Is my monti bleaching?

[Drix]

I picked up a orange monti a while ago, and it's color has def. changed, however, I can't tell if it's turned pink, or has bleached.

Placement: 12" deep under 8hrs of LED lighting, supplimental Acintic and Rose t5's for color.

Pictars:
Now: Taken with no tank lights, flash only

Day of purchase: Taken with LED's only.

 

[SPSEMPIRE]

Defiantly isn't looking good. Do you have any other montipora caps in your tank?

 

[Drix]

no just the 1 monti. I've got one other sps which seems to be doing fine, my trumpets are all splitting so I assume they're fine, zoas and softies doing great. Lemme see if I can get another pic with the lights on.

This is the closest approximation I can get for color. It's irl a flourescant cotton candy pink, my cameras doing horrible things to the color.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Hmm. What are your water parameters?

 

[Drix]

I'm a bit salty right now (broke my hydrometer thismorning) but I am due for a topoff. Gotta run downstairs and pour in a minute or two.

I keep my temp at about 79-80, 0 ammonia, need phosphate/nitrate test packets I ran out last month and I only test monthly. 0 copper PH is 8.2.

I keep my LED pendants on for 8hrs/day and the monti sits prolly 16" underwater.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

What about the big 3? Alkalinity, calcium and magnesium?

 

[Drix]

Not sure off the top of my head, I'll have to test, I usually do it on mondays. But I think we're slightly off subject, I was hoping to figure out if there was a color change or it had bleached. I'm guessing peeps are leaning towards bleach?

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

it's really hard to tell from the picture but keep in mind that corals may look totally different under different lighting. if your alkalinity is within range I would look at phosphates as being something to factor in, those have a tendency of keeping the corals from coloring up.

 

[Drix]

I'll see if I can get out and get some testkits tomorrow. THank you for your help, look for updates I guess

 

[chuckreef]

what is a "a while ago"?
What was your QT routine and lighting in the QT?
What was your introduction and move up routine to get to "12" deep" (I am assuming that is 12" below the water's surface?

 

[Drix]

what is a "a while ago"?
What was your QT routine and lighting in the QT?
What was your introduction and move up routine to get to "12" deep" (I am assuming that is 12" below the water's surface?

I purchased this monti on 11/07/10, at the time I did not have a QT setup so "qt" consisted of drip acclimation and a good magnifing glass looking for hitch-hikers, I noticed nothing.

I hate to admit it but I placed the monti in its current position to which it now sits which upon mesaurement is 16" deep, as far down as I could get it due to size (this monti is larger than my opened hand) I have never moved it up or down from it's origonal resting position.

I got fresh testkits, though my LFS was out of some I could get the following readings (in ppm):

KH: 180
PH 8.2
No2:0
No3:20
PO4:0