Bleaching Staghorn Leather - Lighting prob?

[DrHarryLopez]

Noticed my Pink Finger Staghorn Leather (Sarcophton sp.) bleaching and not extending as much as it used to.

I moved my corals from a forty Gal one MH 10KK 175W to a 120 gal two MH 10KK 175W about 3 wks now. Water para's are good.

I'm wondering if the strong lighting schedule would have something to do with it. I cut the MH lights down to only two hours today and plan to increase them one hour each day. Is this ok?:confused:

[Blown 346]

Yeah it's ok, but after changing the lighting that much the corals should have been towards the bottom and slowly moved up over a period of weeks. As far as the staghorn goes I dont think it will last depending on how bad it is.

[DrHarryLopez]

what could be other reasons for bleaching of the stag?

[Blown 346]

Not having proper water flow, feeding, other corals stinging it, water chemistry. All of these reasons will end up killing the coral slowly, too much light will kill it faster than anything else.

[DrHarryLopez]

I completely reduced the amount of time the lights are on to a total of about 4 hours of Mh lamps. The actinics are on for about 14 hours while I also have two small 13W red PC lights as moonlights on during the down MH time.

[DrHarryLopez]

Should I also place the staghorn down a t the lower part of the tank where he will only partial or less lighting?

[Blown 346]

Yes I would move him down to the lower part of the tank towards the bottom. Placing it in Less lighting would help him out

[DrHarryLopez]

k thanks