Concerned About Monti Setosa

[RDuhb]

I've had my setosa for about 6 weeks and it hasn't grown and now it's turning brown. It's mounted mid-height under LEDs that are 10 inches above the tank. LED intensity 65% RB, 65% UV, and 25% NW. Water parameters below.

75gallon tank with sump and skimmer
ammonia - 0
nitrite - 0
nitrate - 5
phosphate - 0 (using API kit)
Alk - 9.0
Ca - 425
Mag - 1460

I'm running both carbon and GFO. 10% water changes every other week.
The pic is not a true reflection of the color, but it gives you an idea of the size and shape. Anyone have any feedback?

 

[benjc]

My sentosa is a relatively slow grower. Not sure about the color change. I used to have an API phosphate test but the resolution was too low to be of any use on a reef tank; are you getting a lit of algae growth?

 

[RDuhb]

My sentosa is a relatively slow grower. Not sure about the color change. I used to have an API phosphate test but the resolution was too low to be of any use on a reef tank; are you getting a lit of algae growth?

No algae problems. I heard they can be a slow grower, but the color change worries me.

 

[64Ivy]

Could be anything from still adjusting to your particular water parameters to light shock. Nevertheless, these guys are very very hardy so unless it's being stung or munched upon, I'd leave it alone. Brown is okay, means it's still alive. White is when you worry.

 

[trueblackpercula]

I have setosa and it's really low in the tank and I have LEDs. It looks more like you have a nutrient problem more then anything. Can you provided a full tank shot?

 

[RDuhb]

I have setosa and it's really low in the tank and I have LEDs. It looks more like you have a nutrient problem more then anything. Can you provided a full tank shot?

Wish I could figure this one out. All of the parameters appear to be in order. Maybe it's the lighting. My LED is a DIY build with 24 royal blue, 12 neutral white, 6 UV's, and a couple of reds and greens. 80 degree optics. The kit is from RapidLED. I'll post a pic of tank tomorrow when the lights are back on.

 

[lobsterotomy]

Are there visible polyps? From your picture looks like there's exposed skeleton underneath - in which case it's probably already dead or mostly dead.

 

[RDuhb]

Are there visible polyps? From your picture looks like there's exposed skeleton underneath - in which case it's probably already dead or mostly dead.

I misspoke in my first post. It actually encrusted a bit on the rock below. So there has been a SMALL bit of growth. What you see is the rock it's mounted to and hardened superglue.

I've NEVER seen any polys extending. That bothers me too along with the color loss. It was a nice burnt orange when I bought it.

 

[lobsterotomy]

Zooming in on e the pics, you can see how it's just skeleton now - sorry bud, but I think it's dead. You can see the pits where the polyps used to be.

I've had a setosa go through hell where 90% of the other SPS in the tank died - and it lost a little colour but it always stayed orange of some sort. If it's very unhealthy and retracted, it should still look like there's a skin over the coral - yours looks very much rough and not at all alive

 

[ThreeMoneyJ]

Mine has been a terribly slow grower.

 

[RDuhb]

Zooming in on e the pics, you can see how it's just skeleton now - sorry bud, but I think it's dead. You can see the pits where the polyps used to be.

I've had a setosa go through hell where 90% of the other SPS in the tank died - and it lost a little colour but it always stayed orange of some sort. If it's very unhealthy and retracted, it should still look like there's a skin over the coral - yours looks very much rough and not at all alive

If that's the case then I bought an orange skeleton. Because again, it looks pretty much the same with the exception of the color. I'll let it ride for awhile and see what happens. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[lobsterotomy]

Actually looking at the picture again (while closing tabs), it looks like a shaded part (in the foreground) of the pic looks healthy - I think I can even see polyps. But everywhere else it seems to look like bre skeleton. Is the coral directly under the lights? I have found setosa to like mid to low light (I have an 10" wide colony at the bottom of my tank) , and it doesn't fare well with going into bright light and will recede very quickly.

I would try lowering it to a lower light area. Hopefully it pulls through for you - it's one of my favourite SPS

 

[nathenvan]

I have found that Setosa is very sensitive to Alkalinity changes. mine turns similar to that when my Alk swings.

 

[Yani1133]

I would say def lower it. Mine wld turn whitetish like yours when i moved it up but a nice orange when kept lower. They grow well once they settle i, atleast mine has. Also UV at 65% sounds awfully high what kind of leds do you have, that could be burning him.

 

[RDuhb]

I would say def lower it. Mine wld turn whitetish like yours when i moved it up but a nice orange when kept lower. They grow well once they settle i, atleast mine has. Also UV at 65% sounds awfully high what kind of leds do you have, that could be burning him.

I'll make sure I lower it today. The UV is a 410-420nm. What intensity do you recommend?

 

[mayjong]

it's sunburnt (bleached). lower the frag or the lighting

 

[andyman]

I know this is an old thread but my setosa's are growing like weed. Unfortunetly the setosas do like less light. PAR at the setosas are in the 100's and I have NO UV.

 

[kevin_e]

What color was it before? SPS typically brown before coloring.

 

[DiscusHeckel]

I keep my setosa under 250 mmol PAR and its growth is very good. It is also subjected to vigorous indirect water flow.

Here are some photos from my tank thread showing its growth rate.

In your case, I would personally lower the UV exposure down. A lot of led owner who use UV leds end up stripping their sps corals due to high UV exposure.