austenreefer
Active Member
Hi! I just got a new AI Prime and want to get into SPS corals. What do I need to know about these corals that are different from LPS?
SPS Corals
- Thread starter austenreefer
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Some are more sensitive to alk swings than many LPS, but overall parameters are basically the same. Generally they will need more flow than many LPS but if you have decent flow it will be fine. Nothing special overall; stability is key.
Daniel@R2R
Living the Reef Life
Yup
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austenreefer
Active Member
What is the best one to start with?
LilElroyJetson
Valuable Member
I think Montipora are a great hardy and easier to keep SPS for a first time SPS keeper.
Also, lighting intensity and spectrum are important for keeping SPS corals. Too intense and you can light shock them, too low and they will not thrive. You should research the individual SPS you intend to keep, see what the suggested PAR range for that species is, measure PAR in your tank to find appropriate placement, and then slowly acclimate from a lower intensity area in your tank to its final spot in your tank. You can borrow a PAR meter from a local reef club or buy one, but they get pricey. I used the Seneye Reef Monitor as my PAR meter and now keep it in the sump to monitor other parameters. Good luck!
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austenreefer
Active Member
I have an AI prime that I very much do not know how to use. My LFS told me that was the best light for my tank. Right now I have it on an easy setup schedule with a color I created but I know there’s probably better options.
LilElroyJetson
Valuable Member
I just noticed you're new here. Welcome to R2R!!
AI Primes are great lights. What size tank do you have? How many inches above the surface do you have the light mounted? Here's a really helpful thread to help you choose the light schedule for your Prime:
AI Prime HD Lighting Schedule
So I'm treating my nuvo fusion 10 to a AI Prime HD unit. Upgrade from the current usa pro I had. If I want to set the lights to run a 12 hour cycle that will start at 12 noon and go til around 11:30 p.m. (so I can enjoy the tank when I'm actually at home) what lighting schedule is best? Is...
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For future reference, I would take everything your LFS says with a grain of salt and always ALWAYS research everything for yourself here first. Your LFS may be knowledgeable but keep in mind they are also sales people and there is a solution or gadget that can be sold for every issue your tank is having, but you want to make informed decisions with the most knowledge possible to succeed long term in this hobby.
I also noticed in another thread you stated your tank is 3 months old. I would not add any SPS or livestock at all for that matter until you are regularly testing your key water parameters (at least once a week) and things have stabilized. When your liverock has purple coralline algae growing on it, I think that is a good time to start adding SPS. Any sooner when your tank has not yet stabilized, and more likely than not, those corals will be dead in no time. Your thread stating you have fish dying indicates your tank is far from mature and there may be much more concerning underlying issues, so I advise you get the basics in check first.
You should watch the BRS (Bulk Reef Supply) 52 Weeks of Reefing series on youtube, it's super informative and will get you up to speed with the fundamental concepts of every aspect of reef-keeping in no time, and its entertaining. Also, the sticky threads on here are immensely helpful and I suggest reading those as well.
We are all here to help so want to make sure you get started on the right foot so you last in this hobby longer than the average person does, which data shows is 1 year.
ANYTHING that has been around for a LONG time... E.G. Ora Red Planet, Green Slimer Acro, etc... And the best advice ever is STABILITY,STABILITY,STABILITY,STABILITY,STABILITY,STABILITY,STABILITY,STABILITY,STABILITY,... # 1 parameter to measure is ALK
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austenreefer
Active Member
I just noticed you're new here. Welcome to R2R!!
AI Primes are great lights. What size tank do you have? How many inches above the surface do you have the light mounted? Here's a really helpful thread to help you choose the light schedule for your Prime:
AI Prime HD Lighting Schedule
So I'm treating my nuvo fusion 10 to a AI Prime HD unit. Upgrade from the current usa pro I had. If I want to set the lights to run a 12 hour cycle that will start at 12 noon and go til around 11:30 p.m. (so I can enjoy the tank when I'm actually at home) what lighting schedule is best? Is...
For future reference, I would take everything your LFS says with a grain of salt and always ALWAYS research everything for yourself here first. Your LFS may be knowledgeable but keep in mind they are also sales people and there is a solution or gadget that can be sold for every issue your tank is having, but you want to make informed decisions with the most knowledge possible to succeed long term in this hobby.
I also noticed in another thread you stated your tank is 3 months old. I would not add any SPS or livestock at all for that matter until you are regularly testing your key water parameters (at least once a week) and things have stabilized. When your liverock has purple coralline algae growing on it, I think that is a good time to start adding SPS. Any sooner when your tank has not yet stabilized, and more likely than not, those corals will be dead in no time. Your thread stating you have fish dying indicates your tank is far from mature and there may be much more concerning underlying issues, so I advise you get the basics in check first.
You should watch the BRS (Bulk Reef Supply) 52 Weeks of Reefing series on youtube, it's super informative and will get you up to speed with the fundamental concepts of every aspect of reef-keeping in no time, and its entertaining. Also, the sticky threads on here are immensely helpful and I suggest reading those as well.
We are all here to help so want to make sure you get started on the right foot so you last in this hobby longer than the average person does, which data shows is 1 year.
1st off, thanks for the welcome I love it here! 2nd, the tank I was referring to was my girlfriends tank. My tank is a 13.5 fluval evo and Iv had it for 8 months (still might be to early but better than 3) also my light is maybe 5 inches about the tank.
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austenreefer
Active Member
Is
Also, is that purple algae the stuff that I always see growing on the back of people’s tanks?
Also, is that purple algae the stuff that I always see growing on the back of people’s tanks?
LilElroyJetson
Valuable Member
Glad you're enjoying the forum! A year is ideal but 8 months can be acceptable in an experienced reefer's tank where everything has somewhat stabilized, regular parameter testing is being done, and other measures are in place to maintain stability such as an auto top off for water evaporation and weekly water changes.
Yes, that's correct. Once theres a considerable amount of that purple coralline algae on the live rock, that is a good indication that calcification is occurring in your tank and thus stony corals should be able to grow.
JPergamo
Active Member
I'm at a point where I think the green slimer is the hardiest coral out there period. It's like a weed and will pretty much survive and grow in anything. I'm also a stick head though so I cant really compare to LPS or softies. As others have said, you want a flatline of stability on the major parameters and an established tank. With those 2 things sps are no harder to keep than any other type of coral.
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austenreefer
Active Member
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austenreefer
Active Member
What
Jeff Jarry reef
Valuable Member
Jeff Jarry reef
Valuable Member
One thing i have learned is stability and go slow dont hurry !
That you need 6 months to a year to start growing SPS. It keeps getting parroted with no evidence other than you will make mistakes when you first start out and lose a few.
Work on stability, keeping up with testing, maintenance, and DON'T mess with things often, just let it be.
Also, as I said before, green slimer, red planet, etc... Stuff that has been around and aquacultred for generations will be dang near bulletproof and will survive your mistakes (alk swings, nutrient spikes, etc)
