LEDs and sps

[sredzins]

I took a gamble on some leds that my lfs promotes. They were also having a sale and I got 3 montipora frags for 7 bucks! One is digitata, another is a plating coral and the other is encrusting. My goal is to be able to keep acros. What is the lighting requirement differences between acro and monti? Are they that much more demanding? And I know every animal will be different but a generalization please

Sent from my XT907 using Reef2Reef Aquarium Forum mobile app

 

[Frick]

You can't really generalize the care for a Montipora compared to Acropora species. I suppose there would be more Acropora that need higher light but that is not to say they all do. Some Acropora need indirect light or lower a lower Kalvin of lighting. Most Montiporas are usually more sensitive to parameter changes, especially alkalinity.

If you would like to start out with some different Acropora colonies I suggest asking around as of what peple have had the best success with. Talk to people that have the same LED as yours and you will get more accurate examples. I have been using a variety of Kessils and have had great luck with many different SPS, Acropora and Montipora. My recommendations for first time Acropora would be; A. yongei (aka Green Slimer), A. millepora, A. granulosa, A. valida or A. nana(aka Tricolor), A. tenius, or A. aculeus (Candlelight variety).

 

[sredzins]

I know it is not always correct to generalize the care for a whole species, but I did not want to fork up the money for are really high end fixture. I posted this question because a worker at the lfs I frequent tried 2 fixtures of the led I use and all his acros started to die. I only use one fixture and my montiporas are doing just fine and growing.

Sent from my XT907 using Reef2Reef Aquarium Forum mobile app

 

[sredzins]

Thanks for the recommendations though. I would just hate to finally get into acros and have it not be able to survive. Its not a deep tank, only 18 inches. It might help to be noted that the worker from the lfs said he had his tank under mh lighting before the leds

Sent from my XT907 using Reef2Reef Aquarium Forum mobile app

 

[Coral Dreams]

sredzins what LEDS do you have?

 

[sredzins]

Ecoexotic panorama marine. I think I would get another fixture before I try acros. But I still don't know if that would be enough

Sent from my XT907 using Reef2Reef Aquarium Forum mobile app

 

[FishLipz]

Try a nice hardy, inexpensive, aquacultured piece. Like something from ORA (red planet, tri color valid, green slimmer). You could probably get one from a local reefer for minimal cost and see what happens. You might find they are just fine for acros.

 

[Mrfresh]

I feel like ur focusing a little to much on lighting.
I run LEDs on my tank and everything is fine. I used to have the low china grade leds on my tank before I bought the ai Vegas...
Just keep ur tank parameters right and don't worry about it
the corals will grow.

 

[sredzins]

I mean my impression of the problems with the leds keeping sps is from reading everything I can find online and I read a lot about people bashing just about anything besides radions and diy stuff. I'll buy a cheap acro and give it a show. That's what I did with other sps and have has growth so far. Thanks for the advise

Sent from my XT907 using Reef2Reef Aquarium Forum mobile app