Montipora Sunset: Color, Placement, and Care

Montipora Sunset is a fast-growing, encrusting SPS coral known for its bright orange base and contrasting polyps. It can quickly become a centerpiece if you give it the right light, flow, and stability.

Start by placing your frag in the mid to upper part of the rockwork. This coral likes:

• Moderate to high light (PAR ~200–350)
• Strong, random flow to keep detritus off and prevent tissue recession
• Stable alkalinity (8–9 dKH), calcium (420–450 ppm), and magnesium (1300–1400 ppm)

Dialing In Color and Growth

Sunset Montipora will tell you how it feels through its color and polyp extension:

• Pale or washed-out = too much light or low nutrients
• Brownish = excess nutrients or too little light
• Good color with fuzzy polyps = you’re in the sweet spot

Practical Tips for Everyday Care

• Acclimate to higher light over 1–2 weeks using a light acclimation mode or gradually moving the frag upward.
• Keep nitrates around 5–15 ppm and phosphates 0.03–0.08 ppm to avoid pale, starved tissue.
• Mount on a clean, stable rock surface; it encrusts quickly and can overgrow nearby slow growers.
• Test alkalinity at least 2–3 times per week; sudden swings are the fastest way to lose color.
• Use a gentle turkey baster blast once or twice a week to remove detritus and keep the surface clean.

Small, consistent adjustments beat big, sudden changes. If your Montipora Sunset looks off, tweak one parameter at a time and watch it for a week.