Dead Monty

[exnisstech]

this is all great information and I appreciate the responses. But am I questioning about eight months in tank maturity, it's a 52 gallon system do I have more maturing potential out of my tank system or is it now just a matter of management? I try to do 20% water change weekly

It never stops maturing / changing IMO. I don't think there is a actual number of months that determines a tanks maturity. Things get more stable (hopefully) over time so it can make running the tank easier as it matures but it's a never ending evolution of things. Now would be a good time to start your testing regiment to determine if you need to start dosing or if water changes are enough. I would start weekly testing of NO3, PO4, and alk. I would also test calcium to see where your at. I don't test it every week but you do want to keep an eye on it. These are just suggestions that have helped me along the way.

 

[4roaming]

In my experience many montipora can be a bit more sensitive and quicker to bleach than a lot of my hardier acropora. I have lost a few from low nutrients but they looked great with considerably higher levels than you posted.

I would recommend double checking your parameters with different test kits. I have found my Hanna alk checker reads a full 1 dkh higher than my Salifert. It doesn’t really mater enough to me which is correct I just aim for the middle and keep it at 9 with the Hanna and 8 with the Salifert.

Salinity is another one that’s easy to be off on. I recommend picking up the Tropic Marine high precision hydrometer to double check your refractometer readings. I was running a bit high using calibration solutions.

Also maybe you’re low on a trace element. I had pretty good success with adding some All-for-Reef into my dosing regime. I still dose standard two part along with magnesium but I worked in the All-for-Reef to add a bit of trace elements and my tanks really doing nicely.

Try a real hardy sps like purple “Milka” stylophora
Green Bali slimmer acropora, Hawkin’s A. echinata or orange M. digitata.

 

[Ballyhoo]

In my experience many montipora can be a bit more sensitive and quicker to bleach than a lot of my hardier acropora. I have lost a few from low nutrients but they looked great with considerably higher levels than you posted.

I would recommend double checking your parameters with different test kits. I have found my Hanna alk checker reads a full 1 dkh higher than my Salifert. It doesn’t really mater enough to me which is correct I just aim for the middle and keep it at 9 with the Hanna and 8 with the Salifert.

Salinity is another one that’s easy to be off on. I recommend picking up the Tropic Marine high precision hydrometer to double check your refractometer readings. I was running a bit high using calibration solutions.

Also maybe you’re low on a trace element. I had pretty good success with adding some All-for-Reef into my dosing regime. I still dose standard two part along with magnesium but I worked in the All-for-Reef to add a bit of trace elements and my tanks really doing nicely.

Try a real hardy sps like purple “Milka” stylophora
Green Bali slimmer acropora, Hawkin’s A. echinata or orange M. digitata.

thanks I would just like to restate my test results because everyone them. I don't know if my calcium is too high at 480?

Temp bw 78 to 80F ( goes down a degree or two at since it's winter and I don't turn the thermostat high at my home at night.)

sal 1.26
P03 .08
N02 undetectable.
N03 about 20
PH 8
CA 470