Par level for Montiporas

[SeeFu]

What par level should I aim for on my Monti's? I've got several frags that keep getting more and more brown as time goes on. I'm not sure if I'm just hitting them with to much or to little light.

 

[piranhaman00]

250-350

 

[TexasTodd]

That really depends on which ones. I have some at 500+ and others that do best at around 200 PAR (Bubble Gum Digi is one that colors better at lower end for example).

 

[Bpb]

I see better growth and colors from the couple Montipora palawanensis species I have when kept under lower light in the 150-200 range. As I understand they’re a deeper water sps though. My Ora spongodes can handle as much light and flow as you can throw at it. Grows up at the surface and out of the water, receiving par up over 1000 with a constant direct hit from my gyre xf250’s on 100%. I still have to trim and discard it constantly because it grows so fast. I think it all really depends on the particular species

 

[SeeFu]

i've been keeping mine around 250-300 and they just all seem to brown out and then die. i guess i should try much lower.

 

[TexasTodd]

It probably isn't the light @SeeFu Too much light usually bleach out not brown. Pics and, again, which specific ones?

 

[SeeFu]

i've got like 6-7 montis in my qt that have all kind of declined in health/color. its a 20 gal qt w/ daily water changes of about 1/3 gal from my dt. parameters should be roughly

po4-.07
no3-10
salinity - 1.026
alk - 9.25
cal - 425-450
mag - 1400
temp - 77.9-78.1
ph - 7.7 (i know this is low)

i've got a few JF beach bums, sunset, berry berry rasberry, JF Halo, RR Crazy T, kung pao.

i just moved the berry berry rasberry over to the DT so we'll see if it recovers a bit there. I'm hoping that its just the montis being sensitive to bayer dip, but i haven't read any post where montis were reported as being sensitive to bayer as a dip.

 

[Robinson]

I do have plenty of montiporas, and like a few guys mentioned already 200 - 250 is a sweet spot. Some prefer higher and others lower. Is a trial and error with montis but I never saw one brown out.

 

[TexasTodd]

What lights do you have over your QT? Have you tested the PAR?

Kung Pao can take quite a bit of PAR. IDK where it best colors.

 

[SeeFu]

g4 xr30. i've tested par, they're all around 200-300

 

[TexasTodd]

Man, it doesn't make sense, seems like it should all be fine!

 

[SeeFu]

sometimes i wonder if its hte bayer dip. it seems like anytime i dip in bayer, a week later i lose frags in qt. i'm not doing anything unusual w/ the dip though. 8% solution of bayer to saltwater for 15 min with 3-4 rinses after

 

[nano reef]

Anyone know par for monti caps? I always see them lower in a tank. I have my lights set for lps mode but wondering if I put it higher if it will be enough. I am looking at an expensive grafted one but probably should try first with a cheapie! Sucks because shipping is paid!

 

[bobnicaragua]

Anyone know par for monti caps? I always see them lower in a tank. I have my lights set for lps mode but wondering if I put it higher if it will be enough. I am looking at an expensive grafted one but probably should try first with a cheapie! Sucks because shipping is paid!

Monti caps grow like weeds. People put them low because they shadow corals below them and the top spot is usually reserved for acros.

I don’t know how low you can go with par, but anything over 200 should be fine.

 

[nano reef]

I see! May not work for me then because my par isnt that high but way up top If even at all all! Could i keep them trimmed without looking funny and cut up looking?

 

[bobnicaragua]

I see! May not work for me then because my par isnt that high but way up top If even at all all! Could i keep them trimmed without looking funny and cut up looking?

They tend to break off when you trim. I would just cut off most of the growth and start over. That way they’ll grow back and look natural again.