How much par for a sunset montipora and other montis?

[deepseadan]

What par do you guys recommend for a sunset monti? The red on mine has always seemed a little lite, and it receives around 300 par on my new meter. For some reason the particular area where it sits has higher par than other similar areas. My higher up acros seem to get around the same par (300 - 350), and colors and growth couldn't be better. I have 250 watt radiums, Hamilton Cayman sun fixtures on lumateks. What are your par readings for sunsets and other montis?

 

[gbru316]

the amount of light energy corals can tolerate is related to how much flow they receive and the spectrum of light provided.

For the same coral, someone could have success with 400, while someone else has success with 150.

PAR is a better metric than the old watts/gallon rule, but it's not the only thing that matters.

 

[Nano sapiens]

What par do you guys recommend for a sunset monti? The red on mine has always seemed a little lite, and it receives around 300 par on my new meter. For some reason the particular area where it sits has higher par than other similar areas. My higher up acros seem to get around the same par (300 - 350), and colors and growth couldn't be better. I have 250 watt radiums, Hamilton Cayman sun fixtures on lumateks. What are your par readings for sunsets and other montis?

Sunset Montipora can do well in a really broad range of lighting intensities. As mentioned, PAR is a somewhat useful guide for one's own tank, but not so much when comparing different tanks/lighting.

I have found that under lower light (~110 PAR in my tank) the polyps stay green, but the body is grey/orange-cream color. I get brighter orange at ~140 PAR and would expect even better coloration if I gave it ~180-200 or so. From what I have seen/heard in a local LFS it turns bright creamy color when given too much light, so try dropping it down to maybe 220 or so.

Hard to say with other Montis since there are many different species, with varying needs.

 

[deepseadan]

Sunset Montipora can do well in a really broad range of lighting intensities. As mentioned, PAR is a somewhat useful guide for one's own tank, but not so much when comparing different tanks/lighting.

I have found that under lower light (~110 PAR in my tank) the polyps stay green, but the body is grey/orange-cream color. I get brighter orange at ~140 PAR and would expect even better coloration if I gave it ~180-200 or so. From what I have seen/heard in a local LFS it turns bright creamy color when given too much light, so try dropping it down to maybe 220 or so.

Hard to say with other Montis since there are many different species, with varying needs.

Thanks for the info regarding the color changing due light intensities. I think I will put a piece of acrylic in between to lower the par just a bit. It's doing exactly what you're explaining above. The other monti I'm struggling with a bit is a green with purple edges. I used to have it at 24" deep under a 4 bulb t5 fixture and it would really glow. Now the tips are white and the green has no glow. I suspect it might be getting to much light as well.

 

[Nano sapiens]

Sound like you are describing a Montipora capricornis (aka 'Monti Cap')? If so, these plating type Montis typically do better in somewhat lower light compared to the encrusting or digitate types.