Monti Help.

[t.priscu]

Hrmm alright so i want to fix this before i lose a monti.
I picked up a Purple cap about 2 weeks ago.

Heres how he looked on day 1

<a href="http://s72.photobucket.com/albums/i186/tpriscu/fish%20tank/?action=view&current=0213012125.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i186/tpriscu/fish%20tank/0213012125.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

The color was much darker than when i took a picture of it yesterday.
Notice how it looks much lighter, and im starting to get algae growth on the rims.
(this picture you will see some of the monti frags i picked up at the frag swap. Im wanting to build a Monti Mountain =) )

<a href="http://s72.photobucket.com/albums/i186/tpriscu/fish%20tank/?action=view&current=0220012311a.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i186/tpriscu/fish%20tank/0220012311a.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


Temp 78
Salinity .025
Alk 8 (working on getting to 10)
Calc 470
phosphates 0.09
nitrates 20-30 =(

It was suggest to me that maybe its starving? Maybe i should start feeding phyto?

 

[jtrasap]

Didn't look real healthy on day one so if somethings off in your tank it will just continue on it's way out. Monti cap is pretty sturdy as far as sps goes but if it looks rough to start, it's not going to recover unless all your params are in check. What are your water parameters.

 

[t.priscu]

Temp 78
Salinity .025
Alk 8 (working on getting to 10)
Calc 470
phosphates 0.09
nitrates 20-30 =(


I'm not sure if the nitrates would do this?

 

[jtrasap]

.09 is at the upper end of acceptable as far as phosphates go and high nitrates tend to cause sps to brown. 20-30 isn't horribly high for nitrates but zero would be a whole lot better, especially considering that your trying to nurse back an already deteriorated Monti.

 

[smoothdog]

I would consider anything over 20 high for nitrate with sps. Nitrate and phosphate really need to be lowered before adding anything else or your setting yourself up for failure. Have you tested for magnesium too? If mag is low then the calcium will not be bio-available.

 

[t.priscu]

I dont have a Mag test @ home but i took it to SS and they tested and said it was fine.
I'll have to add that to my long list of test kits =P


So to hopefully save the monti my main course of action would be a water change at this point correct?

 

[smoothdog]

Yep, water changes to start then figure out the source of the high nutrients. Overfeeding, poor skimmer production and livestock die off (including coral) are likely culprits.

 

[Tiny7]

Sorry to hijack the thread but would just so-so lights make a monti turn white and die off?

 

[smoothdog]

Possibly, along with many other things. Define so-so lights. I see you have a 4 bulb t5 listed for your 55g tank, if this is a prebuilt fixture I would assume that they are 54W bulbs and that should be plenty of light over a standard 55, especially if the cap is up high. Does it have individual reflectors, are the bulbs old? What are your tank parameters? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Tiny7]

It's the monti frag I got from your sump, the zoo's I got from you are doing great but the monti died off. 12k ati bulbs 2 day, 2 act, 1 reflector per 2 bulbs. I don't know my parameters off the top of my head. I had my water tested last weekend and it was doing good. I don't think the water is to blame. I believe it's the lights.

 

[chadfarmer]

magnesium?

 

[smoothdog]

I don't think it's your light. There is a piece of that cap in my sump still alive (although a little bleached) and that is under a single 65w pc with a salt splattered, calcium deposit covered shield. Do yourself a favor and get your own test kits. It's nice that the stores do it, but I wouldn't trust them completely with the health of my tank. If you want to keep sps, you should have nitrate, calcium, alk and mag tests at a minimum.

It's the monti frag I got from your sump, the zoo's I got from you are doing great but the monti died off. 12k ati bulbs 2 day, 2 act, 1 reflector per 2 bulbs. I don't know my parameters off the top of my head. I had my water tested last weekend and it was doing good. I don't think the water is to blame. I believe it's the lights.

 

[jtrasap]

I dont have a Mag test @ home but i took it to SS and they tested and said it was fine.
I'll have to add that to my long list of test kits =P


So to hopefully save the monti my main course of action would be a water change at this point correct?

Might want to check the TDS of your RO/DI water(assuming you have an RO/DI unit) as well. That's another common source of nitrate and phosphate problems.

 

[t.priscu]

Might want to check the TDS of your RO/DI water(assuming you have an RO/DI unit) as well. That's another common source of nitrate and phosphate problems.

Yes i am using RO/DI water and thats a good idea, It's been probably 5 months since i last checked it, but it was a new unit at the time. How long do those filters normally last?

 

[t.priscu]

Do yourself a favor and get your own test kits. It's nice that the stores do it, but I wouldn't trust them completely with the health of my tank. If you want to keep sps, you should have nitrate, calcium, alk and mag tests at a minimum.

Good call, I have all but the Mag which i'll order today.

 

[Tiny7]

Can someone post a link to a good water test kit please....

 

[smoothdog]

I've been pretty happy with the SeaChem kit:

http://www.marinedepot.com/Seachem_...water_Aquariums-Seachem-SC4119-FITKMK-vi.html

A lot of people like the Salifert kits too:

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_viewi..._campaign=mdcsegooglebase2&utm_content=SF1125

 

[t.priscu]

I guess another question.
Are my lights strong enough to support SPS or do i need to invest the tax money in a new fixture.

What i have.
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.c...03csegb&ref=3312&subref=AA&CAWELAID=529171511

or if the link doesnt work.

72" 468 watts 6-39 watt 10,000°K
6-39 watt 460 nm actinic

next point.
If the fixture isn't strong enough, i have an extra light fixture which has 2 150 Halide bulbs, can i supplement whats lacking with my current fixture and put these 150's on the tank to help? If yes, what kind of bulbs do i need?


OR lets say that my current light + 2 150 halides isnt enough.
Would i want to invent in a newer T5 system such as
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...nPower_T5_High-Output_Fixture_w!_Bulbs_by_ATI

Or would i want to do a MH setup? (i hear you get crazy evaporation and will need a chiller for this)


Thanks guys i really appreciate all the help/info.

 

[brandonb8]

Might want to check the TDS of your RO/DI water(assuming you have an RO/DI unit) as well. That's another common source of nitrate and phosphate problems.

There are very few water companies that add phosphate to water. Also nitrate do not come from bad filters.


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[Aqua Man 07]

mh lights will be the strongest light sorce. it all depends on where your tank is setup as to how much water will evap.your light should be good but you may need different bulbs