porites/x-mas tree worms

[Talonstorm]

2 days ago I purchased this rock with x-mas tree worms and porites on it. I am concerned because there is an area that looks like it is bleaching and other portions look greyish. Can anyone tell me if it looks OK? You can see its placement in the tank. I put it there because I read it liked high light and moderate flow. Any recomendations?

The bleached area is at the center of the 3 bunches of worms:

Another picture:

The greyish area:

Tank placement:

I acclimated it very slowly using the drip method. My tank specs:

30 gallon cube
CPR bak pak skimmer
3 maxi-jet 900 power heads
57 lbs live rock
RO/DI water used to make saltwater
Temp ~78 degrees F
Light: 175 watt MH plus 36 watts actinic
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 5 ppm
Ammonia 0 ppm

I have not started any supplements yet, but I plan to begin adding b-ionic this week. Any suggestions on my new addition would be great. I really want to do my best to keep it healthy.

Thanks,
Tina

 

[Anonymous]

Not too worried unless it spread. The rest of the coral looks fine. Consider that it is brownish, I will put it closer to the side. You don't want to give them too much light if it is brownish in color. Move closer to the lamp as it get more greenish or lighter in color. Great specimen you got there.

 

[Anonymous]

Reminds me of the stuff we saw snorkling in Cozumel... really neat! 8)

~wings~

 

[Nautilus1]

I agree, looks like a lot of light depending on what it was used to.

 

[fungia]

the bleaching is on the bottom side so i dont think it is too much light or else the top should bleach first, i think. many of my new corals look like this when i first add them, even if i acclimate slow. they rebound after they are in my tank so i wouldnt worry about it too much.

 

[Nautilus1]

IT is still possible that it is bleaching. Perhaps the bottom side never got a lot of light in its previous home and now it is.

 

[Talonstorm]

What I did was move the live rock on either side out a little more and moved it down in the tank about 6 inches. Probably not a lot of difference, but maybe that will help. It looks no worse, no better today.

Thanks for all the advice!
Tina