Superman Monti Placement

[divecj5]

Just had a question for you guys regarding where you have had success in placing a Superman Monti. I have the frag below for about a month now and I'm starting to see some encrusting growth already but I'm just having a hard time getting the really vibrant blue base and red polyps. Some of the polyps are really red and a good bit of the base is blue but I just wanted to see what you thought.

Here are my specs and you can see where I have it placed currently. I started it in the sand for a bit just to make sure to acclimate it and then moved it up. Just trying to figure out it I should move it up higher or lower it.

Specs:
BC 29 gallon
150w Sunpod w/XM 15k
Tunze 6025 getting ready to add another today

Here is a picture when I got it and then another to show what it looks like as of a week ago.

Now up higher

Overall you can see it on the left above the green pocillipora

 

[Russellaqua]

I've always kept mine fairly low in the tank. Most Montis don't require the high light levels most SPS need.

 

[divecj5]

Thanks Mark. I am going to leave it where it is for another week and then try and move it down a little bit. Just trying to find that sweet spot for the color. Thank you for your suggestion.

 

[stinky]

My 2 x encrusting monti color turned more intense after moving it to the top 50% of my tank. Growth rate also increased.

When placed back to bottom, the color became more pale.

BTY, lighting = 250W MH.

 

[LorenK]

Make sure you keep it far from any kryptonite candy cane coral.

 

[jonbar1]

Is it a frag of the original one? It looks like my maricultured/wild one and they don't get nearly as vibrantly colored as the one that can be traced back to Tubs that you'll often see online as the "true" or "original" Superman Monti.

 

[cobraz]

I have seen this debate before... of the 4 pieces I have 3 Orig and one Mar..

I have moved all mine to 3/4 up in the tank with 250 MH.. the coloration and growth are increased rather than on the bottom where they tend to be brown and less growth.
I have also found that if they are placed in indirect flow they do much better than in a stagnate area of the tank.

I got one piece from a fellow reefer that was ready to chuck it because it was brown... 2 months later - it's very blue and polyps are nice and red. Paitence..is the key, it does not cost anything to watch something grow.

 

[JGoslee]

I keep mine in high light with moderate flow.

 

[BigBadZoaDaddy]

I keep mine in high light with moderate flow.

Same with me, and time will help it a ton.

BTW nice looking tank, it looks as though there is some free space in the upper back, a suggestion, hope ya don't mine? If ya keep with the sps theme, I have glued some pieces to the glass before and that may look pretty neat in you situation.

 

[divecj5]

Wow...thank you for all of the response. Incredibly helpful.

jonbar - I don't believe that it is the "original" superman that can be traced back to Tubs. I just got it from someone for a really good deal and couldn't pass it up.

conbraz, JGoslee - I am just going to keep it where it is for the time being and see what comes of it. It is currently in the upper 1/3 of the tank and in some nice indirect flow from a Tunze 6025 that I just added two days ago.

I have been seeing a lot more of the red in the polyps come out and there are a number of places on the frag that are a really nice blue.

I have plenty o' time on my hands to let it grow out so I'm just looking forward to see how vibrant it can get. I've also read that the higher K bulbs bring out more of the blue color as well. I have a XM 15k now and I'm currently getting a nice mix of color and growth.

BigBadZoaDaddy - Thanks for the compliment. It has come a long way from when it started back in July. It is 11 months old today...the tank that is. I am definitely planning on keeping with the SPS theme and I hope to add some more acros to that upper ledge at the top.

About attaching to the glass, do you mean the back wall or actually the sides of the tank (glass)? Would love to see a picture of that.

 

[LorenK]

Ya'all have no sense of humor! No more jokes for you.

 

[revhtree]

I keep mine on the higher side of the lighting scale and good flow. I have good growth and vibrant colors.

That was funny balagan! LOL!

 

[divecj5]

Ya'all have no sense of humor! No more jokes for you.

Haha...you would think it is a Monday...didn't catch the joke the first time around :hammer:


Thanks for the suggestion Rev. Sounds like the consensus is a good amount of flow and middle to higher lighting.