Coral color during acclimation *Question on flow*

I have a TCN Red Planet frag that I've had in the DT for about 10 days. It spent the first week on the sand bed and the last 3-4 days up about 4" higher and in a stronger light area.

When I first put it in, the polyps were a dark reddish-brown and the base had a green color to it. Just got home after 3 days of travel and I noticed that the green color is definitely fading. It does still have good polyp extension (as little as they are).

Should I worry much about color as I'm acclimating the frag? I still have at least one more move for it before I put it in its final spot higher in the tank. How long should I leave it at each location. I moved my birdsnest, stylo, and digi into place after only a few days. Will the acro be more sensitive and require more acclimation at each location?

Thanks.

 

That depends- is it bleaching or browning?

If it's browning, it isn't getting enough light. You should be able to move it up higher. If it's bleaching, it needs to go back down on the sand for a bit longer.

 

Corailline should be able to help as I think she saw hers begin to lose the green base. I think she determined it to be a lighting issue.

 

The higher you place it, the more the green will fade.

 

It's browning.

I'll try to get a picture in a bit.

Thanks for the input!

EDIT:
Sorry for the poor quality, but lights were about to go out and the camera wanted to focus on the rock instead of the coral.

 

RP higher lighter base.

Lower, more green.

Polyps should be a combination of red and white.

Congrats on the acquisition, the frag might encrust and loose some color initially. Not sure I would label as browned just yet.

 

Thanks for the help.

I plan on trying it at the very top of my rock. Hoping that it will table a bit, but sounds like I'll lose any green color. Will have to see how it goes.

Is just a few days at each height long enough for acclimation?

 

Hopefully, one day (soon), you won't even be able to see the base!

 

+1 to that!

 

I would give it about 2 weeks in every placement. You have enough light so it will not decline because of lack of light. It takes a couple weeks to see improvement in coloration or even color change.

Yes you're right you will loss the green base if you achieve tabling, which takes the most intense lighting and mod flow.