Why is my montipora so pale?(pic)

plancton · 02/15/2009, 05:54 PM

Every other coral in my tank keeps nice coloration, I use T5s with individual parabolic reflectors, I keep a crocea clam growing a lot in the bottom of the tank, this monti cap is in the middle of the tank, it was green when I bought it and it has turned creamy.

Even though its pale it grows fast.
I also keep an orange one and it stays orange. I had a major algae problem but the water quality is fine nitrates 0, phos 0 alk10, calc 500 mg/l. Mag 1600 mg/l.

Toddrtrex · 02/15/2009, 06:54 PM

What lights was it under when you bought it? Did you acclimate it to your lights?

And it looks like you have some algae growing on your rocks, so even though your tests show 0, there are excess nutrients in the tank.

Jflip2002 · 02/15/2009, 06:57 PM

Yeah, phosphates look to be more than 0. Also try moving it lower in the tank, maybe.

plancton · 02/15/2009, 07:54 PM

It was in a MH tank when I bought it, well MH+T5 tank, but IÂ´ve had it for almost 2 years, I mean it should have adapted by now donÂ´t you think?.

Jflip2002 · 02/15/2009, 08:47 PM

Yeah, well then that might not be the problem. Maybe try a different Phosphate test kit.

Toddrtrex · 02/15/2009, 08:48 PM

What is your salinity and temp. And are you using RO/DI water, and if so, what is the TDS.

Vicjardinii · 03/27/2016, 08:42 AM

Im having the same problem with the same monti, but mine isnt growing as fast. Did you find the problem?

Dkuhlmann · 03/27/2016, 09:03 AM

Are you aware that this is a 7 year old thread?

Reef Frog · 03/27/2016, 01:04 PM

Old thread yes but still relevant today.

To me, this bleaching monti exhibits the classic signs of high(er) alkalinity combined with very low nutrients and possibly high light. I've become a big believer in lower ALK levels (8.5 dKH or so), stable parameters, some reasonable nutrients levels & some food for best health & coloration). I've also seen stuff bleach or loose color when magnesium levels drift too low. I've also found that a small shot of amino acids can help a little, sometimes, with coloration in low nutrient systems.

HefeWeizen · 03/27/2016, 01:48 PM

The algae is consuming the PO4 and nitrates. My guess is that the monti is being affected by the excess nutrients. Get the algae under control and the color will probably come back.

02/15/2009, 05:54 PM	#1
plancton Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mexico Posts: 1,866	Why is my montipora so pale?(pic) Every other coral in my tank keeps nice coloration, I use T5s with individual parabolic reflectors, I keep a crocea clam growing a lot in the bottom of the tank, this monti cap is in the middle of the tank, it was green when I bought it and it has turned creamy. Even though its pale it grows fast. I also keep an orange one and it stays orange. I had a major algae problem but the water quality is fine nitrates 0, phos 0 alk10, calc 500 mg/l. Mag 1600 mg/l.

02/15/2009, 06:54 PM	#2
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	What lights was it under when you bought it? Did you acclimate it to your lights? And it looks like you have some algae growing on your rocks, so even though your tests show 0, there are excess nutrients in the tank. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

02/15/2009, 06:57 PM	#3
Jflip2002 Eagles & Tigers Fan Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,543	Yeah, phosphates look to be more than 0. Also try moving it lower in the tank, maybe. __________________ I hate cheap powerheads. Current Tank Info: 40g Breeder

02/15/2009, 07:54 PM	#4
plancton Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mexico Posts: 1,866	It was in a MH tank when I bought it, well MH+T5 tank, but IÂ´ve had it for almost 2 years, I mean it should have adapted by now donÂ´t you think?. __________________ Hansel, he´s so hot right now...

02/15/2009, 08:47 PM	#5
Jflip2002 Eagles & Tigers Fan Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,543	Yeah, well then that might not be the problem. Maybe try a different Phosphate test kit. __________________ I hate cheap powerheads. Current Tank Info: 40g Breeder

02/15/2009, 08:48 PM	#6
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	What is your salinity and temp. And are you using RO/DI water, and if so, what is the TDS. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

03/27/2016, 08:42 AM	#7
Vicjardinii Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Cancun Posts: 4	Im having the same problem with the same monti, but mine isnt growing as fast. Did you find the problem? __________________ Saltwater gardens

03/27/2016, 09:03 AM	#8
Dkuhlmann Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,823	Are you aware that this is a 7 year old thread? __________________ Previous tanks: 200 gal fowlr 9" Emperor Angel and many different butterfly fish 4" maroon clown and several other fish, 50 gal sump, 40 gal mixed reef/fish mostly softies and LPS. Current Tank Info: 40b 750 gph 45 lbs lr, 2"-3" sand, 165w full spectrum dimable LED, 20 gal sump/refugium 30 lbs lr, Bak Pak 2 skimmer, 4" sock temp 79-80, sg 1.026, NH3 0, NO2 0, NO3 <10, ph 8.2, calc 400, mag 1300

03/27/2016, 01:04 PM	#9
Reef Frog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,121	Old thread yes but still relevant today. To me, this bleaching monti exhibits the classic signs of high(er) alkalinity combined with very low nutrients and possibly high light. I've become a big believer in lower ALK levels (8.5 dKH or so), stable parameters, some reasonable nutrients levels & some food for best health & coloration). I've also seen stuff bleach or loose color when magnesium levels drift too low. I've also found that a small shot of amino acids can help a little, sometimes, with coloration in low nutrient systems.

03/27/2016, 01:48 PM	#10
HefeWeizen Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 182	The algae is consuming the PO4 and nitrates. My guess is that the monti is being affected by the excess nutrients. Get the algae under control and the color will probably come back. __________________ Dan