Beginner SPS

[BrandonR]

I have been an LPS and Softy man for years. after staring at some tanks on here I am ready to take the plunge. I have started testing and keeping my ALK, MG, and CAL as well as started to run carbon and an algae reactor. My wife and I are going to our annual date trip to a South Carolina coral/fish show, and i really want to try some SPS. what are some easy ones to start with(other then birdsnest)? and if you had pics that would be great! to be honest I still only see colorful sticks

Thank you in advance!

 

[John3]

Orange montipora cap has been easy for me. Not sure if that’s the type of sps you like or not. I have mostly lps and softies so I don’t keep my nutrients as low as the guys running mostly sps.

 

[BrandonR]

Orange montipora cap has been easy for me. Not sure if that’s the type of sps you like or not. I have mostly lps and softies so I don’t keep my nutrients as low as the guys running mostly sps.

thanks, I do like Monti's. I think I will be going along the same path. clean but not perfect. because i will never give up my LPS.

 

[SDReefer]

Most Montipora (digitata, capricornis, undata, confusa) and Pocillipora species are hardier and better for beginners.

 

[BrandonR]

Most Montipora (digitata, capricornis, undata, confusa) and Pocillipora species are hardier and better for beginners.

Thank you! i have written these down in a notebook to take. Now here is the newbie question. What is the easiest way to tell the difference?

 

[SDReefer]

To distinguish between Montis and Pocillopora, you can look at the polyp to see.

Pocillopora:

Montipora:

I know that this can be confusing, but if you ask the vendor which type it is, they should easily identify it. Also, Stylophora is another easy species to keep and looks very similar to Pocillopora.

As for telling between different types of Montipora, it will be hard since the easiest way is to look at the growth structure and you most likely will be looking at a small frag of the original colony. If you ask the vendor, they should easily tell you.

 

[BrandonR]

Great!

Thank you!

 

[SDReefer]

Good luck!!! If you've been keeping LPS and softies for years and your nitrates are low (5-10 ppm), everything should go well! Make sure that you dip your corals before putting them into your display tank since there are a variety of nasty pests that can come on frags.

Here's some videos and great channels to check out:

 

[drawman]

Orange montipora cap has been easy for me. Not sure if that’s the type of sps you like or not. I have mostly lps and softies so I don’t keep my nutrients as low as the guys running mostly sps.

I will say there has been a shift in philosophy for many reefers keeping SPS. You will see a lot of gorgeous tanks with higher NO3 and PO4 levels. The key here is great husbandry with good skimming and low detritus levels.

Back to OP. Montis and Pocilloporas are generally easier. The problem with both is that they can take over a tank quickly and may become somewhat of a nuisance for experienced SPS keepers. I tend to think Stylophoras are also relatively easy and you will be able to find some easier acros once you take the plunge.

To make things easier on yourself I would keep Alkalinity in the lower range (say 6-9dKH), Calcium high (400-450ppm), and Magnesium stable (1280-1400 lets say). The key here is stability and for this the MOST important by far is Alkalinity. Good luck!

 

[sstanley223]

Stylophora

 

[BrandonR]

Good luck!!! If you've been keeping LPS and softies for years and your nitrates are low (5-10 ppm), everything should go well! Make sure that you dip your corals before putting them into your display tank since there are a variety of nasty pests that can come on frags.

Here's some videos and great channels to check out:

great watch! thank you!

 

[BrandonR]

I will say there has been a shift in philosophy for many reefers keeping SPS. You will see a lot of gorgeous tanks with higher NO3 and PO4 levels. The key here is great husbandry with good skimming and low detritus levels.

Back to OP. Montis and Pocilloporas are generally easier. The problem with both is that they can take over a tank quickly and may become somewhat of a nuisance for experienced SPS keepers. I tend to think Stylophoras are also relatively easy and you will be able to find some easier acros once you take the plunge.

To make things easier on yourself I would keep Alkalinity in the lower range (say 6-9dKH), Calcium high (400-450ppm), and Magnesium stable (1280-1400 lets say). The key here is stability and for this the MOST important by far is Alkalinity. Good luck!

I have been doing my homework and I feel my numbers are right in line. It helps my current tank has been stable for the last 2 years, so definitely no new tank issues. I have been monitoring my big three for the last two weeks and have been very consistent(with BRS additives) Alk-8.7 Ca-440, and Mg- 1290 ish(this has been the toughest for me to keep stable) before I started running carbon and very consistent WC's my NO3 and NO4 levers were much higher. they have since started to move down. I do want to keep them up a little as I will want a mixed reef. I am very thankful for the good advice. I am starting to think I am ready.

 

[KMench]

I would think you are fine to start based on your numbers and tank age! My tank is only 10 months old and I have a variety of SPS.

 

[FlyinBryan]

Stay away from pocilapora! It sends out their seeds and it starts growing new frags every where!

I have 20+ of these throughout my tank!

 

[BoomCorals]

Yea I would avoid pocilloporas personally. From an acropora standpoint I consider most stags and some torts to be decently hardy. I also have an acro called cliffs acro that is quite hardy. Make sure you’re getting aquaculture pieces. Mariculture or wild pieces are more difficult.

 

[BrandonR]

Yea I would avoid pocilloporas personally. From an acropora standpoint I consider most stags and some torts to be decently hardy. I also have an acro called cliffs acro that is quite hardy. Make sure you’re getting aquaculture pieces. Mariculture or wild pieces are more difficult.

Great tips! I haven't even considered that variable. i will have to wonder to your site to see what I can find

 

[Lousybreed]

Good luck. I love montis for beginners. Almost any of them. And to the point about montis taking over a tank, it’s nothing that a small stainless tool can’t remove. Some advice for montis is to put the frag on a smaller rock. Let it encrust the small rock. I also highly suggest to make sure your fuge is getting good light and flow through it. Cheato is the best macro to grow. It consumes the least amount of macro and micro nutrients. Make sure you have good flow in your tank. Some acros that in my opinion are easy to grow are GARF Bonsai and strawberry shortcake. Tricolor valdalia is easy too. With constant alk, good flow, and good lighting; most acros aren’t too hard.

 

[Lousybreed]

Cheato depletes the least amount of elements I should say. It absolutely sucks up ammonia and nitrates.

 

[BrandonR]

thank you. I just looked up Garf bonsai and that would be a nice piece. I am running an alge reactor with Chateo in it. flow is good. I am going to put them at the top of my rock work on the side next to my Gyre 230, if I decide to get more SPS I will add another for more cross flow.

 

[Devan Petersen]

+1 on Stylo and Pocilapora also Seriatopora is pretty hardy.