maze braing starting to bleach
 

Hi all,

I've had a maze brain in my tank for a few months now, he's been doing well up until recently (I think, maybe he's still doing well). The tank is a 90 gallon with metal halide + PC actinics, and I keep the water clean, tested, and supplemented. Most recent water test is as follows:

pH 8.3
sg 1.024
alk 9 dKH
cal 440
magnesium 1280
nitrate 0
temp 80 F


I've attached a couple of pics of the maze below, can anyone recognize what's happening? Is it dying, or is this just a phase it's going through? The fluorescent green in between it's ridges is fine, but the ridges themselves are turning very white. He still sticks his sweepers out, but not as much as before. I supplement with DT's phytoplankton once a week.

Attachment 2347

Attachment 2348

Can we get a pic with full lights on? Perhaps it's just becasue that's how it looks during actinic phase?

sure, the halide lamps should be on very soon, once they come on and warm up i'll take another shot and upload it (still looks very bleached though)

Looks like it may be. What's the PO4 in the tank? and are there any corals close to it?

Attachment 2361


phosphates are undetectable, I tested both my tank water and my 25 gallon drum of mixed saltwater just before a water change, undetectable in both. No corals anywhere near it, the closest is a trumpet coral that is situated on the rocks about mid-way through the tank, this guy is on the ground near the right edge of the tank (so 1.5 ft or more away from the next nearest coral). Well I guess I have some zoas and those green frilly mushrooms, but they are on the other side of the rocks, still a foot or more away.

Could have a pest. Odd bleaching on this guy, that's what makes me lean toward a pest or something slime'n it. Seen any warfare occurring or stress from any other corals? It's either that or a pest invert or fish?