Hello all, I am currently experiencing a problem where a WWC Cherry Tree encrusting monti is having localized bleaching. Spots of it are turning white and those white areas seem to be growing larger. I keep it free of detritus so that isn't the issue here, but I did recently go on vacation (2 weeks ago) and the tank underwent a drop in nutrients to near zero. This supremely angered all of my SPS and irritated the LPS, but most have returned to pre vacation levels. That being said, I have been struggling to raise nitrates above 5 ppm and to make phosphates even detectable on the salifert test. This could probably be attributed to me having only two clownfish in a 40 gallon tank. I feed frozen heavily once a day. To combat this, I have been dosing 8 ml of red sea AB+.
Description of bleaching: Localized white spots that honestly look similar to a nudibranch infestation. Only problem with that is I have looked very hard multiple nights and have never been able to spot pests. Will post pics after work.
Tank params:
No3: 2.5-5ppm
Phosphate: Undetectable on salifert
Alk: 7.5
Cal: 435
Mg: 1450
What also confuses me is my other sps are generally doing ok with my digitata being the happiest it has ever been. It is exhibiting explosive growth. Are some montipora just way more sensitive to change than others?
Description of bleaching: Localized white spots that honestly look similar to a nudibranch infestation. Only problem with that is I have looked very hard multiple nights and have never been able to spot pests. Will post pics after work.
Tank params:
No3: 2.5-5ppm
Phosphate: Undetectable on salifert
Alk: 7.5
Cal: 435
Mg: 1450
What also confuses me is my other sps are generally doing ok with my digitata being the happiest it has ever been. It is exhibiting explosive growth. Are some montipora just way more sensitive to change than others?