montipora cap question

t blackwell · Apr 11, 2019

I got a green monti cap about two weeks ago..its about 2x2. I had it on a frag rack for maybe a week and then i moved it up to one of my taller rocks. My parameters are all good ..except my nitrates a little high maybe 25 ( everything else is spot on) It is very subtle but I swear it looks like the thing is getting more pale..its on a rock about halfway up a 30" tall tank..the light above is sitting on glass maybe 20 to 24 inches from it..its a maxspect razor..320 watt..I have it ramp up to maybe 80 percent at its highest around 1 pm..so im doubting this coral is getting too much light..I have it a few inches(8) below a gyre and it should get plenty of flow from both directions. I am new to montipora..I have killed a couple of small frags of coral before but I think im getting much better..any advice would be appreciated..I really want to succeed with this coral..my other corals seem to be doing fairly well...again its very very subtle but I swear it looks a little faded..advice would be much appreciated...cal alk mg and phos are all good..even trace elements are good...the only parameter thats off is nitrates at 25 to 30..but that should not be a big issue....working on them...would appreciate some insight /advice

sbash · Apr 11, 2019

t blackwell said:
My parameters are all good

Please post them.

Monti caps are usually pretty hardy, it is probably just adjusting to the light change. I find montis easier to keep than most other sps (aside from birds nests really)... Anyway; if it fades quickly, then you definitely have some sort of problem, but if it slowly fades out (unless it fully bleaches), then it will colour back up eventually. My green went completely pale after a couple alk dips and took six months to regain its colour.

Keep your parameters stable, and it should recover fine.

t blackwell · Apr 11, 2019

sbash said:
Please post them.

Monti caps are usually pretty hardy, it is probably just adjusting to the light change. I find montis easier to keep than most other sps (aside from birds nests really)... Anyway; if it fades quickly, then you definitely have some sort of problem, but if it slowly fades out (unless it fully bleaches), then it will colour back up eventually. My green went completely pale after a couple alk dips and took six months to regain its colour.

Keep your parameters stable, and it should recover fine.

ok ..thanks..you dont think thats too much light do you..that coral is at least 20 inches maybe 24 ish from the light..and not directly under all but more on the right hand side...it looks like it has faded ever so slightly and its been in the tank about two weeks and that spot for one week ish..alk has been 7.9 to 8.2 all other numbers are good except nitrates as i said..im just wondering if my light is too bright too soon..my light is only 320 total watts for a 220 tank..so I think of it as not enough really..but as i said its 20 to 24 inches below the light source..id love to hear what you think

sbash · Apr 11, 2019

t blackwell said:
ok ..thanks..you dont think thats too much light do you..that coral is at least 20 inches maybe 24 ish from the light..and not directly under all but more on the right hand side...it looks like it has faded ever so slightly and its been in the tank about two weeks and that spot for one week ish..alk has been 7.9 to 8.2 all other numbers are good except nitrates as i said..im just wondering if my light is too bright too soon..my light is only 320 total watts for a 220 tank..so I think of it as not enough really..but as i said its 20 to 24 inches below the light source..id love to hear what you think

If it is that far, then it may not be enough light. How far are your lights from the water surface? Are using the standard Razor arms?

High ICP · Apr 11, 2019

Nudis?

Those are nasty animals

They will make quick work of your montis

t blackwell · Apr 11, 2019

sbash said:
If it is that far, then it may not be enough light. How far are your lights from the water surface? Are using the standard Razor arms?

the razor is on standard arms..sitting on glass tops so it is about 10 inches from water...then monti cap is another 12 inches underwater....its a 320 watt razor...at its high it runs about 88 percent as i have it set right now..kind of ramps up from 10am to a high of about 88 around 1pm..then a gradual ramp down and the last couple of hours till say 8-9 pm its coming down from blue 40 white 10 the light

6 led clusters and of course my last couple inches on either end is darker..6ft long tank..30 high...what would you do if it appears to be lightening..I will recheck alk but they have been fine..;ast test about 5 days ago.