beginner lps and sps

[Camaro Show Corals]

so I want to do a sps and lps reef in my 29 biocube I plan on ordering online from cherry corals and wwc and also local, For lighting the tank has a hydro galaxy 165w led and for flow the tank has a ecotech mp10. I also bought the korallen zucht nano power pack. So what are some good beginner favias, chalices, acans and montipora and overtime id like to do some acropora.

 

[BigJim]

I had the most success early on with favias and euphyllia (torch, hammer and frogspawn). Chalices and acans were a little more difficult for me. I don't know if any favia or euphyllia is easier to keep than the others. They all have done well for me. I find encrusting montipora like sunset and rainbow do well. Red montipora capricornis are probably the easiest to keep. I would recommend starting with a few inexpensive ones as a test run.

 

[Camaro Show Corals]

I also plan on going to a frag workshop and raffle so hopefully I get some stuff to see how well they do.

 

[Mike Reef Addict]

Euphyllia are pretty easy IMO mine have already split and divided (frogspawn) I have a hammer that has doubled in size and an octofrogspawn that is doing well my candycanes are almost ready to frag one colony started with three heads an has 9 last count these have only been in the tank mabey 5 months now. LPS softy tank.

 

[Camaro Show Corals]

I really like rainbow monti too

 

[Camaro Show Corals]

bump

 

[Epicreefster]

All cheap montipora are fairly easy, hence why they are cheap to get frags of. The main advice I can give you is don't go over the top with water changes and low nutrient conditions. Middle of the road alk at 7.5-9, nitrates 1-10ppm and phosphates low but readable. Depends on the test but you want just readable phosphate, not non existent. Also 165w of led is rediculously high for a 29g. Turn them down to like 20% and move up a little each week till you see them pale out in the top of the tank then turn them down a little. If plating montipora grow in a cone they need more light, like lava flows less light, a fairly flat bowl and it's just right.

Euphylia hate low temperatures so keep it above 78. Most lps do ok with the low but detectable nutrient levels and lower light levels than the montis.

 

[brawthy]

Birdsnest, Stylophora, and Montipora are hardier sps that can do fine in a wide range of tanks (just make sure you're stable).

Torches, Frogspawn, Hammer, Grape and Bubble Coral are fun and easy lps.

 

[Camaro Show Corals]

thank you