Today, i noticed that my monti was taking a while longer to open up it's polyps after the lights came on. Later I noticed it still hadn't opened and it had a thin film of what looked to be silky mucus. I know corals produce this, but its inhibiting the polyps from opening up and absorbing the light. What causes this, because it has been fine for months and nothing has really changed. Does this usually occur due to a certain factor? At first i thought flow, so i added another powerhead to break the stuff up. should I continue like this or let it fix itself? But most importantly, why did this happen?

It's usualy the result of irritation. See anything on/around it?

its on a rock with zoo's, that would be the only thing touching it. but the monti is slowly taking them over... would it be best to relocate them or the monti?

I guess it depends on which one is easier to move, and if there are more suitable places for the zoas, or the monti.

I would move the zoos IMO. anything new added? also how is your water quality

it sounds to me like an irritation thing too. what are your parameters ??

Well, it's fine now. I had checked the sg and it was at 1.023, but it's back to 1.025. The other param's are fine, and have been stable for quite some time now.

How well-affixed are each of these? I've had zoos that are harder to move than green star polyps. If they are spreading and in each nook and cranny, you may have to cut the monti. I've never done that, but I have had to move a few prize specimens -essentially frag them and replace... I'd call a friend in my reef club to help/take a look. Do you know anyone who is an old hand in the hobby?

not really, but i know seahorsedreams and saxman are nearby, if they'd like to reach out a helping hand?;)