Coral coasters in your reef: Do you keep plating corals?

[Peace River]

Coral coasters in your reef: Do you keep plating corals?

Plating corals include certain species of Montipora, Acropora, and Pocillopora corals. Plenty of lighting and flow are usually a key part of their care. These colorful corals can grow well with the right parameters, so it is important to consider their horizontal growth patterns and any possible interference from other aggressive corals. What has been your experience – do you keep plating corals? Please share your recommendations and best practices in the related discussion!

Photo by @maramotreef; February 2024 Reef of the Month


This QOTD is sponsored by: www.topshelfaquatics.com

“Top Shelf Aquatics helps you feel confident in the quality, reliability, and consistency of getting everything you need for a perfect saltwater aquarium. From corals and fish to inverts and aquarium supplies, you can count on us to provide you with a seamless reefing experience.”

 

[esquare]

I voted that I have no plans to keep plating corals because of the shadowing that can occur under them. However, now that this thread has got me thinking about them with that awesome top down pic, I may have to investigate further.

 

[JoJosReef]

I have two monti caps. One I passed off for dead for months (a "mystique" monti cap), but one day started putting out polyps again and has been growing at a steady clip. The other, a red cap, is encrusting in all directions. I have it placed above my NPS coral, a fat head dendro, so shading doesn't matter as much there.

 

[Haggisman14]

That's gonna be a no from me dawg!

My plating corals in my little 5 gallon tank just isn't going to work! I do go the route of some encrusters...but not platers!

 

[shakacuz]

i have 2 monti cap's and 1 other monti (aquaman monti).

should chalice's be included in this? they do plate/encrust, too

 

[Katrina71]

I have two monti caps. One I passed off for dead for months (a "mystique" monti cap), but one day started putting out polyps again and has been growing at a steady clip. The other, a red cap, is encrusting in all directions. I have it placed above my NPS coral, a fat head dendro, so shading doesn't matter as much there.

That is a great idea! I have NPS and was just trying to figure out how to incorporate a monti in the new tank. Thank you!

 

[crewsfish]

I was just thinking about this the other day. How many people regret placement of a monti cap that started to really grow. Mine are just starting to take off but I'm starting to worry as they extend. I also have an entrusting Tropic Thunder that is starting to put out shelves.

 

[14 foot reef]

Frag 1 year ago !!!!!

 

[threebuoys]

I like both montis and chalices, but I'll probably have to begin triming my monti before too long. They heal so quickly that jagged edges are not noticable.

 

[PeterC99]

Absolutely

 

[vlangel]

I voted other because what I have is not what folks think of as a plating coral. It's a purple photosynthetic sponge and it is very easy to keep and I think quite attractive. It can be somewhat invasive if not kept up with removing it from places that you do not want it however .

 

[dpoltsdsu]

Yes - love Monti Caps. They do take quite a bit of real estate though and shade a lot of coral. They have such a “reef” feel to them though once they are grown out.

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

Absolutely

Hey hey. Hope all is well. Great corals. Gonna head up the Hudson valley in spring. I’ll keep ya posted. Tricolor.

 

[nereefpat]

Yep. Red Cap and Hollywood Stunner chalice. If you don't have a large tank, you would have to place them very strategically. If you have a large tank and need something to take up at least a square foot (or 2x2' + section), they are awesome for that.

 

[Treefer32]

Yes - love Monti Caps. They do take quite a bit of real estate though and shade a lot of coral. They have such a “reef” feel to them though once they are grown out.

how'd you get it to grow in spirals like that? Keep trimming it or what?

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

I have Chalice, “Hollywood Stunner.” Also Montipora, “Red Plating.” Does it due any good to Feed Montipora ReefRoids?

 

[Treefer32]

Montipora like dirty water. I have purple monti growing in three different places and if a piece breaks off it grows in a new spot. I may have it in my rocks in places I'm not aware off. I had phosphates as high as .3 and Nitrates as high as 70 and my montipora still grew.

 

[Reefer Matt]

Yes, quite a few.

 

[Tactical Reefkeeping]

Yeah I have to montis

 

[dpoltsdsu]

how'd you get it to grow in spirals like that? Keep trimming it or what?

I very rarely trim it. I’ve had this colony for quite a while. For what it’s worth, I have it in VERY high light (right under a Radion) and in very high flow. Not sure if that has anything to do with it. I suspect it has a lot to do with flow.