Why do Red Montipora color fading

[oneilwiz]

Red Cap Monitporas color fading/ haze look


Hello everyone,


I have checked the following water parameters but can’t figure out why I am loosing color for my Red Monti as well as the loss of my Bird Nest. I have inspected them very closely but fail to see any signs of pest that is visible.


This all started with the loss of my Bird’s Nest colony I lost suddenly. All other corals are doing very well which lead me to think that there may be some form of pests in my tank. I am desperately seeking help to figure out what is happening as the loss of my big Bird nest is making me loose hope for this hobby.

Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/wizreef/





Water Parameters

Alkalinity: 8.4

Phosphate: 0.12

Salinity: 1.025

Magnesium: 1460

Calcium: 470

Before Photo: https://www.instagram.com/p/BKUm7iBhpOH/?taken-by=wizreef



Current shot

 

[melypr1985]

#reefsquad

It looks like there's sand being thrown on it. Do you have any fish that dump sand? Example: I have a black cap basslet that will carry mouthfuls of sand to the top of the tank and just spit it out over everything. He's kinda a jerk like that lol

 

[kschweer]

have your parameters been stable lately? Looks like a possible alk spike to me.

 

[mcarroll]

I'm curious about a nitrate measurement and age of bulbs (if you're not on LED's) as well.

(The before shot is an overhead, but the after shot is through the glass.....corals will always look 1000x better just through water.)

 

[dbl]

...Looks like a possible alk spike to me.

That would be my first thought as well.

 

[oneilwiz]

Thank you guys, I do have a mal wrasse who indeed spits sand alot on these montis. Also I must admit that I have my alk jump to 8.4 from 7.6 over a week and half duration. I am running some radions ever since my tank been up for 5 years now.

 

[jsker]

Phosphates are high according to the OP post

 

[Syntax1235]

Could also be low Potassium. Monti's are usually the first to show paler/washed out colors when Potassium is low.

 

[Jakepen]

.8dkh? I would not call that a spike by any means.

 

[Sabellafella]

Just one of those, cant put a finger on it type of ordeal. From what ive seen, drops in alk cause this.

 

[jsker]

Questions
Have you changed anything in the last two to three weeks? For example dosing, equipment, lighting?
Where were the parameters two to three weeks ago?
Tracking our changes levels us a road map to fix what went wrong.

 

[oneilwiz]

Have you changed anything in the last two to three weeks? For example dosing, equipment, lighting?
Where were the parameters two to three weeks ago?
Tracking our changes levels us a road map to fix what went wrong.

thanks guys, the only thing that I changed is replaced my chemipure Blue and GFO (same portion). I tested my water tonight and this is reading:


October 11th
Alkalinity: 8.29

Phosphate: 0.32

Salinity: 1.026

Magnesium: 1400

Calcium: 500

September 10th reading:
Alkalinity: 8.57

Phosphate: 0.43

Salinity: 1.025

Magnesium: 1480

Calcium: 470

Prior to my to CT in June 2016I was running the Korallen Element Tabs which was added in January:
K balance 5 Tabs
Eisen Iron Concentrate -5 Tabs

 

[oneilwiz]

I woke up early this morning, since the lights are out in the tank, I notice there is so many worms in the sand bed some near the corals. I couldn't tell what type of worms they are.
My attempted solution ? :

• refill on the Korallen element tabs
• Add some form of solution that kills worm

 

[melypr1985]

I woke up early this morning, since the lights are out in the tank, I notice there is so many worms in the sand bed some near the corals. I couldn't tell what type of worms they are.
My attempted solution ? :

• refill on the Korallen element tabs
• Add some form of solution that kills worm

They are probably simple bristle worms. They aren't anything to overly concerned with, but you can try to trap them and pull them out with tweezers.

 

[oneilwiz]

Thank you guys, still notice my red monti and green monti color looks fading, I do notice under the corals I am not sure if this is just purple Coraline

 

[oneilwiz]

Happy Monday,

I must say I have some good news today! Sunday I did a 15G water Change on the tank. Today I notice my orange Montipora is looking much better. I am not a 100% sure if this does contribute to my Montipora looking better. During the process of water change I also remove sand from the colonies as my wrasse usually cover them. I will continue to update on the progress.

 

[Tahoe61]

Thank you guys, still notice my red monti and green monti color looks fading, I do notice under the corals I am not sure if this is just purple Coraline

I see coralline with a lot of vermatid snails.

 

[Russ265]

im no reef scientist -but im willing to bet nitrate is too low (under 5ppm) for that alk level.

in my tank tips will burn if im near 0 nitrate and alk is above 7.5 for an extended time.


good luck

 

[reeferfoxx]

Thats a lot of vermetide snails I saw in one post. Good indication of over feeding. With the high amount of po4 I would say that is the reason for monti "losing" color or just browning.

 

[oneilwiz]

Thank you guys, I must say corals looks much better after water change