bleaching zooanthids

[trout]

I have had these for alittle over 2 months. They started out on bottom of tank and were very dark brown with green centers. They gradually startded to lighten I have moved them to the top and then to the middle with no real affect. They are supposed to be easy to keep but apparently not for me. i also have some mushrooms, a Sarcophyton, and a colt (home to a false percula) that are all doing well. any help would be great.

55 gal
wet/dry
40lb live rock
shallow sand 1-2 in
ph 8.2-8.4
alk 9.5 dkh
ca 370
nitrate 0
nitrite 0
ammonia 0
mg 340

 

[Anonymous]

and your lighting is?....

 

[beerbaron]

whats your temp, and has it been fluctuating in the heat lately

 

[clwnphish]

Like the others said what is your lighting and temp, also is you colt being irratated by your clown?

 

[trout]

4 VHO lights 1 actinic, 1 50/50, 2 aquasuns. temp moves around quite a bit on hot days 78-82.

The clown does not seem to be killing it. Some times she gets to be to much and it closes up. This happened more in the begining. No she can sit in it and it will still be fully open. So far so good.

 

[beerbaron]

it could be the temp, although it doesnt seem to bad. i have heard from some people that if your temp fluxuates, it may be better to just raise the heater to keep it at a constant. even if it is higher than the reccomended temp. try stabilizing the temperature through oter means also.

just my 2 c

 

[clwnphish]

I do what BB said and also run some carbon just incase you colt is unleashing some chemical warfare with your zoanthids, From what you said i doubt it is,but just in case I would.

 

[esmithiii]

If the color has lightened only, I would not worry. If they are completely white, that is another thing all together. My zooanthids like to be high in the tank with as much light as possible. Some species are in less than 1' of water, some even exposed at low tide. I have seen miles of zooanthids in less than 1' of water in full sun in the caribean.

Can you post some pictures?

Ernie