Encrusting Monti Unhappy, New SPS Keeper Could Use Help.

[PirateMonkeyReefer]

So I picked up a Reverse Superman Monti from my LFS and Allowed it to acclimate at the bottom at the tank (120 PAR) for about a week. It seemed really happy until I moved it up to its new place in the mid zone (260 PAR) It's faded a little bit but it shows more polyp extension when the only the blues are on (210 PAR)

I don't want to rush and move it if it can acclimate which I've heard can take a few weeks to a few months so I thought id ask some more experienced SPS keepers. Meanwhile, my Green Slimer is getting blasted by 345 PAR at peak light and couldn't be happier!

Heres my PAR map and where the Monti is circled in red.

Salinity - 1.026
Alk - 7.5
Cal - 440
Mag - 1400
PH - 8.2
NO3 - 20

Tank Flow 120X-50X

 

[erky]

nitrates? looks like a brand new tank. might be starving without enough nitrates/po4.

you should be good to move it also, sorry i read this wrong at first.

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

I agree with the nitrates/phosphates as a possibility. Also, what trace elements are you dosing? I have found that my Montipora do much better under intense lighting with dosing of amino acids, carbohydrates, and trace elements (especially potassium).

 

[PirateMonkeyReefer]

nitrates? looks like a brand new tank. might be starving without enough nitrates/po4.

you should be good to move it also, sorry i read this wrong at first.

Oops forgot it! They hang out between 10-20 but it been closer to 20. I've been dosing about 1ML of AquaVitro Fuel Aminos every day as well.

 

[PirateMonkeyReefer]

I agree with the nitrates/phosphates as a possibility. Also, what trace elements are you dosing? I have found that my Montipora do much better under intense lighting with dosing of amino acids, carbohydrates, and trace elements (especially potassium).

I need to Test Phospates Algae grows but not very aggressively and I'm wondering if low phosphates is a part of the reason

 

[wmo168]

Alk is a bit low

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

I need to Test Phospates Algae grows but not very aggressively and I'm wondering if low phosphates is a part of the reason

Well, you don't want high phosphates, but you probably don't want zero, either. I run mine in the 0.02-0.08 ppm range, with nitrates in the 1-3 ppm range.

 

[PirateMonkeyReefer]

Alk is a bit low

I've tried and tried to get it stable around 8 bit it likes it around 7-7.5 which is where it hangs out in the ocean so I'm not going to keep fighting it and make sure it stays stable which it has been for about a 2 months even with dosing around 1.5 dkh a day

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

I've tried and tried to get it stable around 8 bit it likes it around 7-7.5 which is where it hangs out in the ocean so I'm not going to keep fighting it and make sure it stays stable which it has been for about a 2 months even with dosing around 1.5 dkh a day

7.5 is fine. I've seen tons of beautiful reefs with alkalinity in the 7-7.5 range. Stability is more important than a specific value in the 7-8.5 range.

 

[PirateMonkeyReefer]

Well, you don't want high phosphates, but you probably don't want zero, either. I run mine in the 0.02-0.08 ppm range, with nitrates in the 1-3 ppm range.

Id love to get my nitrates that low! I figure its still a young tank though. Almost 3 months. Its just odd that the Acro is happier than the Monti.

 

[PirateMonkeyReefer]

Posted a Picture of the monti in the first post

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Id love to get my nitrates that low! I figure its still a young tank though. Almost 3 months. Its just odd that the Acro is happier than the Monti.

The green slimer is a pretty robust coral. My experience with Montipora (I have four varieties) is that they tend to be a bit finicky until you get your tank dialed in on the right parameters. In my tank, the Montipora in the center receive around 350 PAR and are doing just fine. Lower alkalinity ~8dKH with aminos, carbs, and trace elements seem to be the key.

 

[PirateMonkeyReefer]

Thanks, Beautiful tank by the way!! That's really the core of the question is should I stay the course or move things. At what point would you recommend moving to a lower light area?

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Thanks, Beautiful tank by the way!! That's really the core of the question is should I stay the course or move things. At what point would you recommend moving to a lower light area?

Honestly, I haven't found that changing lighting intensity has a positive effect, even if you lower it. I think it has to do more with nutrients and general health of the colony more than anything else. What salt mix are you using?

 

[PirateMonkeyReefer]

Fritz Blue Box

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Fritz Blue Box

That looks like it has all of the trace elements. If you're not dosing aminos and carbs, I can tell you that my Montipora really suffered until I started doing that consistently.

Also, I've found that my Superman Montipora seems to be the most sensitive and least aggressive of all the of Montipora in my tank.

 

[PirateMonkeyReefer]

That looks like it has all of the trace elements. If you're not dosing aminos and carbs, I can tell you that my Montipora really suffered until I started doing that consistently.

Also, I've found that my Superman Montipora seems to be the most sensitive and least aggressive of all the of Montipora in my tank.

I'm dosing Aquavitro Fuel Aminos the Pavona and Slimer love it. I'm only doing a half dose right now as there's just not enough coral in the tank yet to justify a full dose.

Its good to know that it's more sensitive. I'll just have to keep being patient! I just want all my little animals to thrive and its tough to not act out of impulse and come to more experienced reef keepers to check myself.

Thank you!

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

I'm dosing Aquavitro Fuel Aminos the Pavona and Slimer love it. I'm only doing a half dose right now as there's just not enough coral in the tank yet to justify a full dose.

Its good to know that it's more sensitive. I'll just have to keep being patient! I just want all my little animals to thrive and its tough to not act out of impulse and come to more experienced reef keepers to check myself.

Thank you!

No problem. Seems like you're doing the right things. I think it will thrive if you remain patient.

 

[monti mike]

Did your monti ever recover?