First SPS

[Psycho graphic]

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

 

[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

 

[Dace]

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

nice cap

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

 

[kimoyo]

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]

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]

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?

 

[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!

 

[Psycho graphic]

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

 

[jackson6745]

Actually, half of this cap is going back to stingnyc because he lost his. Once it plates out I will frag it. You're not breaking any rules by asking

 

[Psycho graphic]

Please keep me in mind when that time comes, hopefully I will be ready by then.

 

[Alfredo De La Fe]

Hey, whenever you are ready to frag it keep me in mind. I can trade for some very nice acros... Also, I try to have the same policy of returning frags to people that trade or sell them to me if their system crashes or they lose the parent colony.

-Alfred