Beginners SPS

C

CarolynM

Well I'm venturing into the sticks and stones side of reefing (ouch my wallet is going to hurt really bad).

I'm successfully keeping Montipora Caps and Birdsnest and a staghorn frag.

I'd like to acquire some more easy SPS at the frag swap -what are some I should look out for? I have 6x54w T5's over a 90 gallon.

Are there any good sites for difficulty ratings? I was looking at Liveaquaria and noticed that they had Birdsnest labeled as difficult and from what I've heard they are one of the easiest -so I don't think their ratings are very reliable.

Thanks
 
I find this to be a decent high level care guide
http://www.extremecorals.com/pages.php?pagename=coralcare
 
from an over all coral care perspective most all sps will be in the advanced range. But of the sps, I suggest montiporas (digi's and caps), the green slimer, and some other stags to be good starters. It also seems that if you can get a third or forth (or higher) generation of captive raised you are far more likely to be successful regardless of the type.
 
Thanks Peter that's what I'm finding tough deciphering most SPS are generically lumped as Advanced on care guides but I know some are much more challenging than others.

I've also read that SPS do not like leathers -does this mean no leathers in the SPS tank or does it mean not close to the SPS? I've currently got leathers and do not want to create coral warfare.
 
carolyn if you want i have a frag of true red digitata if you want to trade for that fish feeder
 
As you look at this specific page, you can click on any image to get more infomation about the coral's needs. It isn't an official guideline but rather more of my personal experiences with these corals.

http://www.melevsreef.com/id/sps.html

Pocillopora is another good starter SPS.
 
@Marc wrote:
Pocillopora is another good starter SPS. said:
agreed - it's a very good one to start with - I can provide you with some of this as indicated in the DFWMAS coop.

I think in general all softies (mostly leathers & mushrooms) use chemical warfare. I don't have leathers but Marc has a huge one in his tank. I think the secret weapon is using good fresh carbon 24/7 to knock down what the softies put out.
Click to expand...
 
@psteeleb wrote:
[I]@Marc wrote:[/I][quote=" Pocillopora is another good starter SPS. said:
agreed - it's a very good one to start with - I can provide you with some of this as indicated in the DFWMAS coop.

"]

Agreed also... I bought a small frag from the LFS that had come off a RTNing colony. Its doubled in tips and is flourishing with T5s. It even has a small BTA parked nearby that isn't bothering it at all.
Click to expand...
 
I was thinking about starting a 40 gallon tank with corals, which would be the first reef tank I've ever had, and I really want to try sps. More specifically, I was looking at pretty much duplicating this ( http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=87201&hl=lagoon&st=0 ) but with liveaquairia.com's lalo live rock instead of base rock. My real question here, though, is would the light he lists there be strong enough for SPS or would I need a MH light? If I get a MH, do you think I'd have heat issues (and thus have to get a chiller?)

Of course, the biggest question I have is: If I've only ever done FOWLR before should I even try SPS or would I be setting myself up for failure?
 
One of the issues with Leathers and SPS is that leathers shed their skin on a regular basis. If this goes floating around in the tank and wraps around an SPS is will smother it. You must make sure that you have heavy, random flow patterns to help prevent this from happening.

I have a fairly large Devils Hand in my tank and to my knowledge it has not been an issue. (I say that with tongue in cheek, it could have very well been the cause of some recent losses as well)

Pocillapora, Stylophora, Montipora, Seriatopora, Hydnophora, Pavona all are on the lesser end of experience needed. A few Staghorn and Torte corals can also fall in this category.

(The torte is the exception to the rule in the case of Marc's success rate. )
 
Seiryu, As noted in another thread it is all about PAR/PUV. You can keep SPS with PC/T5 lighting. You just have to have enough of it. I know of at least one member that has nothing but T5 lighting and has some very nice SPS corals.

While I did not read the whole thread you linked. I do believe with MH heat could be an issue (I will find out this summer as I just put a MH on my 24g cube). However as long as you have good water movement and preistine water conditions I believe it can be done.

Now as for diving right in from FOWLR, I would progress up through the process first. Start small and with easier corals, like Monti Caps.
 
@slallen wrote:
(The torte is the exception to the rule in the case of Marc's success rate. ) said:
And slimers. :shock:
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top