Montipora capricornis color fading

[mohazi]

My Montipora capricornis has been losing color over the past two weeks. Parameters are stable, 78F, 1.025 salinity, 8.2 pH, 0 nitrates, 0 phosphates. Running Radion XR15s at 60% for 8 hours. Any ideas what's up?

[koral]

Sounds like it might be light stress. Montis can bleach if the intensity is too high, even if params are perfect. Try reducing the Radions to 50% for a week and see if it improves. Also, what's your alk sitting at? If it's swinging, that could mess with them too.

[mr_crist]

I've got the same issue with mine. Gonna try cutting the lights like koral said. What salt mix are you using?

[hazer]

Sounds like it might be light stress. Montis can bleach if the intensity is too high, even if params are perfect. Try reducing the Radions to 50% for a week and see if it improves. Also, what's your alk sitting at? If it's swinging, that could mess with them too.

Yep, alk swings are sketchy. Mine bounced back after I dialed in the dosing.

[dawnreader]

My tank's been running for six months, and I've noticed my Montipora fading too. Running AI Primes at 70%, maybe that's too much?

[mohazi]

Thanks for the tips. Alk's been steady at 8.5 dKH, but I'll drop the light intensity and monitor. Using Red Sea Coral Pro salt, btw.

[koral]

Thanks for the tips. Alk's been steady at 8.5 dKH, but I'll drop the light intensity and monitor. Using Red Sea Coral Pro salt, btw.

Red Sea's solid, so that's not the issue. Keep an eye on magnesium too, low mag can make colors pop less. Aim for 1350–1400 ppm.

[mr_crist]

Gotcha. I'm using Instant Ocean, might switch to Red Sea if this keeps up. How often do you dose mag?

[hazer]

I dose mag weekly, but my tank's smaller, 40 gallons. Bigger systems might need it more often. Test kits are your best friend here.

[dawnreader]

I'll check my mag levels tomorrow. Never thought about that being a factor. Appreciate the advice.