Is my Montipora growing or dying?

[KeepSwimming12]

Hi,
I’m an LPS fanatic and I’ve only just bought my first montipora so my knowledge is far slimmer than that of LPS corals. From this picture, is my montipora growing or dying? If it’s dying, do you know anything I can do to mitigate that? Thank you!

 

[alysak6075]

Looks like its dying on the shaded sides. Post params, post tank, what light, what flow?

 

[KeepSwimming12]

Looks like its dying on the shaded sides. Post params, post tank, what light, what flow?

Ammonia: 0
Nitrates: 5-10
Nitrites: 0
Calcium: 450
Magnesium: 1350
Alkalinity: 10
Temperature: 28 Celsius. I usually don’t keep at this temperature, however, the tank is fallowing after a velvet outbreak so I increased temperature for that reason. It would usually be 24
In regards to the light, it is the Marine light that comes with the Fluval Flex 123
the flow is low in that area of the tank.

 

[KeepSwimming12]

Looks like its dying on the shaded sides. Post params, post tank, what light, what flow?

Would you suggest that the fact the shaded sides are dying means it’s a light issue alone?

 

[moz71]

Phosphate?? Do you test. Lost one previously due to phosphate going to zero

 

[KeepSwimming12]

Phosphate?? Do you test. Lost one previously due to phosphate going to zero

I don’t have a phosphate test at the moment and don’t test for it. I’ll definitely look into buying a test tomorrow to try and check things off as being okay or in the danger zone. Thank you!

 

[moz71]

Monti’s for me are great but just seem very sensitive to alk swings and no phosphate. Otherwise easy.

 

[KeepSwimming12]

Monti’s for me are great but just seem very sensitive to alk swings and no phosphate. Otherwise easy.

They’re definitely what attracted me to SPS and they’re very beautiful corals. I just wish they had the same easy care requirements of LPS but that comes with the hobby lol. I’ll be sure to keep parameters stable and learn as much as I can about phosphate.

 

[alysak6075]

Would you suggest that the fact the shaded sides are dying means it’s a light issue alone?

i would say maybe, phosphates could be another culprit. try and fix the lighting issue and see if that stops the dying off.

 

[mdb_talon]

I think it is dying. I also think that is a chalice and not a montipora.

 

[fachatga]

I think it is dying. I also think that is a chalice and not a montipora.

I gotta agree here. Looks like the same chalice that was sold to me as a monti before I figured out the guy who sold it to me didn’t know anything about corals. Should be a fast grower I think.

 

[KeepSwimming12]

I think it is dying. I also think that is a chalice and not a montipora.

I gotta agree here. Looks like the same chalice that was sold to me as a monti before I figured out the guy who sold it to me didn’t know anything about corals. Should be a fast grower I think.

Oh wow, that’s surprising. The person that runs the store is a marine biologist so that’s concerning lol. I wish I knew more about SPS but slowly slowly. I’m thankful that I like the coral. Do you think that my temperature being 28 Celsius would be frustrating the coral or do you think it would be something else?

 

[mdb_talon]

Oh wow, that’s surprising. The person that runs the store is a marine biologist so that’s concerning lol. I wish I knew more about SPS but slowly slowly. I’m thankful that I like the coral. Do you think that my temperature being 28 Celsius would be frustrating the coral or do you think it would be something else?

I certainly dont think that temp is helping any, but cant say it is the cause of the issues. I am not sure what light/flow you have it under, but assuming it was placed in pretty high light/flow with the thought it was a monti. If so I would move to low to moderate light at most and moderate flow.

As for the ID am even more confident it is a chalice after seeing it larger on my PC screen now. The size and pattern of those corralites is just not a monti (unless that is a tiny frag that you have zoomed in super close)