Montipora Care Guide

What are Montipora

Montipora are a type of SPS Coral (Small Polyp Stony) including both encrusting and branching variations. When talking about montipora, encrusting and cap variations are most popular. Monti coral grow quickly compared to other SPS coral. Monti Caps tend to grow especially quickly.

Author's Note:

I have found that montipora are often much hardier than acropora. Montipora Care does require strong lighting, good flow and stable conditions. Some mistakes that would cause bleaching or death in Acropora Coral may be tolerated better by Montipora. Or so has been my experience.

Montipora Origin Location

Montipora are found in Reefs and Lagoons from the western Indian Ocean, southern Pacific Ocean, and Red Sea. Montipora Coral have not been found in the Atlantic Ocean.

Montipora Care - Temperature

Temperature Stability

The first consideration with any coral is temperature. Many reefers believe that if they are within a given range, they will be fine. However, when keeping sensitive corals like SPS, especially acropora and montipora, stability is key. Keeping the temperature within a half of a degree or so is key to reducing coral stress.

Ideal Temperature

There is not a specific temperature that is better than others for montipora care. That being said, maintaining a temperature that is ideal for a greater majority of coral would be best. For this reason, I recommend targeting a temperature between 77-79 degrees F.

Water Chemistry

Alkalinity

Like most SPS coral, Montipora coral thrive with stability, more so than an exact number. That being said, I have found that many of the most successful montipora coral reef keepers, such as those over at Frag Box, keep their alkalinity in the 7 to 8 dKh range.

You will want to measure alkalinity at least twice per week (before a water change and a day after a water change), but as much as once per day may be recommended when adding coral or changing parameters that may affect coral growth. I highly recommend using a Hanna Checker for frequent alkalinity monitoring.

Author's Note:

I am one who has maintained stable alkalinity at 11.2 dKh and thought all was well. I recently started to notice peeling in my SPS corals and in writing this guide, found higher alkalinity levels are a common stressors that causes STN and RTN. I have since started to lower my alkalinity, targeting 7.5-8.0 dKh.

Calcium

When it comes to Montipora Care, stability is key. Calcium levels are not as important as alkalinity stability, but you should try to maintain within about 10 or 20 ppm of your target calcium levels. The ideal calcium target is between 400-450 ppm. You should test calcium once every week or two. When testing Calcium, the Red Sea Calcium/Ca Pro Test Kit is one of the best when it comes to finding a sweet spot between accuracy and speed.

Magnesium

In Montipora Care, like most coral care, should focus on other parameters before magnesium. Maintaining a standard level around 1300ppm is ideal. If the level sways slightly, begin to make minor adjustments. Anywhere between 1200-1400ppm is acceptable. Measuring once every 2 to 4 weeks with a Red Sea Magnesium Pro Test Kit is usually sufficient.

Nitrates and Phosphates

Though you don't want to be absolutely zero on Nitrates or Phosphates, you also don't want to be too high either. The ideal levels for Nitrates is between 1 and 10 ppm. Phosphates should be roughly 0.01-0.05ppm.

The reason for having some nitrate and phosphates in your tank is due to research showing that coral need nutrients to enhance their growth and coloration. Too much of either, however, will slow growth and reduce coloration.

Flow

The flow for Montipora Care is another important factor. It brings the good chemicals to the montipora and removes the bad nutrients from the coral.

Montipora tend to prefer high flow, much like that of acropora. Though you should not place montis directly in front of powerheads because this can cause tissue in the coral to die off. Additionally, plating montipora can be pushed off of the rocks as they catch water underneath much like a kite or sail.

For more about Reef Aquarium Flow, visit my post on Reef Aquarium Flow.

Lighting

Like many other SPS coral, Montipora coral tend to thrive best under strong lighting. The most success for Montipora Care comes in between 200 and 300 par. When introducing new montipora, start with lower lighting locations, around 125-150 PAR, and work the coral upward to the desired point. Though a PAR level of 300 is optimal, there is a great deal of success with higher PAR levels as well.

For more about the different types of lighting, see the Reef Stable Saltwater Aquarium Lighting Guide.

Placement and Aggression

Like other SPS Coral Care, Montipora care involves high lighting and good flow. As such, mid-tank and up are generally targeted for montipora placement. There are a couple things to consider for different types of montipora however.

