Open Brain not lookin to good.

I have had this open brain for few months now. When I got it, it was beautiful. Red and white around the edge and in the middle was bright green. After less then a week it was white. Its at the bottom of my tank on the sand. I have moved it all over the bottom trying to shade it thinking my light was just to intense. I have fed it a few times some mysis shrimp. It doesn't seem like the skeleten is showing but doesnt seem like it puffs up to much. Any ideas on how to bring it back? I just moved it to my refugium to see if that will help. Its a 20 long with a 24in compact flourecent light on it.

Since Ill probably be asked this is what i know off hand...
Temp 76
Nitrate, Nitrite, Ammonia, and Phosphate 0
ph is 8.1
Calcium says 488
Magnessium says 820 (I don't know if I trust those tests to much though)
All is 3.5 meq/l

 

im pretty sure your lights arent enough for that brain... how many watts are the PC's and how old r the bulbs

 

I moved the brain to the refugium because I thought maybe the 400w halide in the display was to much for it. I had it kind of shaded by the center brace and tucked under rocks a little, but still not regaining color. Thats why I figured I'd at least try the refugium, and maybe it regain some color if it was actually bleached because of the lights. The light in the refugium is a 55w ahsupply.com retro fit.

 

400w is a lot for a brain, try to find an overhang in the display.

 

yea lol... the PC's might not be enough and the MH is too powerful lol

but you need it in the display, just verrry shaded

 

If the PC isnt enough will it turn really dark or just slowly die? I had it very shaded in the display under an overhang and in the center under the brace to the point where it almost seemed like it wouldnt get enough light.

 

It would slowly recede and then the skeleton will show and then it will die completely. 400 W is a lot of intensity so you need to block all direct light and just let it pick up the light that is being reflected off of the rocks/glass/sand

 

Hrmm...alright I'll do that in a day or two, I wanna see how this goes. Since I put it in the refugium it has actually puffed up more then it has been in the DT. If it doesnt work in the display tank I'll just give it to a friend of mine who has less intense lighting then I.