Brown Monti ?

[James983]

I have a Blue Polyp Digi Monti that I just cannot get to color up. It is at the top of my tank under 14, 39 watt T-5 bulb fixture. My Acros and encrusting Montis look good, but this piece stays brown, shows good PE and grows well.

Nitrates: 0
Mg: 1400
Cal: 500
Alk: 8.5 dkh
Ammonia: 0
PO4: .03 measured with a low level meter

Any ideas?

 

[M007]

Pic? Some blue polyp montis look great when they arrive at the LFS but fade to brown and never come back.

 

[James983]

I will take a pic. tomorrow, but it just looks like a brown digi. I actually got it from another reefer who was breaking down his tank several months ago. It was brown then and still brown.

 

[dunk373]

if its big enough frag it and the frag should gain its color, i have a purple digi and it turned brown i moved it all over led spotlight helped a little but not even close, a piece broke off and i glued it to a rock which fell behind the rockwork (very litle light) and i later found it and it was purple. so i moved it up and it is so purple i can't believe it. i then fragged it 5 more times and one is the same the others are purple and getting brighter. its worth a shot

 

[dunk373]

oh and even though it was brown growth was very fast it tripled size in a year

 

[daveonbass]

If you have a ulns system then you may need more nutrients. Barring that, I'd say move it to lower light and see what happens. Also just give more time, who knows?

 

[James983]

Dunk, thanks I'm gonna frag it and see what happens.

Dave, when I frag it I will put one high and one low.