beginner SPS?

[Cutiewitbooty]

I am going to do a mostly SPS tank, but i want to start out with a easier one. What are some good ones, just to get my feet wet

 

[artful-dodger]

Montipora digitata is always an easy starting point--several color morphs are available, reddish orange, purple, etc.. Others that are similar in growth habit and requirements are "elkhorn" and hydnophora.

 

[atzak]

I agree about montipora digitad, I would also add pocillopra to the list

 

[RichConley]

Digi, but beware, some of the colors (purple, etc) are kind of tough, and require a TON of light.


Green and orange are EASY though.

 

[twon8]

i think it depends on the tank, i have seen pocillipora thrive under pc's. but i have some purple edge digi ( my first sps) that survived a tank crash, only stony to do so. i would start with whatever is the least expensive sps.

 

[The Marmot]

I ve been told that the "Bali Green Slimer" (Acro) is relatively hardy for an Acro...Its gonna be first my Acro attempt, I'm running 2X32 watts of PC on an 8 gallon tall. So far I have excellent polyp extension after about 10 days with the orange and green Monti Digi's I picked up last weekend, the SPS is kept about 6 inches below the light, in high flow.

 

[Ironman]

Always had good luck with digitatas even from the begining.

 

[Cutiewitbooty]

I was looking at the digitatas and there are so amny different kinds. I do have pretty good light though over 11watts per gal. Should they be placed higher to the metal halides or toward the middle?

 

[Ironman]

As long as they get plenty of direct light they will be fine.

All of my digits are about 2/3 of the way to the top of the tank under the halides and are doing very well.