SPS Experts- which monti's are "safe"

[cdw79]

After years in the hobby I've finally gotten the aero bug, and I've gotten it bad, lol. I've kept across before, but I'm getting really into them now.

I've historically shied away from any encrusting montis after seeing several reefers struggle with them taking over their prime acro real estate. At the same time, I wonder if I'm missing out.

So, SPS experts, what kinds montis are you comfortable keeping in your display, and where do you tend to put them? Am I missing out shying away from them, or will I regret adding them later?

 

[Sam7]

Give it a shot...nobodies and expert at anything. You never know until you try. Use your own best instincts

 

[cdw79]

Give it a shot...nobodies and expert at anything. You never know until you try. Use your own best instincts

I fully intended on it, until I saw a video about tropic thunder Monti taking over a guy's tank. Even as he thought he ripped it all out, each time it would come back with a vengeance. Don't want that to be me!

 

[Sam7]

well let me say everybodies tank is different and whats easy for me maybe not for you. SO you just pick some easy ones to start and go from there. If you get them to grow and they get too big frag the coral or pull it and try a different one. Most corals will regrow, it just takes a little piece and the right conditions and its growing again. Thats a problem with about any coral.

 

[billyocean]

They only spread if you allow them too. Isolate them if you dont want them to take up valuable real estate

 

[Sam7]

That is easily fixed by many different methods. Turn the rock over or put some kalk on it and cover it with some coral epoxy. Throw the rock away or bleach the rock add it back in later

 

[spsick]

I have a Forest Fire digitata just for color and it doesn’t encrust. I will not add another monti ever based on all the havoc I’ve seen over the years. Not to mention they grow way too fast compared to acros.

 

[Sam7]

Its not a problem at all...

 

[KrisReef]

I had a couple, "killed them all" and today I have 3. They just return once they are established on a rock. They are like aiptasia, except butterfly fishes and shrimps don't eat them.

Treat them like GSP, and put them on an island that you can remove, trim, or manage as they grow. Otherwise, you may not be able to get rid of them if you want too.

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

I’ve had success w tubbs stellata, forest fire digi or bubblegum & hirsuta for branching. Setosa has a nice color.but spreads. I just put stuff on top of it.

 

[Gone Reefin’]

OP, I think I get where you are going. Agreed that there are just some montis, while beautiful, are going to overtake a lot. Avoid thin encrusting montis. If you see anything called Superman, mystic sunset, or the like and it’s red/blue or vice-versa, this is not for you.

Platers (caps) grow fast, but can easily be broken apart. If you want something nicer which is little risk of taking over, get some palawanesis. Slow growers in most tanks (think beach bum or kung pao). Also I love digis, beautiful, good growers, and can be snapped like a twig if needed.

 

[Tonycass12]

They only spread if you allow them too. Isolate them if you dont want them to take up valuable real estate

This is the way. Montipora are aggressive, only a few of my acros have ever put up a half way decent defense.

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

M. Danae too.

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

This is the way. Montipora are aggressive, only a few of my acros have ever put up a half way decent defense.

I have an OG Oregon tort and Setosa married up over time. Like it.

 

[DeeBee]

Its not a problem at all...

I disagree. I had an orange Digitata that was literally choking out everything next to it. I spent months trying to scrape, cover, whatever it takes to fight it back. It grew at weed speed. Turning over a rock in an established reef is also not an option.

Caps are generally easier to keep in check but even they encrust somewhat, but much easier to control than the encrusters.

 

[Tonycass12]

I have an OG Oregon tort and Setosa married up over time. Like it.

So far ive only been lucky with an aussie gold and leng sy, was really wild to see those grow right on one another. Everything else is just back and forth destruction with the montipora usually making more headway. Ive got to pull some colonies and re mount them to large frag plates to keep a sunset monti from overtaking them.

 

[UMALUM]

Here's what a little over a year can look like.




I decided to build right on top of it to squeeze in a couple more pieces.

 

[Waters]

I have now rebooted two SPS systems due to montis taking over....don't do it!!!! lol. If you stay on top of them they can be controlled but once they start encrusting into the crevices of rock (like Marco rock for example) it is close to impossible to contain them.

 

[reefpanda]

For me monti gives the natural reef look to our tanks, so I like them

 

[cdw79]

OP, I think I get where you are going. Agreed that there are just some montis, while beautiful, are going to overtake a lot. Avoid thin encrusting montis. If you see anything called Superman, mystic sunset, or the like and it’s red/blue or vice-versa, this is not for you.

Platers (caps) grow fast, but can easily be broken apart. If you want something nicer which is little risk of taking over, get some palawanesis. Slow growers in most tanks (think beach bum or kung pao). Also I love digis, beautiful, good growers, and can be snapped like a twig if needed.

Thanks all for the responses, especially the rec for palawanesis. Anything else I'll probably be isolating to be safe!