Montipora in 24g nanocube with deluxe hood?

[dobejazz]

I have a monti cap in my 95 under PC lights prior to the move to the big tank it was in my nano cube with pc lights

[Illuminati]

Here's a picture of an Orange Monti Digi and a ORA Green Polyp Birdsnest under 108W PC Hood in my 24g nanocube.



It can be done. If you keep the SPS stocking to a minimum and do weekly water changes with a good salt (I use Red Sea Coral Pro) you won't need to do a lot of dosing.

Advice:

Stick to aquacultured frags, hardier and they keep their color better.

Only try Digi's, Caps and Birdsnests and don't drop a lot of $$$$ on them in case it doesn't work.

Just keep the SPS in the top 1/3rd of the tank and give them flow. If you get bit by the SPS bug (It will happen), switch to a sunpod hood or another MH fixture for best results.

Good Luck

[Illuminati]

Here's a picture of an Orange Monti Digi and a ORA Green Polyp Birdsnest under 108W PC Hood in my 24g nanocube.




As someone who has gone from the stock DX hood to the 108W hood to finally a 150W MH Sunpod I would not even bother. I tried a green with purple rim monti under the stock DX light and it browned out.

It can be done with the 108W hood. If you keep the SPS stocking to a minimum and do weekly water changes with a good salt (I use Red Sea Coral Pro) you won't need to do a lot of dosing.

Advice:

Stick to aquacultured frags, hardier and they keep their color better.

Only try Digi's, Caps and Birdsnests and don't drop a lot of $$$$ on them in case it doesn't work.

Just keep the SPS in the top 1/3rd of the tank and give them flow. If you get bit by the SPS bug (It will happen), switch to a sunpod hood or another MH fixture for best results.

Good Luck

[Illuminati]

Gotta love Double Posts

[zy112]

Good info and pics Illuminati

[Illuminati]

Little Photo Journal of the growth of my ORA Green Birdsnest

Picture taken on 6/12/07 (108W PC's)



Picture taken on 6/30/07 (108W PC's)



Picture taken on 8/12/07 (Top Down View, 150W Sunpod) About the 4 week mark under the halides.



Growth is far and away better with the halides but that is some impressive growth for 2 weeks of PC lighting IMO.

Also forgot about a Pink Pocci that I kept under the PC's, color wasn't nearly as bright as the picture from the vendor when I bought it but he had it blasted under either 250W or 400W MH bulbs.



And the Monti Cap under the stock lighting, it was like 2" below the water surface and still got this crap color, was green with a purple rim under the right lighting.

[amc78cj7]

Thanks a ton. I think I am seeing a couple trends.

1) experienced hobbiest are leary of PC lighting and SPS based on previous knowledge and understanding of the needs of SPS

2) Owners of newer nanos and PC lights are testing the old concepts and finding success in some cases.

Perfect example of how we improve over time. I will probably try a small frag of monticap near the upper 1/3 of my 24g nano in a month or so and see how it goes. I have local testimony that a lot of the SPS do well in the JBJ with PC lighting so long as they're near the top. Plus I upgraded my pump and have serious flow in the tank which may help as well.

Originally Posted by Illuminati

Little Photo Journal of the growth of my ORA Green Birdsnest

Picture taken on 6/12/07 (108W PC's)



Picture taken on 6/30/07 (108W PC's)



Picture taken on 8/12/07 (Top Down View, 150W Sunpod) About the 4 week mark under the halides.



Growth is far and away better with the halides but that is some impressive growth for 2 weeks of PC lighting IMO.

Also forgot about a Pink Pocci that I kept under the PC's, color wasn't nearly as bright as the picture from the vendor when I bought it but he had it blasted under either 250W or 400W MH bulbs.



And the Monti Cap under the stock lighting, it was like 2" below the water surface and still got this crap color, was green with a purple rim under the right lighting.

[ramora]

nice corals man.

[Kate]

I have an orange Montipora frag in my nano, that is doing very well, but I was told at the place I bought it, that it was ok to put it near the top, under the power compacts, so don't flay me with a wet noodle for it!