What should I put here?

rja · Dec 9, 2023

Hey all,
It’s reef season in the midwest and I have been letting the tank do its thing all summer. It’s been maturing beautifully and I have acquired all the fish I want! I have some really nice coral but this HUGE open spot in the middle of my tank. I wanted to create a center piece for a coral/coral garden that likes light and flow… Any ideas?

Reefkeepers Archive · Dec 9, 2023

Goniopora

MrGisonni · Dec 9, 2023

I agree. Goniopora would be a great choice

rja · Dec 9, 2023

MrGisonni said:
I agree. Goniopora would be a great choice

what about digitatas?

MrGisonni · Dec 9, 2023

I love Digitatas they are great. It might take some time for it to grow in though. I have a Montipora Hirsuta that is the fastest growing coral in my tank. Mine is green, but I have seen other colors...in the back.

Cell · Dec 9, 2023

Torch, hammer, frogspawn, goni. Something bright with good movement.

dadnjesse · Dec 9, 2023

rja said:
Hey all,
It’s reef season in the midwest and I have been letting the tank do its thing all summer. It’s been maturing beautifully and I have acquired all the fish I want! I have some really nice coral but this HUGE open spot in the middle of my tank. I wanted to create a center piece for a coral/coral garden that likes light and flow… Any ideas?

What does It's Reef Season in the Midwest mean?

Cell · Dec 9, 2023

We are stuck inside and have more time to work on our tanks.

dadnjesse · Dec 9, 2023

Cell said:
We are stuck inside and have more time to work on our tanks.

Got it

rja · Dec 9, 2023

dadnjesse said:
What does It's Reef Season in the Midwest mean?

It's cold outside therefore there is nothing for me to do other than sit, stare at my tank and mess with it

Reefering1 · Dec 9, 2023

rja · Dec 9, 2023

Reefering1 said:
Clam

Seriously tempting but this is the one creature in the hobby that I do not know anything about...

mermaid_life · Dec 9, 2023

Goni or euphyllia.... maybe even a Duncan

Reefering1 · Dec 9, 2023

rja said:
Seriously tempting but this is the one creature in the hobby that I do not know anything about...

Im betting you didn't know much about many of those creatures in your tank,
until you had them... research, get a small one and let it grow with your system. There are several, very helpful, "clam whisperers" on r2r.

Reefering1 · Dec 9, 2023

How old is the tank? How are the stony corals doing?

rja · Dec 9, 2023

Reefering1 said:
How old is the tank? How are the stony corals doing?

6 months and they are growing pretty good

Green monti day I got it:

Green monti 4 months later (ignore the aiptasia…. working on that)

Reefering1 · Dec 9, 2023

rja said:
6 months and they are growing pretty good

Green monti day I got it:

Green monti 4 months later (ignore the aiptasia…. working on that)

If I were in your position- I would keep that spot clear, maintain what you have for another 6 months or so( get used to keeping stable parameters/ nutrients), if all is well give it a go

Reefering1 · Dec 9, 2023

rja said:
6 months and they are growing pretty good

Green monti day I got it:

Green monti 4 months later (ignore the aiptasia…. working on that)

That monti looks like it needs more light. See how its curling up, towards the light, rather than plating outwards.. worth checking and adjust lighting

rja · Dec 9, 2023

Reefering1 said:
That monti looks like it needs more light. See how its curling up, towards the light, rather than plating outwards.. worth checking and adjust lighting

The one next to it is plating. The guy I bought it from said it was a variety that cups. Everything else in my tank is happy with the lighting I believe. I don’t suppose I would change my schedule for a monti cap haha

Progress of my chalice that has been in the tank the same amount of time at the same level and flow:

tzabor10 · Jan 2, 2024

Birdsnest for sure

rja said:
Hey all,
It’s reef season in the midwest and I have been letting the tank do its thing all summer. It’s been maturing beautifully and I have acquired all the fish I want! I have some really nice coral but this HUGE open spot in the middle of my tank. I wanted to create a center piece for a coral/coral garden that likes light and flow… Any ideas?

Birdsnest for sure. Grows so fast, very tolerant, polyps were extended straight out of the package. Thanks WWC!