Monti question

[Somuchflo99]

is this normal,new growth or is it fixable

 

[HB AL]

Kinda hard to tell with the blue pics but is it just paling or the white areas dying tissue?

 

[Salty1962]

What is your lighting system? What is your Ca and Alk levels? What is your water flow like in the tank? If you can find the culprit then the Monti should survive.

 

[DSC reef]

Agreed, you have polyps out so that's a good sign. Montis were good indicators for me when chemistry was off or having alk swings.

 

[Somuchflo99]

I have 1 kessil a80 6 inches above the water the Monti is about ten maby 12 inches under water and the light ramps up to 100% for four hours a day flow is pretty moderate and random in its location

 

[Somuchflo99]

I do not have a test kit for this supplements yet as I do not dose or any thing I do do 10 percent water changes weekly is only 20 gal tank should I up my percentage of water change

 

[Somuchflo99]

Could it be too much light

 

[DSC reef]

Hard to tell. Honestly with out testing you'll never know the swings in Chemistry. For example, I dose 40ml of alk daily in 2 doses but after a water change I don't dose due to the alk in the fresh made water. I test alk the next morning to determine how much to dose then carry on the regular routine once I see the alk is being used up. It really helps me eliminate large swings.

 

[Somuchflo99]

So I need an alk test kit and what do I use to dose alk Can I make my own or do I just get some from lfs?

 

[DSC reef]

Try to check alk, calcium and mag. I check alk very frequently though. Plenty of supplements and randy Holmes farley has a diy recipe as well. I use aquavitro, pricy but it's good. Don't dose without testing though.

 

[Somuchflo99]

Ok thank you very much for your input really don’t wanna lose this coral

 

[DSC reef]

No worries. Some montis can be difficult though. Some species like hodgesoni or spongodes have been bullet proof for me while the sunburst capricornis has been the most difficult. It's strange for sure. Other than my spongodes, medium light seemed to be what the montis preferred IME.

 

[Somuchflo99]

Yea I only have one kessil a80 over it but I think it’s the issue is the placement is directly under the light center of the tank with good flow I turned the ramp back a little bit wile I start saving for the correct test kits I have the basic one but need the others it was at 100 percent for a few hours out of the day to fulfill the needs of my bta but I think it was too much I have noticed since I ramped the lighting up to 100 for a couple hours is it possible this a80 is that strong?

 

[Somuchflo99]

 

[DSC reef]

Hard to tell without a par meter. I see some polyps out which I would assume isn't under the direct light. Maybe just move it a little so it's not getting blasted.

 

[WWIII]

Test alkalinity first. What salt do you use? When alkalinity is depleted from coraline, corals, etc it obviously goes lower. Then when you do water changes it most likely raises it back up. Sps, even montis like stable conditions. It's possible to keep it stable with just water changes, but it should be tested for to know.

You can use baking soda to make your own alk solution. I think kalkwasser is probably the easiest to use in low to medium demand tanks though as it adds balanced alk and calcium. Gotta get the tank balanced first though if it's not already. Brs sells a kalkwasser starter kit that has everything you need and is probably one of the most cost efficient solutions. Or you can get the supplies at your lfs. Up to you! Good luck!

 

[Somuchflo99]

Thank you @WWIII i will definitely be testing first thing

 

[Flippers4pups]

I've had best luck with montipora capricornis when I keep my alkalinity around 8-9 dkh, calcium around 420-450, magnesium at 1350, P04 at trace and N03 between 5-10 ppm.

I've had them look worse than yours! Heck, even bleach out and come back.

This one looked worse than yours until I got my N03 up to 10 ppm and stable:

 

[Somuchflo99]

I've had best luck with montipora capricornis when I keep my alkalinity around 8-9 dkh, calcium around 420-450, magnesium at 1350, P04 at trace and N03 between 5-10 ppm.

I've had them look worse than yours! Heck, even bleach out and come back.

This one looked worse than yours until I got my N03 up to 10 ppm and stable:

Beautiful btwand much notes info really thank you guys for all of your help if anyone else has any other experiences with this coral please feel free chime in

 

[mtraylor]

I agree. I would be testing Alk first. Have you had a chance to check yet?