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Montipora capricornis color fading
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 8:47 am
by 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?
Re: Montipora capricornis color fading
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 9:47 am
by 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.
Re: Montipora capricornis color fading
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 6:40 pm
by mr_crist
I've got the same issue with mine. Gonna try cutting the lights like koral said. What salt mix are you using?
Re: Montipora capricornis color fading
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 7:47 pm
by hazer
koral wrote: ↑Sat Jun 07, 2025 9:47 am
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.
Re: Montipora capricornis color fading
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 8:16 pm
by 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?
Re: Montipora capricornis color fading
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 8:44 pm
by 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.
Re: Montipora capricornis color fading
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 10:19 pm
by koral
mohazi wrote: ↑Sat Jun 07, 2025 8:44 pm
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.
Re: Montipora capricornis color fading
Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2025 5:26 am
by mr_crist
Gotcha. I'm using Instant Ocean, might switch to Red Sea if this keeps up. How often do you dose mag?
Re: Montipora capricornis color fading
Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2025 6:06 am
by 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.
Re: Montipora capricornis color fading
Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2025 7:19 am
by dawnreader
I'll check my mag levels tomorrow. Never thought about that being a factor. Appreciate the advice.