Monticap...darkening...

Congaken · Aug 23, 2016

Have a beautiful, red monticap...seems to be growing well...now its darkening...a lot...almost to a deep, gray maroonish color...otherwise still looks good...its been in high light and good flow since I've had it...Is this just part of the growing process, or do I have a problem?...params are all good in this 10 fusion...change water at least 1/week...don't want to lose this guy...

another red mc is next to him...sort of pale and not doing much, hard to tell if its happy or not...had that one since Reefapalooza in NJ...Thanks...

reeferfoxx · Aug 23, 2016

Congaken said:
Have a beautiful, red monticap...seems to be growing well...now its darkening...a lot...almost to a deep, gray maroonish color...otherwise still looks good...its been in high light and good flow since I've had it...Is this just part of the growing process, or do I have a problem?...params are all good in this 10 fusion...change water at least 1/week...don't want to lose this guy...

another red mc is next to him...sort of pale and not doing much, hard to tell if its happy or not...had that one since Reefapalooza in NJ...Thanks...

Is the monti cap growing downward? Also the bleaching of the other corals might indicate nutrient deficiency. Check your no3 and po4. Also check cal, mag and alk. Water changes may not be enough for stony corals.

Congaken · Aug 23, 2016

reeferfoxx said:
Is the monti cap growing downward? Also the bleaching of the other corals might indicate nutrient deficiency. Check your no3 and po4. Also check cal, mag and alk. Water changes may not be enough for stony corals.

No, its growing upwards...I wouldn't say that the other is bleaching, its just sort of where its been since I got it...

reeferfoxx · Aug 23, 2016

Congaken said:
No, its growing upwards...I wouldn't say that the other is bleaching, its just sort of where its been since I got it...

What kind of light are you using?

reeferfoxx · Aug 23, 2016

My monti cap becomes dark with the presence of elevated po4. And actually, I have monti caps growing in different positions in my tank. One is up high and one is down low. Higher light equals brighter colors and lower light equals darker colors. However, eleveted po4(0.04 or higher) shows some thinning and darkening of the coral. Just my experience with it.

Congaken · Aug 23, 2016

reeferfoxx said:
My monti cap becomes dark with the presence of elevated po4. And actually, I have monti caps growing in different positions in my tank. One is up high and one is down low. Higher light equals brighter colors and lower light equals darker colors. However, eleveted po4(0.04 or higher) shows some thinning and darkening of the coral. Just my experience with it.

Using an AP test kit (I know)...its somewhere's around .1...its never been lower than that...everything else is great...just the darkening...so IDK...thanks...

Congaken · Aug 23, 2016

reeferfoxx said:
What kind of light are you using?

the standard white and actinic Skylight (IM) and an actinic strip...perhaps I should lower it down some...hard to find space in a 10...

reeferfoxx · Aug 23, 2016

Congaken said:
Using an AP test kit (I know)...its somewhere's around .1...its never been lower than that...everything else is great...just the darkening...so IDK...thanks...

With po4 being that high, it is important to watch alkalinity levels. Higher organics means higher alkalnity swings. You must stay on top of that. Try and reduce the po4 to 0.05 or less. And make sure your alk levels stay stable. Monti caps are hardy. But if color is an issue, for you, you must watch parameters.

SeaDweller · Aug 24, 2016

Post a picture. When my monti caps were becoming a gray color it was because my Mg was ultra low. What are your other parameters as RF asked for?

john.m.cole3 · Sep 7, 2016

reeferfoxx said:
Is the monti cap growing downward? Also the bleaching of the other corals might indicate nutrient deficiency. Check your no3 and po4. Also check cal, mag and alk. Water changes may not be enough for stony corals.

what would growing downward indicate?

reeferfoxx · Sep 7, 2016

john.m.cole3 said:
what would growing downward indicate?

Too much light.

john.m.cole3 · Sep 7, 2016

reeferfoxx said:
Too much light.

Reason I ask is b/c I have a big piece I put in my tank a few months ago. It has a brighter red now, but it has grown in thickness from 1/8 inch to 3/8" or slightly more. the growth edge on the perimeter is on the underside, but it is encrusting upwards on the rock