What PAR do you keep sunset montis at?

[AFHokie]

I got this sunset montipora several months ago and at first the base was bright orange, just like in pictures. Over time the base turned grey but polyps remain bright green.

I moved it down to the sand in case it was bleaching out but also noticed I had hit 0 nitrates. My nitrates are back between 5-10 and while still pale and washed out the skin is slightly more reddish.

Ive checked potassium and I’m at 390 so I don’t think it’s that.

I’ve read conflicting advice about encrusting montipora. Montis in general always says they love light but I’ve read that the encrusted like lower light. So, I don’t know if I’m starving it or light or giving it too much. Where it’s sitting now on the sand it’s getting around 100-115 PAR.

1.026
Alk: 9.9
Ca: 440
Mg: 1340
NO3: 5-10
PO4: 0.05

 

[Dburr1014]

200/250 par is more in line I think.
That's where mine is and orange.

 

[AFHokie]

200/250 par is more in line I think.
That's where mine is and orange.

Thank you

 

[Nano sapiens]

Thank you

From long term experience with this coral, the minimum for the bright orange base color is around 180 PAR, but best coloration is usually closer to 220 PAR. Under lower PAR of around 110 PAR base turns greyish and under 300 and above PAR it will typically turn cream-orange (partial to full bleaching).

Old school coral that looks best under 12k or so light.

 

[AFHokie]

From long term experience with this coral, the minimum for the bright orange base color is around 180 PAR, but best coloration is usually closer to 220 PAR. Under lower PAR of around 110 PAR base turns greyish and under 300 and above PAR it will typically turn cream-orange (partial to full bleaching).

Old school coral that looks best under a bit more whiteish light than is typical today.

Thank you. I’ll find a brighter spot to put it up higher.

 

[KK's Reef]

Gonna have to agree with the previous posters. I don't have a sunset, but I had a rainbow monti in 80-100 PAR and over months the polyps turned from bright green to orange. Turned the PAR up to about 150 and the polyps are turning yellow. I feel like if I give it a bit more light it will eventually turn green again.

 

[design.maddie]

I am going to chime in with 2 years of experimenting with this coral and 220-250 is the sweet spot. Anything lower than 175 and the colors get really dark. I never pushed it past 250-270.

 

[Nano sapiens]

Here's my Sunset in around 170-180 PAR from a few years ago:

Not all 'Sunset Monti' are of the 'Tyree LE' lineage (mine isn't), so best lighting intensity may well vary a bit and may require some experimentation.