Description

Doc acquired this coral around 2010 from Vivid aquariums. The branches are green although all you really see are shades of it because the red polyps cover most of it up when extended. Branches will not grow to dense throughout the coral. We like to add these to many of our reef aquarium designs placing them on the upper part of the reef. The coral will not shade corals below much. Aquarium maintenance is easy by clipping back a few branches and the base back every few months.

Description

Montipora corals are a little easier than acropora and require regular testing for best results. Many Montipora species like the Capricornis species are tabling and can shade the reef below if placed up high. For the shelving types it is best to place them at the lower 1/3 of the tank or even on the floor of the aquarium. 

Lighting: medium – strong lighting 250-350 PAR. 

Flow: medium – high

Care Level: Easy – intermediate- advanced 

Original Location Range: Indonesia, Coral Triangle, South Pacific

Grown in our California coral farm where we provide zero impact corals

Water chemistry: Calcium 400-450, Magnesium 1350, KH 7-9.5, pH 8.1-8.4, Nitrates .01-10, Phosphates .01-.1 salinity 1.026

Temperature Range: 74- 81 Fahrenheit 

Dosing: Doc highly recommends automated dosing of Ca, Kh and other elements to provide ultimate stable water chemistry throughout the day. It is important there are no fluctuations especially with Kh/alkalinity. For more information on dosing and products click here. 

Attachment: Use epoxy and reef glue gel. Clip off as much of the plug or disc possible. Add a small amount of coral glue to the underside of the disk. Mix up enough two part epoxy to create a small mound and dab it a few times into the glue to get it tacky then press and mold a conical shape. Add a few small daps to the tip of the cone dabbing the glue so it really sticks to the epoxy. Press the coral disk onto the desired location and press the epoxy flat around the disk. Be sure the coral is fully secure, the coral should never fall off the reef.

Click here for our favorite epoxy and reef glues. 

Trouble shooting: Montipora species, particularly the Capricornis strain, will develop fading corals if nutrient levels go to low or there is a lack of elements that help with the corals color. Another big problem is the Montipora eating nudibranchs. It is very important to quarantine Montiporas for a minimum of a few weeks to ensure this pest is not transferred to your display tank. If you do end up with nudibranchs from another source, the easiest and best way to eradicate them is by starvation. Remove all Montipora pieces for 3 months and the nudibranchs will die off. Wrasses are very helpful with eating nudibranchs although the nudibranchs come out at night while fish are sleeping.