Problem with montipora capricornis

[jeffrey_ropp]

Any idea what's wrong with these two montipora capricornis?

I've got them in my 55 under 4 x55W T5s. I've checked my phosphate levels (not measurable). Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

 

[sfexplicit]

Have you checked for DREADED montipora eating nudibranch? Are all your water parameters in line?

 

[trentdingo]

from the picture it looks like you are not getting faster growth on the tips as compared to the tissue... this is usually from too low of flow but may be a larger parameter issue

 

[graveyardworm]

Montipora nudi's usually start at the edge and work their way in.

How long have you had it? How long has it been in its current placement? How high is it? Have you recently made any changes to the lights?

 

[jeffrey_ropp]

I believe all my other water params are in-line.
I'll check Ca, Alk, Nitrate, Nitrite, Ammonia, and pH tonight to be sure. Anything else I should test?

I've had the piece for several months. You can see the original outline where it healed (the new growth looks like it spilled over) - so it hasn't grown much. IN the middle the color has become increasing muted.

I'm wondering about flow too as the neighbor cap (purple) also has deteriorated in the middle. I have 2 Nanostream 6025s at the sides of the tank to supplement my primary return.

As for placement, its at the top of my rockwork, so its halfway up to the water line.

Thanks again for your help!

 

[Amphiprion]

That amount of water motion isn't very much for that tank size. Consider adding more, especially directed in the vicinity of the ailing corals. It can make a dramatic difference.

 

[jeffrey_ropp]

Thanks for the thoughts, Amphiprion. Would you recommend modifying the 6025s as you have? Any specific suggestions on which mod?

Thanks again,
Jeff

 

[Henry Bowman]

Alk swings will do that to a Monti.

 

[redfishsc]

What phosphate test kit are you using?

I had a very similar issue a long time ago and, in the pursuit of finding what was killing EVERY monti specie in my tank, I found several small issues. None of them fixed the matter but it was nice to have the small things worked out.

In the end I never figured out why they suddenly sprang back to life, but now I have monti heaven in my tank.

I suspect it was either alk swings, or the addition of large amounts of vitamin C that I had been (and still) dose.


Here's my thread, you may find it helpful.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1688887

 

[jeffrey_ropp]

redfishsc - I'm using a brand new Salifert test kit to check for Phosphate. I really appreciate the link to your thread and will give it a read.

 

[Amphiprion]

Thanks for the thoughts, Amphiprion. Would you recommend modifying the 6025s as you have? Any specific suggestions on which mod?

Thanks again,
Jeff

Hi. Actually, I would cut out the little cylinder on the inside, as well as doing the "super flow" mod by cutting vents on the underside of the volute. In your case, I don't think you would benefit much from the wide flow mod, so just those two. That's a step in the right direction, at least. How many other similar corals do you have? You may want to add another nanostream or 2 depending upon what corals predominate.