Monti Growth Pattern

[zx6r]

I have a red/red monti cap that I bought as a nickel piece frag, it's about half dollar size after three and a half weeks in my new tank and it is growing straight upward toward the light. Lighting is a single Par38 with 40* optics about 15 or 16 inches above the monti itself, which is maybe an inch and a half under the surface of the water. Water movement would probably be considered high flow.

How do I get this thing to grow outward instead of up? Is there a basic guide as to how to get them to grow a certain way?

 

[nano427]

don't worry or over think it, the cap will flatten out as it encrusts and establishes in your tank. also I'd lower the frag lower in the tank to about half way to give it some room to grow and to view. keep an eye on your params because with that kind of quick growth in a small tank you can suck up a lot of cal/alk real quick.

 

[zx6r]

Alright, that's reasonable.
I'll get Ca/Alk tests when I'm at the store next time. I also have a pink birdsnest in there that went from an inch to an inch and a half in the same time period so I would guess that resources are being sucked up fast in 3.5gal. I was worried about dosing anything in this small of a tank but I will research it now.

Thanks

 

[mike_cmu04]

You will definently have to dose in that tank and do weekly water changes.

 

[Dustin1300]

Agreed. With only 3.5 gallons doing two 1 gallon water changes would prolly keep the params at where they need to be for growth.