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I will soon be upgrading from my 30 to a 40 breeder and want to have a cliff with a Monti Cap or two growing out of it. Is a Monti a good choice for my first attempt at keeping SPS Corals? The rest of the tank will consist of 3 Leathers,( 2 toadstools and a Finger), Assorted Mushrooms and Zoa's and Xenia, Anthelia and GSP, the Xenia, Anthelia and GSP will be "Islands in the Sand" to keep them from taking over. Is there such a thing as a bright blue Monti Cap? Is there a good site to learn about this particular Coral? Thanks

	SPS Small Polyped Scleractinians - Sometimes known as Small Polyped Stony corals. These are hard corals that have extremely small polyps. They are typically on the difficult side and require Metal Halide lighting or dense Power Compact or T5 arrays. These corals are prized for their rareness and ability to be easily fragged into multiple colonies.

[House of Laughter]

Dave,

Monti's are good starter corals, but caps tend to suck the life out of your saltwater. Caps are known to suck out calcium and alkalinity - as long as you keep them in check (B-Ionic) you'll be fine.

The more colorful caps tend to be more difficult to keep and more prone to swings/changes in water chemistry - some of the heartier caps, like my green with purple rim is virtually bullet proof and somewhat of a (as jhale would call it) cap on steroids. I have the Tyree Idaho Grape cap ($75 for an inch square) and almost lost it all when my calcium reactor crapped out - quick media change and a balancing with B-ionic to help stabilize, save it - it continues to grow and be healthy.

Digitata's, however, are better starter monti's if you ask me - that's what I started with when I had a 30g and was growing it out. Believe it or not, I still have that first coral in my current display - you are welcome to a free piece once you get your lights and system up and running. It is a purple tips with chocolate polyps - very nice coral for starters.

Hope that helps,

House

[jackson6745]

There is not really a bright blue cap that I have seen but there are "blue" caps which are more of a light blue color. I don't see them very often though. Monti caps are a great choice for a first SPS because they are much more forgiving of less than optimal water parameters.

Care for this SPS as with all SPS will require high water quality, specifically low or non dectable phosphates, and a steady temp, cal, and alk will keep the coral colored and growing well. Since you have softies in the tank using carbon is a good idea.

Here is the closest thing to a blue cap that I have

	SPS Small Polyped Scleractinians - Sometimes known as Small Polyped Stony corals. These are hard corals that have extremely small polyps. They are typically on the difficult side and require Metal Halide lighting or dense Power Compact or T5 arrays. These corals are prized for their rareness and ability to be easily fragged into multiple colonies.

[Daceman]

rich that cap looks a little too big for your tank. think i can help you reduce the corals size....lol....

nice cap

Quote: Originally Posted by jackson6745 There is not really a bright blue cap that I have seen but there are "blue" caps which are more of a light blue color. I don't see them very often though. Monti caps are a great choice for a first SPS because they are much more forgiving of less than optimal water parameters. Care for this SPS as with all SPS will require high water quality, specifically low or non dectable phosphates, and a steady temp, cal, and alk will keep the coral colored and growing well. Since you have softies in the tank using carbon is a good idea. Here is the closest thing to a blue cap that I have

	SPS Small Polyped Scleractinians - Sometimes known as Small Polyped Stony corals. These are hard corals that have extremely small polyps. They are typically on the difficult side and require Metal Halide lighting or dense Power Compact or T5 arrays. These corals are prized for their rareness and ability to be easily fragged into multiple colonies.

[kimoyo]

Quote: Originally Posted by jackson6745

Dude, is that the LE Flower Petal Polyp?

[jackson6745]

Its just a blue polyp cap from Stingnyc. Not an LE How stupid is it making limited edition corals???

[kimoyo]

Quote: Originally Posted by jackson6745 Its just a blue polyp cap from Stingnyc. Not an LE How stupid is it making limited edition corals???

Usually I would agree but the flower petal is sweetttt

[Psycho graphic]

Quote: Originally Posted by jackson6745 There is not really a bright blue cap that I have seen but there are "blue" caps which are more of a light blue color. I don't see them very often though. Monti caps are a great choice for a first SPS because they are much more forgiving of less than optimal water parameters. Care for this SPS as with all SPS will require high water quality, specifically low or non dectable phosphates, and a steady temp, cal, and alk will keep the coral colored and growing well. Since you have softies in the tank using carbon is a good idea. Here is the closest thing to a blue cap that I have

Jackson, what lighting is used in this pic?

	SPS Small Polyped Scleractinians - Sometimes known as Small Polyped Stony corals. These are hard corals that have extremely small polyps. They are typically on the difficult side and require Metal Halide lighting or dense Power Compact or T5 arrays. These corals are prized for their rareness and ability to be easily fragged into multiple colonies.

[jackson6745]

250w 10k BLV's + 3 VHO actinics but the coral is partially shaded by another cap

Wow that flower petal is sweet. looks like a confusa with blue polyps!

	VHO Very High Output Fluorescent Lighting - Fluorescent bulbs that run on special ballasts and have an output that is significantly higher than normal tubes. It is very possible to run an entire reef system on VHO lighting providing the proper number of bulbs and mixture of spectrums are chosen. For most hobbyists, these tubes are used in conjunction with Metal Halide lighting for simulating dawn and dusk. They often provide the "bluer" end of the light spectrum and thus a more aesthetically appealing display.

[Psycho graphic]

I hope I'm not breaking any rules by asking, do you ever frag this cap?