What would cause a red monti to lose colour?

[Kial]

Hey

I added a sunburst monti to the tank a couple of weeks ago. Since adding its been losing its colour.

Its under a AI hydra 32hd

All other corals doing great but just cant figure out the monti. As you can see from the photos below its not looking great

Would this be a lighting issue?

 

[ReefStable]

Looks like it's dying. Specifically looks like STN.
Usually this comes from instable or too high/low alk/pH, too low of light (not much of a problem for Montipora), or flow problems.

Another possibility is a pest like Monti eating Nudibranch.

Without knowing the parameters over time with something like a trident, and knowing the flow and such, it is a bit tough to suggest anything specific.

Hopefully these give you some things to look into though.

 

[Kial]

I think i can count out lack of light, as its pretty high in the tank right under a hydra 32.

Im doing fortnightly water changes, using aquaforest salt. Not currently dosing anything.

I do need to get some more test kits for alk etc. With the other corals seeming fine im swaying towards maybe a pest. Definitely cant see any though

 

[gbroadbridge]

I think i can count out lack of light, as its pretty high in the tank right under a hydra 32.

Im doing fortnightly water changes, using aquaforest salt. Not currently dosing anything.

I do need to get some more test kits for alk etc. With the other corals seeming fine im swaying towards maybe a pest. Definitely cant see any though

You need to post your water parameters.

Salinity, Alkalinity, Phosphate and Nitrate are the first that come to mind.

Any of those being incorrect could cause coral stress and death.

 

[Fishy888]

How intense are your lights? It’s too easy to blast them with too much light. I’d move it to the bottom of the tank and see if improved. It should show signs of healing within a week if the problem is indeed too much light.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hey

I added a sunburst monti to the tank a couple of weeks ago. Since adding its been losing its colour.

Its under a AI hydra 32hd

All other corals doing great but just cant figure out the monti. As you can see from the photos below its not looking great

Would this be a lighting issue?

causes:
- Alkalinity spike
- Temperature spike
- Salinity spike
- Low dissolved oxygen
- Poor water quality related with phosphate levels up to 5 ppm
- Change in water flow
- Additions of sand
- Changes in brand of salt
- Bad test kits giving faulty results

My suspect- Either a change in light or water flow

 

[DanyL]

Too much light in combination with too low nutrients, Alk fluctuations or Ca too low are usually what can make a monti to loose it’s colors, and then eventually STN.

I would start by moving it to a lower PAR area and start testing your water.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

What par is it in? Give it lots of light and flow. I put mine a few inches under MH lights without acclimation. Red monti is a weed, I do my best to kill it but it won't die (make sure you really want this coral before adding it to your tank). Give it more light, not less.

Change of alk will also bother red monti cap, but thats a faster detioration. Slow deterioration over several weeks is because of low par IMO.

 

[Kial]

Not too sure on the par, but the hydra is on about 60% at peak in a waterbox peninsula mini 25. Monti at just over mid tank directly under the light.

I feel i may have put it higher up too soon without acclimating, and it actually reminds be that the store i got it from, it was placed in the corner of their frag tank.

Still need to get hold of a few more test kits before i know the exact params. But from what i do have:

Salinity 1.025
Nitrate around 5-10 (hard to tell)
Phos 0.03 but again its so hard to tell when the colours are basically see through