Green cap losing color

[rhorn67]

I purchased this green cap a few weeks ago. I have noticed that the color on the front left edge is starting to recede back. I have it placed at the back top middle of my tank. I am running a Hydra 26 HD hanging above a JBJ RL30. Would this be a not enough or too much light issue?

calcium 480
alkalinity 10
ph 8.2
mag 1480
salinity 1.025

Thank you in advance.

 

[heathlindner25]

Are you sure it's not "new growth"?

 

[cloak]

or damage done by Nudibranchs?

http://blog.captive-aquatics.com/captive_aquatics/2010/09/a-montipora-eating-nudibranch-primer.html

 

[rhorn67]

I don't believe it's new growth as that would be really fast growth and there is no color to it.

I have not seen any nudibranchs in my tank.

 

[heathlindner25]

New Growth is not all that fast on SPS..... the picture could really help

 

[rhorn67]

Sorry I attached a pic but must have did something wrong. Left front edge was green same as the rest of the coral but has now receded.

 

[nmotz]

Monti-eating nudibranchs is my guess. A couple peppermint shrimp will take care of them for you.

 

[cloak]

Is that even a Montipora? It looks more like a Pachyseris sp. IMO. This might rule out Nudibranchs and you'll have to look elsewhere for the problem.

 

[rhorn67]

Is that even a Montipora? It looks more like a Pachyseris sp. IMO. This might rule out Nudibranchs and you'll have to look elsewhere for the problem.

Well it helps if you have the coral ID correct. When I purchased at lfs I mentioned it did not look like the caps I have seen!

Now that we have the correct species any ideas as to why I am losing color?

 

[heathlindner25]

Almost looks like it's "burned" from leds?

 

[chilli_reef]

To much light.
Move it down and in partial light.

 

[full sinthetik]

Everytime I have cranked my ALK past 9 my monti's lose their color or die entirely.

 

[heathlindner25]

Everytime I have cranked my ALK past 9 my monti's lose their color or die entirely.

Yes, alkalinity swings do make SPS die

 

[rhorn67]

Almost looks like it's "burned" from leds?

I have it place top middle of tank. What PAR would be acceptable? I am reading lighting needs to be high for this coral.

 

[rhorn67]

Yes, alkalinity swings do make SPS die

I use IO Reef Crystals where alk usually runs 10-10.5. I know this is higher than what I usually see for recommended setting but is also in the OK range.

When I prepare water for WC I match temp and salinity then adjust alk/calc if needed after change. Should I be matching prior to WC? Would a small shift in alk after WC be enough to cause issues with this coral?

 

[heathlindner25]

Does your light have Optics... I would try lowering it.

 

[rhorn67]

Does your light have Optics... I would try lowering it.

I'm sorry but I dont understand. What do you mean by optics? re you saying lowering the alk?

 

[heathlindner25]

I had to look up your light wasn't familiar with it, the light appears to have Optics on it.
I would lower your Coral, it wouldn't hurt to lower your alk too, I keep my at 8.5.hth

 

[anthonys51]

that coral looks like its dying.
why it is dying could be a lot of things.

swings in salinity, alk, cal, temp, or the lighting could be to bright, or the flow not right for the coral.

also how old is our tank.

io reef is a very high alk salt, there really is no way you can lower your alk if doing water changes with io reef crystal

but saying that 10 is accpetable for alk, just make sure its stable. so how often are you testing.
also how often are you changing your water and how much do you change at once

 

[rhorn67]

I lowered the coral to midway in my tank. Hopefully this will stop the recession. Maybe time to change to a salt with lower alkalinity as well.