Coral bleaching from bottom

[SCReef'n]

My Tubbs stellata has started to bleach where it is encrusting the rocks. I’ve heard this is a sign of low nutrients. My nitrates are un detectable and phosphates are 0.6. This has been the case for about 2 weeks. My refugium does too a good job removing nitrates. I’ve dialed down the lights to 9 hrs a night to try and reduce the uptake. Do you guys really think low nutrients is the cause?

 

[SCReef'n]

Been trying to get rid of some algae bryopsis and ulva. Feel trapped now too low and coral beach too high algae bloom.

 

[Timfish]

Depending on growth it may be from lack of light caused by shading.

 

[SCReef'n]

It’s med size frag I kinda doubt it’s shading.

 

[SCReef'n]

Oh ok then guess that answers that

 

[Timfish]

Well, fascinating animal but that really sucks! Any signs of them anywhere else in your system? Can you identify the source?

 

[SCReef'n]

Well, fascinating animal but that really sucks! Any signs of them anywhere else in your system? Can you identify the source?

No idea of the source. I have a few montis. I removed the old plug and glue and moved the stellata to the frag rack after I picked off all the MEN. I will watch the rest of the montis each night and repeat as needed until I’m convinced they are eradicated. Heard the eggs take several weeks to hatch so hopefully with some patients I can break the cycle