monti lossing color
- Thread starter armison89
- Start date
cardiffgiant
Active member
That sounds like an alkalinity swing. I'm about 50/50 for having monti's come back from and some times it takes several months.
Last edited:
cardiffgiant
Active member
High nitrates are definitely a problem for SPS and probably the biggest problem at the moment. You'll want to test calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium regularly if your keeping SPS. I use salifert kits. Most LFS will also test these for you for $1/test.
Capt_Cully
Active member
Orange Montipora capricornis is one of the most tolerant SPS corals you can have IME. Not lecturing because, its your money. But, I would not buy any more SPS until you've invested in test kits for pH, calcium, and alkalinity. You should also think about getting a magnesium kit and be sure you have a refractometer, not one of those unreliable junky swing arm salinity meters.
IME caps can have their color muted by dips in specific gravity, build up of nitrates, or swings in alkalinity, like Cardiff said. The main thing to consider with SPS is stability. If you discover what the problem is, be sure to correct it slowly over time. Tossing an already stressed coral into another tank will create further stress IMO.
Not sure how long your tank has been set up or how stable it is but you need to monitor your parameters regularly. Not owning test kits at all is not a good start if you plan on keeping SPS. Once you get them, consistency and attention to detail will lead to success. Best of luck :thumbsup:
IME caps can have their color muted by dips in specific gravity, build up of nitrates, or swings in alkalinity, like Cardiff said. The main thing to consider with SPS is stability. If you discover what the problem is, be sure to correct it slowly over time. Tossing an already stressed coral into another tank will create further stress IMO.
Not sure how long your tank has been set up or how stable it is but you need to monitor your parameters regularly. Not owning test kits at all is not a good start if you plan on keeping SPS. Once you get them, consistency and attention to detail will lead to success. Best of luck :thumbsup:
Capt_Cully
Active member
OK cool. Then the alk is really one you should pick up.
What salt mix are you using?
What's your water change schedule?
Are you dosing anything?
What salt mix are you using?
What's your water change schedule?
Are you dosing anything?
Jacwil
New member
oneradtek202
Pitcher Hill Reef Society
2.3 dkh!?
armison89
New member
i dont dose anything
i use http://www.instantocean.com/sites/instantocean/products/productdetail.aspx?id=1294&cid=971
i do a 10 gallon water change every weekend
i use http://www.instantocean.com/sites/instantocean/products/productdetail.aspx?id=1294&cid=971
i do a 10 gallon water change every weekend
Henry Colf
New member
You need to bring it up. That's a little low. You want to get it so that the test turns the water in your test tube dark green. Around 2.7-2.8 meq/l. That will put you around 9-9.5 dkh. Make sure to bring it up slowly. If your going to have sps in your tank you'll need to dose ca. and alk. as they grow they will use up whats in your system.
cardiffgiant
Active member
2.3 equals 6.5dKh. A range of 7-10 is considered normal. I'd raise it verrry slowly. Alk isn't something you want to vary quickly, even if you're levels are low.
A lot of people have had luck with Alk levels around the upper range. Personally, I've had problems whenever I've gotten over 9. I keep mine between 7.7-8.0.
A lot of people have had luck with Alk levels around the upper range. Personally, I've had problems whenever I've gotten over 9. I keep mine between 7.7-8.0.
