Monti Troubles

[Stray32]

So my monti's have been dying on me in the last couple of months, and I have no idea why. I checked all of my water params this past weekend:

Phos - 0
Nitrates - 0
Calcium - 400
Alk - 9

I didn't check PH or Magnesium.

Anyway, I have lost my Superman and Rainbow encrusting montis, and it appears that all three of my caps are starting to RTN. I haven't changed anything lately, ie flow, lighting. All of my acros and other SPS are doing fine, as well as my many zoas and palys. Any ideas guys?

 

[coralfarm123]

Have you looked really close for monti eating nudis?

 

[Stray32]

No I actually haven't looked at all, they are not something I even thought of actually. What should I look for?

 

[condor]

check your mg it is probly low

 

[coralfarm123]

They are super tiny and are really hard to see, but are usually found on the white areas of the montis and look kinda like little white spiders. They blend in with the white skeleton. If you don't see them on the topside, check underside of the monti as well.

 

[johnanddawn]

Have you looked really close for monti eating nudis?

+1
nudis are about an 1/8 inch long and have feather gills on top
right when the lights come on check the edge of the monti - they tend to hide during hte day (and lay their eggs) on the under side
you should be able to see them without any problem

check your mg it is probly low

+1
montis are the first to show low mag (them and coraline algae) check this for sure

some say montis are also sensitive to potasium levels (i am not sure whether the K link has been scientifically documented and i can not varify this either because i have never tested or dosed K specifically myself). however i do dose iodine and many iodine suppliments are actually KI and therfore K gets dosed with it, so if your dosing iodine this shouldn't be an issue anyway

 

[Stray32]

Thanks guys, I will check everything when I get home today. I have had difficulty growing coralline as well, so I am wondering if its a Mag problem....