Montipora Dying After Just Starting to Dose

[Dubsicles]

First time doser here. I just started to dose the Red Sea Foundation A, B and C (Alkalinity, Calcium, and Magnesium). I gradually worked my way up to the following levels over the course of 4 days:

Alk (dkh): Start 6.2/ End 8.3
Calc (ppm): Start 397/ End 437
Mg (ppm): Start 1360/ End 1440

I've noticed after 2 days my encrusting monitipora (which I've had for 3+ years) is starting to look bad and not doing so hot . It's color is originally red, but it is starting to fade out.

I am thinking I changed parameters so quickly. Any advice what I should do next? My thinking is try to maintain these parameter levels for the next 2-3 weeks (not increasing them any further). My target levels are Alk 8, Calc 450, and Mg 1440. Thoughts?

 

[T-J]

What are your phosphates? I know that those supplements can increase PO4 pretty quickly.

 

[moz71]

My encrusting monti’s have paled to almost white when changing all levels. BUT once stable for a period of time they colored back up but took awhile. I think it was the change and just give them time at stable levels

 

[Apotack]

My encrusting monti’s have paled to almost white when changing all levels. BUT once stable for a period of time they colored back up but took awhile. I think it was the change and just give them time at stable levels

ive experienced the same

 

[sculpin01]

This is usually due to increasing alkalinity with too low nutrients, notably phosphate.

There is a definite balance between alkalinity and phosphate level. Low phosphate (<0.05) requires either very high nutrient throughput (large volume feeding/skimming) or lower alkalinity (6.0-7.5 range). The higher the phosphate level, the more tolerant corals are to alkalinity swings/elevation, although coloration may change. The old adage of high phosphate/weak skeleton/slow growth is very debatable, with some scientific literature showing increased growth in higher phosphate. For whatever reason, a phosphate concentration of 0.05 seems to be the inflection point between "not enough" and "just right". No one has clearly shown where the "just right" to "too much" inflection point is.