From the mighty waters of the deep sea, many lives sustain. The ocean sustains everything from the largest mammal blue whale to the microplankton it feeds. Within this species, corals that are beautiful in various colors and unique sizes stand contrastingly. Many reefing enthusiasts take great interest in them. They are resulting in their rising popularity, not only in reefer but also among the general mass.
The focus of this article will be on a coral or an SPS coral, to be more specific. The 2nd most popular SPS coral, the montipora coral, is a master specimen regarding luminosity and remarkable growth.
In this article, we will address the main problem associated with its care—the placement of the montipora.
Care of the coral
Forts of all, we need to understand the care the coral needs to determine the best suitable placement.
The factors that are considered while caring for the montipora are:
Lighting
The lighting should be moderate as it helps in the photosynthesis of the coral.
Waterflow
The coral needs a powerful water flow to prevent debris from collecting over it. Additionally, it provides the coral with more nutrients for its consumption.
Water chemistry
Different factors like alkalinity and chemical levels of compounds are to be considered to provide the coral with the best-suited environment.
The required chemical stats are as follows:
- Alkalinity: should be moderate.
- Calcium:400 to 450 ppm
- Magnesium: target being 1390 ppm
- Nitrate: 1 to 10 ppm
- Phosphate: as close to 0 as possible.
Placement
Placement of the montipora is a tricky task. Because of the tendency to create a shelf-like structure that can block the light from reaching corals below it shown by them. Placing it in locations where other corals are below it or will be in future should be avoided.
We are now going to deal with the placement of different montipora.
- Encrusting Montis
Encrusting montis grow in all directions upwards, which makes them a great way to cover ground or rocks. Placing encrusting montis on smooth, flat surfaces will help optimise growth. The character will no longer be available for other coral placements as the coral encrusts.
- Digi Montis
It is a branching coral that builds flat, fin-like structures. The primary consideration to take in their case is to place them is that they should be placed in such a manner they do not block light and water flow. Make sure to put them in an area where their growth doesn’t affect other corals.
The montipora coral is one of the most famous corals in the SPS slot, the second one, to be specific. Its placement Is a factor that helps it to grow and be healthy, as shown in the above article.