Green Montipora Digitata trouble

[Tony Romano]

My tank seems to have something Montipora Digitata and in green does not like. A brown one 8 inches away is fine, an acro even closer is coloring up and growing. This is 3d or 4th try, local colony in 1st rate tanks is source. I also historically have trouble with Monity Caps in green. This confuses me, I thought Montipora was an “easy” sps coral.

They seem to do ok for a few weeks or more, then the polyps retract and they seem calcify, turn a crusty white. It is not RTN or STN.

NO3 is high ~ 20ppm

KH is 10.5

pH is low all the time due to CO2 and tight house.

Ca 500 +

Mg 1500 +

Temp is in low 80s

250W 14k on short day due to new reflectors, 5 hours

[bethnjeremy]

bring your KH, Ca, and Mg down to NSW levels. Try might help. Exactly what is your definition of low ph? Are you feeding heavy, how big is your skimmer?

[Tony Romano]

I am working on first.

7.54 low 7.8 high.

Yes I feed corals and Tangs daily, most would call it heavy, the fish don't!

Reeflo Orca 250 - It is a beast.

[returnofsid]

I'd agree that your Ca, Alk and Mg are a little high, but I think the main problem is with your nitrates. They're way high.

[Tony Romano]

NO3 is #1 on my list, working it daily! I think I shocked this coral with water change, it is right where return is. I need to correct a plumbing error to pre-mix new with tank before it gets to sps.