Monti Cap Placement

Plating montipora, or Monti Cap placement can prove to be tricky. These coral will create a shelf of these caps if placed over open water. Though tricky to mount, coral glues that dry quickly should suffice. Try not to place monti cap coral above other coral or a location where you would like other coral to be placed. As the monti cap coral grows, it may block light from reaching the corals below.

Encrusting Monti Placement

Encrusting montis grow outward in all directions and turn the rock they live on into a beautiful display. Placing encrusting montipora on flat or smooth surfaces will assist in optimal coral growth. Keep in mind that as the coral encrusts, that rock work will not be available for other coral placing.

Digi Montipora Placement

These montipora are more of a branching coral that build flat fin-like structures. The main consideration in placement is to avoid blocking lighting and water flow as it grows.

Feeding

According to an article on Tidal Gardens, montipora are not aggressive eaters. However, on occasion, good montipora care shows that they may need some feeding. After a period of time, should the monti lose coloration, it may need food.

Tidal Gardens recommends feeding montipora using amino acids and small zooplankton, such as rotifers and cyclops. Just having fish in the tank can also provide food as the monti will likely pick up small food particles from the water column.

Thoughts on Montipora Care from Tidal Gardens

Pests and Common Problems

Coral "Peeling" - STN and RTN

Slow Tissue Necrosis and Rapid Tissue Necrosis are when the skin on the SPS coral, such as an montipora, begin to peel off and die. When it comes to Montipora Care, it is important to stop any stressors that may cause STN and RTN before they occur. Frag Box has noticed that when caring for acropora, they see STN and RTN more commonly in tanks where the alkalinity is above 10dKh. This further empasizes keeping the home aquarium between 7 and 8 dKh.

If your alkalinity is at the high end of the spectrum, you can reduce the alkalinity by not dosing 2-part and allowing your coral to consume the alkalinity until it is at the desired level. You will want to measure alkalinity at least once, if not twice per day during this process. I highly recommend using a Hanna Checker for this.

Montipora Eating Nudibranchs

Montipora Eating Nudibranchs are small, snow white nudibranch. They are resiliant to many coral dips, and the eggs are nearly indestructable. Frequent coral dipping and custodial fish are the best way to handle these pests. Learn more about pests like Montipora Eating Nudibranchs.

Montipora Care Guide - Cheet Sheet

Temperature

• Between 77-79F, focusing on stability. Stay within 0.5F when possible.

Alkalinity

• Focus on stability, maintaining within 0.5 dKh
• Most success between 7-8 dKh

Calcium

• Focus on stability, within 25ppm.
• 400-450ppm is the ideal range.

Magnesium

• Between 1200-1400ppm. Targeting 1300ppm.

Nitrates and Phosphates

• Nitrates: 1-10ppm
• Phosphates: 0.01 - 0.05ppm

Lighting

• PAR values between 200 and 300.
• Blue and Actinic spectrum are best for color and growth.

Additional Coral Care Reading:

• Reef Stable - Acropora Care Guide
• Reef Stable - Montipora Care Guide
• Reef Stable - Euphillia Care Guide
• Reef Stable - Zoanthid Care Guide

Conclusion

This guide will be continuously updated as I learn more about Montipora Care and SPS coral care in general. If there is any information you would like to see that is not present, please reach out to reefstable.store@gmail.com and let me know! Happy Reefing!

References

• Saltwater Aquarium Blog - The Full Monty: Montipora Corals
• Frag Box - The secret to keeping Acropora and SPS
• Tidal Garden - Montipora Coral Care

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About the Author

John Krenzer

John is a Software Engineer with a passion for saltwater aquariums, as well as the founder and president of Reef Stable. He started in the aquarium hobby as a child with a 20 gallon freshwater aquarium. His interest in aquarium life grew and in 2008, John set up his first saltwater aquarium.

Today, John maintains a 120 gallon mixed reef aquarium as well as a 210 gallon aggressive species aquarium. These large tanks are contained within the same system, sharing a sump as a means to reduce total maintenance and increase total water volume.

John writes articles for the blog as a means to learn about more reef aquarium topics. These articles act as a reference for the readers as well as himself. John updates these articles frequently to provide additional information or make corrections as new information becomes available.

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