Do you smell toast?
 

Tell me honestly, is this Blue Stag completely toasted? It looks NOTHING like it did when it first came.

The day it arrived:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k...28c%2529-1.jpg

Today:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-y...9-no/Toast.jpg

Evidently my phosphates are very high. This happened so subtly that I only caught on a week or so ago after my phosphorous checker arrived. I did a huge WC (big by my standards; close to 40%), brand new GFO (I didn't rinse this time but it eventually cleared up). They are now <0.1ppm and I have modified some feeding habit.

I don't think it gone. It has just browned up.

That looks like one of our blue torts. If it is, that guy likes a lot of light, If nutrients are in check I would slowly move it to higher and higher light. It will get its baby blue back in time.

are the pictures reversed?

how it looks to me too:)

Nope they aren't reversed. The blue is how it came and the brown is how it is now. It can't really get any higher without putting it next to the bulbs. Maybe two or so inches higher.

Seriously though. Is it not enough light? A couple of 250w HQI halides and a couple 54w T5's should give enough light almost anywhere in my tank shouldn't they?

Would phosphates do this?

Yes. Rinse your food. :biggrin:

That won't brighten up but new growth will.

Give it some time. It will colour back up.

yeah not uncommon for new pieces to brown out especially if theres nutrient differences in the two systems.

keep on your parameters and stability and it will color up.