Setosa SOS

sromero287 · Jan 28, 2015

Hello all R2R, bought some sps frags last frag swap and everything doing really good except my setosa, last night saw the Setosa skin was kind of loose and falling off, checked all my parameters and was everything in range, salinity, temperature and ph was in range too. My params:
T: 79-80
Salinity:1,025 (water change every 2 weeks with coral pro from RSM.
Ph: 8,3- 8,1
Ca:460
Alk: 10
Mag: 1,380
Phos: 0.03
Nitrate: .5
Monnia:0
Dosing all the RSM reef care, reef energy and reef colors according to their dosing instructions.
All corals are doing pretty much great, normal growth and colors.

sromero287 · Jan 28, 2015

Unfortunately this morning the whole setosa frag was all bleached just removed but not happy at all!!!!

jduck · Jan 28, 2015

Alk little on high side for having lower nutrients

lionfish5740 · Jan 28, 2015

^^ Agree with this.
My corals react when I have my PO4 and NO3 low like your numbers and the Alk gets above ~8.5.
I raised my NO3 to 3-4ppm and kept my PO4 at 0.4ppm give my tank a little wiggle room if needed but still try to keep my Alk 7.5-8.

Mr. Microscope · Jan 29, 2015

Did you recently leave the setosa exposed to air for a period of time (water change, fragging, mounting, etc.)?
I've observed that the setosa does not form a very good slime coating like other SPS and is a lot more sensitive to air exposure. If I have a piece out of the water too long, it loses some flesh, but will eventually recover. Now, if I'm ever working with it (water change or fragging), I occasionally splash it and it's fine. I doubt this variety of monti lives in tidal zones.

For the most part, the setosa is a tank of a coral and keeps it's color well in a variety of lighting conditions and water parameters. So, I don't think it's due to your alk. The only other time I've seen the setosa fade was due to exposure of H2O2 (though, it eventually recovered from that as well).

sromero287 · Jan 29, 2015

Thanks to all for the comments, suggestions and experience. Unfortunately my beauty Setosa died and will be picking another frag tomorrow but this one will be a branching Setosa, never had this one before but a local friend has a gorgeous colony and will frag for me a piece. Hope this one has and comes with better results!!!!!!!!!"