

[mdenesha]

380 a week ago - 12 gal nano w/ pink monti and pavona for SPS

 

[mdenesha]

Moved the Birdsnest down and raised the lights up - this morning I notice there are several white spots, but it is more like a film, some of which has blown off - almost like it is shedding - any ideas?

Its a tough angle because its actually on the side facing the back of the tank, I didn't want to reach in, move it, and potentially stress it more.

Polyps extension is still good and colorful, and the color on the trunk looks like it may have darkened up also

 

[Rob&Gab]

make sure your doing weekly water changes or 2 a week as needed, how many watts are your LED's? duke is right raise them up cause you dont want to keep loosing stuff.

whats your water par's?

 

[troywalkerphoto]

is this the green birds nest you got from me? I have amazing growth under t5. I think its shock. Let me know how its going since we are meeting this weekend. If you are still having problems I will bring you another no prob.

 

[mdenesha]

The LEDs are 60 Watts - changing over from stock pc's that came with the hood. Haven't checked water parameters since this weekend, but everything was within normal limits.

So this white film isn't normal then? I'll monitor it for a few more days and do more water changes

 

[troywalkerphoto]

Also in photo and film they use something called a neutral density filter to cut lighting. You can buy it in 12"x12" sheets. it will cut the light by 25%, 50%, etc.

 

[reefer4eva]

Honestly I think you jumped the gun too fast on buying an LED fixture that doesn't dim.and I also think you jumped the gun on sps corals.and yes the green birdsnest is one of the easiest corals to grow and if it is stressed out that much it might be telling you something.also when corals go from T5 to led they become stressed and to add 100% they will bleach.not being harsh just stating the obvious not that a month from now you turn around and say that LED's stink.

 

[mdenesha]

I think you are right about the SPS and I should have purchased LED's that dim - unfortunately, I fell into the same trap that many beginning reef hobbyists are prone to. It is a lesson learned - hopefully this piece can be nursed back to health.

Although I do appreciate your honesty, it isn't constructive criticism - just criticism. I have since made an effort to remedy the situation.. keeping my fingers crossed! Hopefully, a month from now, I won't be so ignorant as to pretend that I really know anything about LED's being good or bad. In this instance, the error is all mine.

 

[reefer4eva]

I think you are right about the SPS and I should have purchased LED's that dim - unfortunately, I fell into the same trap that many beginning reef hobbyists are prone to. It is a lesson learned - hopefully this piece can be nursed back to health.

Although I do appreciate your honesty, it isn't constructive criticism - just criticism. I have since made an effort to remedy the situation.. keeping my fingers crossed! Hopefully, a month from now, I won't be so ignorant as to pretend that I really know anything about LED's being good or bad. In this instance, the error is all mine.

We all been there...that's what this forum is for!don't be afraid to ask for advice(and take my advice take the ignorant comment s like a grain of salt)there are a lot of knowledgeable people on here ..good news is like I said in the last comment the green birds nest is the easiest SPS coral to have...once it gets adjusted to the lights it will be fine

 

[mdenesha]

Thanks reefer - better to tell it straight then beat around the bush!

This forum really is invaluable, and I feel bad for anyone who doesn't know or simply can't take advantage of all the knowledge and experience here!

 

[Bikeboss11]

What's your pH and Alkalinity levels

 

[mdenesha]

pH - 8.3
Alk - 7dKH