Is my Monti bleaching or something else?

[Paul31733]

Hey everybody!
Just wondering if anyone has any idea what's wrong with my sunset montipora. It has been in my tank for 8 months.
Tank is one year old.
Parameters are in screenshot.

Is this bleaching from light?
Thanks.
Paul.

 

[fishguy242]

what is placement in tank? can you post full tank shot ? what lights are you using?

 

[Paul31733]

what is placement in tank? can you post full tank shot ? what lights are you using?

It is upper right hand corner.
A.i. prime 10 inches off water.

 

[fishguy242]

hi,does not seem to be too much light?? too high in tank?
if was me i would try lowering it, i have seen them encrust the bottom on a bare bottom tank.

 

[Paul31733]

hi,does not seem to be too much light?? too high in tank?
if was me i would try lowering it, i have seen them encrust the bottom on a bare bottom tank.

I am only 1 year in this hobby so I have alot to learn.

You say it is not too much light, but that it is too high in the tank.

I was under the impression that the reason height was important was because the lights are stronger up there.

Am I incorrect in this thinking?

Thanks
Paul.

 

[fishguy242]

yes i am thinking too much light,too high in reef ,correct,jmo..

 

[Paul31733]

yes i am thinking too much light,too high in reef ,correct,jmo..

Ohhhh ok I thought you said NOT too much light but too high up!

But you said it IS too much light up top

Gotcha lol..
Thanks.
Paul.

 

[Paul31733]

Ohhhh ok I thought you said NOT too much light but too high up!

But you said it IS too much light up top

Gotcha lol..
Thanks.
Paul.

I have a seneye.

Any ideas what par level this should be around?

 

[fishguy242]

i do not ,sorry..

 

[Paul31733]

i do not ,sorry..

This is my first issue like this. Is this what coral bleaching looks like?

 

[USMC 4 LIFE]

They are stronger up there

In my experience and research bleaching is cause by too much lighting, nitrates/phosphates bottoming out, and / or alkalinity being too high.

Coral health is a balance of light, nutrients, and alkalinity. Lighting and nutrients will follow one another. So if you raise your light intensity, proportionately raise your nutrients. When doing this alkalinity should be maintained. Lower it if bleaching occurs.

So from what I read, it sounds light it’s receiving too much light. You stated you have nitrates/phosphates and your alkalinity is within reason.

Try lowering the coral to the sand bed instead of messing with the light and see how it looks in two weeks. Most Montipora DO NOT require strong lighting and can thrive in 150 par.

 

[fishguy242]

really hard to tell under blues,but something looks off in center of piece,from what i can see.

 

[Paul31733]

They are stronger up there

In my experience and research bleaching is cause by too much lighting, nitrates/phosphates bottoming out, and / or alkalinity being too high.

Coral health is a balance of light, nutrients, and alkalinity. Lighting and nutrients will follow one another. So if you raise your light intensity, proportionately raise your nutrients. When doing this alkalinity should be maintained. Lower it if bleaching occurs.

So from what I read, it sounds light it’s receiving too much light. You stated you have nitrates/phosphates and your alkalinity is within reason.

Try lowering the coral to the sand bed instead of messing with the light and see how it looks in two weeks. Most Montipora DO NOT require strong lighting and can thrive in 150 par.

Thanks for the detailed response!!

I have it attached to a rock cause I'm a noobie lol. I will try to remove it though!

 

[Paul31733]

really hard to tell under blues,but something looks off in center of piece,from what i can see.

If you are talking about this spot. It is a hole in the rock it grew over.

 

[Paul31733]

Weird thing is it is growing towards the light also.

 

[fishguy242]

yes i see that, maybe adjust to more flat ,than on angle

 

[Paul31733]

yes i see that, maybe adjust to more flat ,than on angle

I was hoping to have a couple encrusting Montis grow up and down that rock... Guess I'll have to use something else.

Can you recommend any coral which may work for that?

 

[fishguy242]

depends on what you like,so many too choose from, monti's tend to be more of a plating coral.

 

[Paul31733]

depends on what you like,so many too choose from, monti's tend to be more of a plating coral.

Oh ok I thought there were encrusting and plating types.

I was thinking cyphastrea but I heard it's very aggressive.