Adding First SPS

[jasert39]

Getting back into the hobby, I've had my tank up and running for approximately 2 months. Planning for a sps dominated tank, I know the usual progression is to start off with easy corals, then work my way towards sps, however I don't have to have to deal with removing softie and lps corals that I don't want in my tank for the long run. I have had a few zoa frags in there for about 2 weeks that look great.

Is there any reason why I cannot start putting in sps frags now? Thinking of starting with some easier monti/birdsnest.

Thanks.

 

[murphreef]

I would start with what you mentioned.

They are some of the easier ones to deal with.

 

[DivingTheWorld]

Start with easier stuff like Birdsnest and Montis. Your tank is very young though and it's going to be tricky until your tank is seasoned. Plan to supplement until your tank is seasoned and things like Acropower and various coral foods will help. Expect to have some losses and know that things will level out around 1 year.

 

[jda]

You can. Just get some cool montis.

The best thing to do is just wait. Once your tank is growing coralline like crazy and has pods everywhere, you can get a lot of different kinds of SPS.

I have a no Monti (except for Leng Sy), Poci or Birdsnest policy. Birdsnest is the Xenia of SPS - most people hate it after a while if they get into the more difficult SPS and they end up removing it to have more tank space for cooler stuff. Montis are the mushrooms - most are kinda lame after a while, but there are a few really cool ones like Leng Sy = Jawbreaker or some of the Undatas (beach bum) being like a OG Bounce. Poci is like clove polyps - if you are any good at reefing, they will spawn, take over everything and make you want to reboot your tank.

I might suggest some easier acros like most of what ORA sells - these you can start with and keep for a long time. ANT Insigns is a really easy coral that is beautiful. Blue Tort is nice. Miami Orchid. Some planas can be really beautiful and easy. TriColor Valida and Chips are nice too. These should reasonably priced and easy to get if you have other reefers around you (just be sure and dip).

I would wait a year before spending too much money on Milles, Deepwaters, Loripes, Granulosa, Lokani, Soli, Echinata. If you can get some for cheap, then go for it. The smooth skinned ones as just not as tolerant to changes that are common in early tank life (less than a year, or so).

 

[murphreef]

^ agreed with above totally, I have a 4 month old tank now and got my hands on some cheap sps early on and the only ones that have really survived are the monti's so far. LPS and Softies no problem but totally for got how sensitive SPS are to new tanks conditions.

Been a while since I was in the hobby. So now I am waiting a few more months let the montis grow and then once I see everything is super stable I will go get some SPS again.

Good luck

 

[jasert39]

Thanks for the insight, I'm in no real rush to get the tank full of corals. Just curious if there was any real downside in getting some frags in there. I don't want to spend money on corals that are less than likely to survive.