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Why is my Montipora not growing?
Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2025 4:38 pm
by Nutty
My Montipora hasn't grown in months. Tank's a 40-gallon, running a Kessil A360X, params are 8.2 pH, 1.025 salinity, 0 nitrates. I feed Reef Roids twice a week. What's the deal?
Re: Why is my Montipora not growing?
Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2025 5:58 pm
by avena
Sounds like your lighting might be off. Montis need stable PAR levels. What's your photoperiod? Also, check your alk, it's gotta be steady. Mine tanked growth when alk swung.
Re: Why is my Montipora not growing?
Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2025 7:26 pm
by daveman
avena wrote: ↑Thu Aug 07, 2025 5:58 pm
Sounds like your lighting might be off. Montis need stable PAR levels. What's your photoperiod? Also, check your alk, it's gotta be steady. Mine tanked growth when alk swung.
Yep, alk's a biggie. Mine chilled at 8 dKH, growth picked up. You running a doser?
Re: Why is my Montipora not growing?
Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2025 7:38 pm
by cartoguy
Could be flow too. Montis dig random currents. I run two MP10s on reef crest, they're happy. What's your flow like?
Re: Why is my Montipora not growing?
Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2025 9:06 pm
by inkleaf
Nutty, how old's the tank? New setups can stall growth. Also, any pests? Flatworms or nudis mess with Montis bad.
Re: Why is my Montipora not growing?
Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2025 10:54 pm
by Nutty
Tank's been up a year, no pests spotted. Alk's at 7.5 dKH, photoperiod's 10 hours. Flow's from a Nero 5, random mode. Gonna test PAR tomorrow.
Re: Why is my Montipora not growing?
Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2025 11:19 pm
by ravensong
Nutty wrote: ↑Thu Aug 07, 2025 10:54 pm
Tank's been up a year, no pests spotted. Alk's at 7.5 dKH, photoperiod's 10 hours. Flow's from a Nero 5, random mode. Gonna test PAR tomorrow.
Alk's low, bump it to 8.5 slowly. Also, Reef Roids might not cut it—try adding amino acids.
Re: Why is my Montipora not growing?
Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2025 11:45 pm
by rustier
Mine didn't grow till I switched salts. What brand you using? Some got sketchy trace elements.
Re: Why is my Montipora not growing?
Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2025 12:00 am
by avena
rustier wrote: ↑Thu Aug 07, 2025 11:45 pm
Mine didn't grow till I switched salts. What brand you using? Some got sketchy trace elements.
True. I switched to Red Sea Blue, growth exploded. Also, check your mag levels—Montis hate low mag.
Re: Why is my Montipora not growing?
Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2025 12:12 am
by cartoguy
Y'all sleeping on temp stability. Mine grew faster after I got a better heater. What's your temp swing?