Superman Montipora Placement Under T5s

[biggs]

Hi.

I few weeks ago I upgraded my 72 bow and replaced 2 VHOs with T5s and tek reflectors. So right now it's 2 URI VHOs, 1 GE 6500k T5, and one Aquablue T5 (when my current VHO bulbs are done I'll upgrade to 6 total T5s.)

The problem is I haven't had these lights long enough to get a good feel for what placement various corals prefer.

How high up should I place superman montipora? Two possible options are about 3 inches from the top, or about 9 inches from the top. The 3 inch from the top option will also get a bit more flow. The 9 inch option is a prettier spot though. All i really care about is growth and color though.

Thanks.
Tony.

 

[DJ88©]

[moved]

 

[karlitosway]

The two Supers I had bleached out. I put one on the bottom and one near the top. Did'nt make a difference they never lasted a week. That goes for all the Monties in that family (Digi's and plating monties have no problem). I'm sure there were other factors involved. But all other SPS do good, but I just can't get those kind of monties to work.

Goog Luck!

 

[luvtolean]

At the top!

They love the light, and need it to really get their blue color.

 

[Bpynckel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6844975#post6844975 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by luvtolean
At the top!

They love the light, and need it to really get their blue color.

I have had just the opposite results under my T5's driven by Icecap ballasts. i have a 180 SPS dominate tank and my Super is in a low light area with moderate flow... and whoever started the rumor about them being slow growers :smokin:

 

[masterswimmer]

I had my superman under 150w MH up high. The color of my superman was aweful. It was beige and never colored up. Polyps were extended but colorless.

It was recommended to me to put it under more light. I moved it to my other tank with T-5's. I put it up high. Within one week I could see the color starting to come back. As time went on the full color returned and it is looking awesome.

So in answer to your Q, I'd say put it in the highest spot in your tank (I have mine high, under 6 x 54w).

I also agree with Bpynckel, mine is also growing very nicely.

Russ

 

[biggs]

Masterswimmer.

Cool to hear yours was happy up top under T5s.

A few minutes before I saw your post I moved it up top. It's about three inches from the water surface almost directly under the two T5s.

When I first received the coral via FedEx, the base and polyps were sorta beige colored. Over time it's getting whitish-blue. I just don't know if it's coloring up, or dying. The polyps are still sorta beige colored.

But, it's only been in the tank maybe 9 or 10 days. The day I got it, I put it up pretty high in a temp spot. Then next day I got scared and moved it about 10 or so inches below the surface to another temp spot. But that just seemed too far down with my lights. Yesterday I finished adding a little freshly cured rock to the tank to fill it out more. So I was ready for a long term spot.

I guess I'll wait and see.

Tony

 

[calvinreef]

my danae required very intense light to show it's purple base and colorful polyps.

 

[masterswimmer]

Here's a few pix to give you an indication of what I have and where it's headed. Also, maybe to give you some hope.

Coloration as received (very disappointed btw). Pic was taken on February 4, 2006:

Just a couple of weeks later on February 16th:

Same day 2/16 from the top (daylights on, not actinics):

Russ

 

[Snausages01]

Russ, are you sure that is the superman? It looks more like the rainbow.

I'd move the superman up, but do it slowly so you can see how it reacts, but ultimately I think it would do best near the top. Here is a shot of mine under 400 watt Iwasakis near the middle of the tank.

 

[masterswimmer]

Mine is just starting to color up. I have no idea what the final coloration will be. If it looks like yours, then we've got a superman. If not, well then it'll still be better than the fugly beige it came in as.

Yours is beautiful btw.

Russ

 

[spykes]

russ you've seen my pic, i dont think i should show it because the pic sux, but i gotta say my polyps arent dark red

 

[Snausages01]

Russ, I say it looks like the rainbow simply because it looks like the outer rim of the coral has different color polyps than the center of the coral. Are the outer polyps the only ones that are starting to change color?

Either way it looks like its on its way to being a pretty sweet piece.

Thanks for the compliment!

 

[luvtolean]

Yeah, I had that same danae, the polyps go to brown in the middle, but the body is all blue, while the polyps in the new growth are a nice orange-red. It's not the "Superman brand", which I also have, but it's still a nice coral, and usually much cheaper.

I actually talked to tubs about this and he said he went through a whole bunch of danae like it until he found the "superman", one that has all red polyps and blue base that don't change over time.

Just like the Superman, you'll want to slowly move it up for the best color.

 

[masterswimmer]

David, believe me I know how yours looks too. Like I said, it was very disappointing when I first saw it. Any color it picks up would be better than how we all got it.

Chris, the color on mine keeps getting better. I know from the pic the outside looks different than the inside polyps, but that could be from the slow change over in color. I think you might be right about it not being the superman variation, at least it's becoming more appealing, even if it is the rainbow. Thanks for your input.

Russ

 

[raddogz]

When the frags are teeny tiny (fragging an encrusting monti is not as easy as it seems), they take forever grow.

 

[Ti]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6861394#post6861394 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Snausages01
Russ, are you sure that is the superman? It looks more like the rainbow.

I'd move the superman up, but do it slowly so you can see how it reacts, but ultimately I think it would do best near the top. Here is a shot of mine under 400 watt Iwasakis near the middle of the tank.

looks great

 

[RCS]

I'm hoping mine will color up like I expect it to. For the size (about 7"x4") I got an awesome deal on it. The blue is absolutely neon right now, and the polyp hve gone from a muddy red-brown to slightly more red since I got it Wednesday:

 

[Snausages01]

Thanks, it has grown quite a bit since the picture and been fragged a few times as well; just sold a frag of it a few hours ago to a local reefer.