Montipora Capricornis problems

[Justincasha]

Hi, I had this large montipora for the last six months now, all was fine, I regularly dose calcium and kh (fauramarine) to keep these para in check. Now for the past month I didn't dose cause my LFS ran out if them and still waiting for the shipment, ( I didn't want to change brand so I opted to wait)

Now this montipora is seeming to be bleaching, the polyps aren't extended at all (on the pic the brown is very darker than it's actually is)

All para are good ie no3-0, po4-0, temp and salinity etc, but cal and kh definitely are low kh5 and cal 1150. (As I'm not dosing) I know they're very low and it will start dosing from tomorrow, but do you guys think it's the problem? As it's only been a few days from a healthy looking coral to a bleaching one.

This last week I added a magnifica anamone which is close to the monti, but not touching, and an acropora which seems to be doing fine.

The monti can't be re located as it is very large and attached to a big structural live rock in the tank, but I had it there from day one and the lights hasn't been changed either, I run AI Hydra LEDs.

Thanks for your replies
Justin

 

[glaukos]

Hi justin

To be honest i personally have stopped thinking that no3 and po4 being 0 is a good thing.
Kh at 5 could also be the problem.Where is your Ca at?

I friend of mine had an anemone next to a monti and she never created any kind of problems until the day she was big enough to touch it.
After that monti started bleaching where they touched each other.
But since they are still fairly far from each oter i don't think she's the problem atm.

 

[fishguy597]

Kh at 5 is a problem. You can google reef calculator and use regular baking soda to get your alk up till you can get your hands on what you have been using. I also agree with what was said above.

 

[Dapg8gt]

Never stop dosing due to a brand loyalty/convenience.. That's the major set of parameters you need to keep stable at all costs in an sps tank..

Having nitrate at absolute 0 is a fad imo that should not be followed unless you are doing a strict program to feed your corals. That's just my experience though I almost lost all my sps in the 6 months I tried to run the "reccommended" 0 n03/p04 levels. Worst thing I ever did


I would Def start using some diy alk methods ASAP or buy another brand if to your not comfortable and test and supplement your calcium/mag also.

It will be impossible to know what is causing your issues for sure unless all the regular parameters are not met. I am heavily leaning on it being the downward swing alkalinity myself..

 

[mbingha]

Defiantly increase your alk (slowly) and are you sure your cal numbers are right? I don't think it would be possible to have 1150ppm cal without precipitation. That's almost triple what it should be.

 

[ChrisKirkland]

I can tell you fist hand Nitrate and Phosphate at 0 is horrible for color and growth in SPS. My nitrate is at 5PPM and PO4 at .05PPM and I have seen more growth and better color than when it was at 0. My new goal is to keep PO4 at .03PPM and Nitrate at about 1PPM. Going to see how this does.

Every tank is different, for some 5 PPM of nitrate causes no issues, for me it causes nuisance algae.

 

[ChrisKirkland]

ALK needs to be around 7-8 dKH no less than 7, I have seen it go up to 9-10.

 

[Justincasha]

What test kit are you using to be so accurate in no3 and phosphate levels? And what about DIY alkalinity? What shall I use to mix alk. If you can specify amounts pls
Thanks for your help guys

 

[lokii_37]

you can just use bakin gsoda to increase the alk. here is an artical about it. if you do a search for reef dosing calculator it will tell you how much to dose.

 

[Justincasha]

Can you post the link of the article pls

 

[Dapg8gt]

Google/search " randy's 2 part" .. You got to search a little bit =).. Not hard to find its the main one that comes up when you type in that quote.. There's thousands of threads on here about it also..

The research will help you with the process you should learn to get answers faster than asking in a thread in my opinion. Plus the benefit of finding it yourself and all you will read to get there will be beneficial to your experience in keeping your reef . also good to research anything your local fish store tells you to make sure it's legit. I personally find its better to be educated with personal research (since it's so easy with the internet) then when I don't understand something, can't verify it, think it's B. S. or need clarification ask in a thread or start one.

If you want to stick to rc the reef chemistry forum is where you want to be. Read all the stickies.. The search button up top is your friend when you need answers ASAP . just typing in "2 part" will pull up all the info you need to know in a split second.