Easiest SPS is monti caps. You can start with orange cap. I have a BC14 (with LED) and I have orange cap growing like mad. I need to trim mine now. I also have blue tort, red planet, tricolor valida and stylophora. Orange cap is the fastest grower and best color.
Advice wanted on SPS Corals
Hey guys, so I'm new to this site and I have a 29G BioCube HQI (I will post some pics up here shortly) and I am looking into getting some SPS coral.. I have around 12 different types of LPS in my tank and all are doing amazingly, LPS really seems to grow well in my tank. I really want to make the jump to some SPS but don't know where to start... Any thoughts or personal opinions on what SPS corals are good to start with?
Thanks everyone!
:victory:
Thanks everyone!
:victory:
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
orange digi and green slimer are also easy beginner sps.
Are Green Digitate Acropora Coral Fiji relatively easy or does it have to be the orange digi? I'm only asking because I am trying to add some more green, blues or purples to my tank...
One thing to consider, just my opinion, if you are going to do a monti cap, get a nice Leng Si or purple, or something with green base/purple polyps. It is going to grow huge and be a center piece so you may as well spend the extra $10 up front and get something unique.
At some point you are going to have to trim it and you really can't give orange cap away. Or get a frag of orange and one of the others and glue them up, they make a great combo and I just think the purple or Leng looks better than the orange. Everyone has orange cap (or did):victory:
At some point you are going to have to trim it and you really can't give orange cap away. Or get a frag of orange and one of the others and glue them up, they make a great combo and I just think the purple or Leng looks better than the orange. Everyone has orange cap (or did):victory:
Acropora are the most difficult sps. I would try one of the suggested montis first, like the caps.Are Green Digitate Acropora Coral Fiji relatively easy or does it have to be the orange digi? I'm only asking because I am trying to add some more green, blues or purples to my tank...
.
Here is what order of things I treat as most important in keeping SPS.
1. Perfect Water
2. Flow - Very High flow.
3. Light
4. Parasite/Predator mitigation
And you will be successful.
Here is what order of things I treat as most important in keeping SPS.
1. Perfect Water
2. Flow - Very High flow.
3. Light
4. Parasite/Predator mitigation
And you will be successful.
+1 I also agree with Michelle. Start with a monti cap as a beginner SPS coral prior to placing any acropora in your tank. You have quite a few options with caps. From the cheap orange cap (Free in some cases) all the way up to the Reef Raft Pink/Orange/ with blue-ish polyps cap ($100 per 1")Here is what order of things I treat as most important in keeping SPS.
1. Perfect Water
2. Flow - Very High flow.
3. Light
4. Parasite/Predator mitigation
And you will be successful.
To ensure perfect water, your very first step should be to pick up some test kits. You will need to ensure you have low levels of Nitrate and Phosphate. You will also need to test your Ca, Mg, and Alk levels.
Strong flow, but not direct. Too much strong flow can cause slow tissue recession and stunted growth.
With an HQI MH, you should have sufficient lighting.
Perform some research on Coral Dips. I use Coral Rx, but some folks swear by the new Bayer approach.
Good luck!
James
"Perform some research on Coral Dips. I use Coral Rx, but some folks swear by the new Bayer approach."
Good luck!
James
I only use Bayer now, for the past 18 months have not used anything else. I have a berand new full bottle of concentrated Coral Rx ($80) and I don't even need it. google or search here for Bayer dip, it is awesome and cheap. I have never lost a single coral using this method
Good luck!
James
I only use Bayer now, for the past 18 months have not used anything else. I have a berand new full bottle of concentrated Coral Rx ($80) and I don't even need it. google or search here for Bayer dip, it is awesome and cheap. I have never lost a single coral using this method
5. is nutrients - You need to find the balance. To clean of a tank will cause ugly white corals. Too high will result in Brown corals.+1 I also agree with Michelle. Start with a monti cap as a beginner SPS coral prior to placing any acropora in your tank. You have quite a few options with caps. From the cheap orange cap (Free in some cases) all the way up to the Reef Raft Pink/Orange/ with blue-ish polyps cap ($100 per 1")
To ensure perfect water, your very first step should be to pick up some test kits. You will need to ensure you have low levels of Nitrate and Phosphate. You will also need to test your Ca, Mg, and Alk levels. Strong flow, but not direct. Too much strong flow can cause slow tissue recession and stunted growth.
With an HQI MH, you should have sufficient lighting.
Perform some research on Coral Dips. I use Coral Rx, but some folks swear by the new Bayer approach.
Good luck!
James
I found thaT the advantage with Bayer is that it kills both FlatWorms and Redbugs or anything with a centeral nervous system. It is also much cheaper. You just need to follow a process not to get it in the display as it will destory your crabs and snails. I have dipped every coral that I have multipule times as I have moved between tanks so many times. Never had an issue and the coral opens up immediatly after.
I have had bad luck with Coral RX expecially with Deep Water Acros.
You'll want to get a bluer bulb when you change for some better colors.
Ya, I told her she needs more like a 14 or 20k bulb.
Jenna, I can give you a frag of blue chalice. It's pretty easy to keep and has a great blue color.
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Michigan Reefers
Michigan Reefers is dedicated to the marine reef aquarium hobby. Learn more about reef aquariums and maintenance, and view our large collection of coral and marine fish photos.
Full Forum Listing
