First Monti Questions

[Uzidaisies]

Hi, I just picked up my first Monti and I have a couple questions if anyone could help please. First, I’m not sure if I’m supposed to place this near the bottom of the tank for a few days, and then it can go to the top? I just put it in there about five minutes ago, and put it near the top. I have a small toadstool about three inches away, but kind of offset, when will this become a problem? It has a lot of overhang sheeting off of the frag plug. I don’t really like the way it looks. Should I cut off the flat parts and mount the pieces separately? Or get over it? Or more generally, any suggestions for a better way to mount it? I kind of want to get a branch type piece to grow it on, rather than on the main rock. But I forgot to grab one. Thanks so much for your help!

 

[mdb_talon]

Personally i always start my corals low in the tank and gradually move them up. Moving them is stressful and dont want to stress them more if it is more light than accustomed to.

That looks like some variety of encrusting monti. Once it is established it will grow quite quickly in the right tank and will run over most things in its way. There are ways to slow or stop its advance(kalk paste, etc), but it is a continuing maintenance thing. If you can get it a rock of its own that has limited connection points to rocks around it that makes it much easier.

 

[Uzidaisies]

Thanks, the rock it’s on is not anchored down, so if it comes down to it, I can separate the rock. Especially when I finally get around to transferring this tank.

 

[ChaosAquaculture]

I put my corals on frag racks and gradually move them up to see where they’re happiest and then find a spot level to that in the tank. Note, this is over a few weeks. Congrats on your first monti! Kali

 

[Uzidaisies]

I put my corals on frag racks and gradually move them up to see where they’re happiest and then find a spot level to that in the tank. Note, this is over a few weeks. Congrats on your first monti! Kali

Thanks!

 

[JGT]

Also helpful to know what the environment from which it came. If I've gotten corals that are coming from a high lighting environment, I put them higher up in my own tank. If you don't know the history then low to high over a week or so is a safe bet.

 

[nereefpat]

That might be a plating Monti, like a season's greetings or chili pepper or something. If so, plating montis will really grow and shade anything lower, so a lower rock might be best if your lighting is strong enough.

 

[Uzidaisies]

That might be a plating Monti, like a season's greetings or chili pepper or something. If so, plating montis will really grow and shade anything lower, so a lower rock might be best if your lighting is strong enough.

I could be wrong, but I thought it was encrusting, and the sheet like parts were just where is was encrusting over the frag rack. If it is plating, adjustments will need to be made. I forgot to ask lol. Didn’t ask which name it went by either. Is there a way to tell before it starts growing?