Montipora in 24g nanocube with deluxe hood?

[amc78cj7]

Anybody growing montipora in their cube with 32 watt dual compact lights? How's it doing? The LFS said monticap are hardy and would do OK, but just wanted some personal experience. Mine would be about 5-6" below the water / light surface

[tippMANn98]

oooh...im not sure on that...I thought they do much better under halides or better...

[michael_cb_125]

Montiporas may live under that lighting, but they will not thrive. With any SPS coral maximum growth will be found under the more intense lighting systems such as T5, MH, and LED. Some of the more dully colored Montiporas may do well under your PC lighting, but the brighter colored specimens need the intense light to maintain their brillance.
~Michael

[amc78cj7]

Originally Posted by tippMANn98

oooh...im not sure on that...I thought they do much better under halides or better...

"what i've read" is that these are of the hardiest hard corals and do fine near the top with compact lighting. That said, this is why I posted the question to see if there is any first hand testimony.

[tippMANn98]

well I ALSO would like to know for sure, i have 144w on top of my cube, and I want a montipora

[michael_cb_125]

They would "live". But most would never reach their FULL potential under compacts. JMO

[tippMANn98]

Originally Posted by michael_cb_125

They would "live". But most would never reach their FULL potential under compacts. JMO

What is considered "Full Potential" for them?

[michael_cb_125]

With any coral you want to see maximum growth, and good color. Many of the montiporas that have amazing orange, green, purple, or red colors NEED just as much light as some of the Acroporas. If you put them in a lower light environment the coral's brilliant colors will fade. Plus they will not grow nearly as quickly. I am just not a fan of putting ANY SPS coral under PC lighting. IMO They need the intense lighting to stay in top from.
~Michael

[nanoreefsrcool]

why would u risk it then? if u know that that it will not thrive and reach it full potential then just dont get one. its already bad that were taking it out of the ocean. sorry if im a little bit edgy but if u know it wont live under those condidtions then dont try it.

[tippMANn98]

im not going to try it...Im doing just fine with what I got...ITS JUST A QUESTION.

[michael_cb_125]

I agree. There are MANY corals that will go great in lower light tanks. But I just dont feel like SPS corals fit into this category. (there are a few SPS corals that need low light, but they also require special care)
~Michael

[amc78cj7]

Originally Posted by nanoreefsrcool

sorry if im a little bit edgy but if u know it wont live under those condidtions then dont try it.

There is contrary information about whether it will live and/or thrive under these conditions, thus the question. I haven't bought anything yet. It's called research and I figured information from this forum is just as good if not better than what I get from google.

Still taking personal testimonies. Anyone.

[Frankie]

I think the most trouble your going to have is keeping a steady Ca++ level. A Monti cap is going to suck up calcium like a clam. I have a cap under low light in my refugium and it is doing fine.

[amc78cj7]

Originally Posted by Frankie

A Monti cap is going to suck up calcium like a clam.

Great information to take into consideration. Can you tell me if the calcium shortage is more a result of the volume of a nanocube or the lighting? In other words, is calcium loss dependent on lighting (ie the MH nanos are fine, just not compact lighting nanos) or the volume (ie a 100g is less impacted than a 24g)?

It seems like your argument is just that monti's shouldn't be kept in any nano regardless of light.

[zy112]

I have a friend that has a moni in a 7 gallon bowfrond under 2 32 watt compacts. Its doing very well and growing well. So it is def possible maybe just not to the capability of what a halide would do.