Green Monti cap bald spots

Papitto

PatrickF
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Hi,

I have a growing monti cap thats been growning since a frag of 5cm to now 15cm. I noticed a bald spot appear a week ago, but now theres a few.
What could be the reason?
Only changes i made recently was change salt to blue treasure and added carbon/phosguard reactor in the last 3 weeks.

pic not so clear, taken with my phone.

IMG_20150523_163655.jpg
 
Is it not bits of sand lying on top of the monti?
459b has a point...ive seen my blennies sometimes drop little bits of gravel...some monti dont like that....and i have had one or two that then dies on those spots....make sure it has good flow over it...the spots heal... other things to check for...nudis...

The other more concerning thing for me would be.. why is the cap not green? What are your nutrient levels at? What l8ghts are you running....green IMO is the easiets one to keep happy and colorfull....
 
Using my Blackberry to take pic, it is very green.
Thats weird..cause the bits of algae is vibrant green as well as a polyp of what looks like a paly on te side....but i know cell phones do struggle to capture color..
 
@Papitto there are a few things to check for and possible reasons. let me explain.

1) Adding GAC. Gac adsorbs Iodine at an alarming rate. The lack of iodine causes the edges of the coral to start to dye off. If one is running GAC then it is recommended to monitor and top up the iodine level periodically where necessary. GAC also removes trace elements like strontium, potassium etc. So those should also be tested and dosed. Considering that one should not dose anything that one cannot test/measure because you could be overdosing. The running of GAC 24/7 is NOT considered a good idea if you are not dosing for the elements that the GAC is removing.

2) Issues with PO4 removers.
a) Corals require a certain amount of nutrients to survive. If your NO3 and PO4 have reduced to 0 then it is possible that the corals can starve.
b) Corals can go into shock if nutrients are reduced to quickly. The zoox levels inside the coral might be more than the coral needs causing the coral to go into shock. I take it that you added the GAC/GFO reactors because you had PO4 issues. What was your PO4 before you added the reactor and what is it now?
c) It is common for the pH to drop on adding GFO. This can cause precipitation of calcium and a drop in KH. Check those parameters.
d) KH levels may drop due to all the other corals calcifying faster due to lower PO4

IMO If it is not a monti nudi causing the issue then the above is the direction i would check out as a possible cause.
 
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Hi, also had a similar problems with my Monti’s not so long ago. Had me baffled, tried dipping them and all looked at all the things suggested in this thread.

The one thing I never checked with any regularity in my tank was PH.

Found my calcium reactor was dripping a bit fast and was pushing my PH down to about 7.7.

Nearly lost all my Monti’s, thought they were goners, pushed the ph up with Kalk in my top up water and my Monti’s returned from the brink of death.

Also developed a ulcers on my pin cushion – all got better within a week or two of sorting my PH.

Hope you come right. Nothing worse than watching your coral decline and not knowing what the problem is.
 
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