Aquascape Height for SPS Corals

[Hair Algae Wizard]

Folks,

Quick question - How how do you make your aquascape for your SPS corals? My tank is 24", and my lights (Radion) will be about 8-9" above the water line.

How high should I build, for the corals to thrive?

Thanks!

 

[Waters]

Folks,

Quick question - How how do you make your aquascape for your SPS corals? My tank is 24", and my lights (Radion) will be about 8-9" above the water line.

How high should I build, for the corals to thrive?

Thanks!

I would have your scape set up with varying heights across the tank. You can utilize the lower levels for coral that need less light and the higher areas for high light loving SPS (plus it is more pleasing to the eye). There really is no limit to the height of the rock....some people have the rock breaking the surface of the water.

 

[Bbfishb81]

One thing to watch for is the height, and type of lights from where you get your sps. If they are not used to your lights, they can burn us yours are stronger, or vise versa. Flow is important with sps as well. Moat prefer heavier flow.

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

Your tendency will be to fill the empty space with rock because, well, you want something to look at! I had to go back and redo my height once my acros started growing out and lower the rock to give them space. Vary the height, but in a 24" tall tank I would make my rock work no higher than between 1/2 and 2/3 of the visible space.

 

[AdamB]

Your tendency will be to fill the empty space with rock because, well, you want something to look at! I had to go back and redo my height once my acros started growing out and lower the rock to give them space. Vary the height, but in a 24" tall tank I would make my rock work no higher than between 1/2 and 2/3 of the visible space.

Agreed , I had to move my birds nest and especially Montipora digitalis ( grew quick)

 

[Hair Algae Wizard]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the feedback!

 

[2Wheelsonly]

Another important thing to think about is that when you have rock work higher than 2/3 of the water height the SPS corals will grow out more than up which means they form one giant SPS table umbrella over the corals below it. Happened to me, even branching corals started growing wide; made for an aquascape nightmare for me. I started losing nice SPS corals below the top ones.