Beginner SPS

[tinmanny]

What would be a safe easy SPS to start with I have a
90dt
30sump with skimmer and plenty of water flow
6t5 lights with moons

any suggestions of what ones are easier and what they need would be appreciated

Also would appreciate if someone could point me in the right direction of a good book about soft and hard coral care and feeding
Thanks in advance
Manny

 

[Rosseau]

monti caps and birdsnests are generally considered to be easier to keep.

 

[Craig Lambert]

millipora, Green Slimer, in addition to the ones Rosseau mentioned. Go for "Aquacultured" rather than wild colonies. They have a better success rate. Be sure to acclimate them to your lighting by starting them low in the tank and then moving them up over a couple of weeks. Also, be sure to have good flow. 40x turnover or higher.

 

[Snowboarda42]

1. What type of turnover do you have? (20x per hour is minimum)
2. What wattage lighting?
3. How far from surface are the lights?
4. Water Params - Phosphate, Nitrate, Calcium, Alk, ph
5. How often do you do water changes?

I'd look at Bali Green Slimers, Monti Cap, and Birdsnest. Those are usually the easier SPS to take care of.

 

[tinmanny]

thanks

thanks

so far I have a green monti and it is growing about 3/16-1/4 in 3-4 weeks and I have a orange monti just got it and it is doing well for a week old would like to try birds nest they look cool thought green slimer was easy due to all of the posts
PH 8.1
nitrate 0
Amonia 0
sal 1.26
phos .1
calcium 460
I have learned a lot about how to controll the peramiters after a overwhelming amout of green hair algae. I think the best lesson is that you don't just add because others do but if you need to then find out why in the long run it is cheaper to fix than cover a problem

 

[tinmanny]

turnover

turnover

900 return 450 little giant 600 pond pump behind rock and over top 140 in corner 160 across
2250 total turnover

Manny

 

[ReefEze]

The Natural Reef Aquarium

would be a good book to check out

 

[Craig Lambert]

Re: thanks

Re: thanks

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11306682#post11306682 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tinmanny
so far I have a green monti and it is growing about 3/16-1/4 in 3-4 weeks and I have a orange monti just got it and it is doing well for a week old would like to try birds nest they look cool thought green slimer was easy due to all of the posts
PH 8.1
nitrate 0
Amonia 0
sal 1.26
phos .1
calcium 460
I have learned a lot about how to controll the peramiters after a overwhelming amout of green hair algae. I think the best lesson is that you don't just add because others do but if you need to then find out why in the long run it is cheaper to fix than cover a problem

You need to monitor Alkalinity and Magnesium as well. Alk being the most important parameter of all.

 

[tinmanny]

thanks reefeze I will chech it out
craig
what should my alk be

 

[arts007]

Monti Digitata is a good choice as well

 

[kawicivic]

jumping on the band wagon... green slimer and a birdsnest were my first two sps corals. Both are doing great!

 

[skinz78]

A great book is aquarium corals by Eric Borneman

 

[Craig Lambert]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11308143#post11308143 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tinmanny
thanks reefeze I will chech it out
craig
what should my alk be

ALK 7-11 dKH
Mag 1200-1350
Cal 400-450

With alk, lots of people shoot for 9-10 dKH.

You will want to monitor ALK, Calcium, and Magnesium. Your tank's daily uptake of Alk, and Calcium will increase as you add additional sps. Mag depleates alot slower. If you are not using a calcium reactor, you will want to dose a 2 part solution like b-ionic daily, based upon your tank's useup rate. Once you determine how much Alk, and Calcium you use, this calculator can be used in order to determine how much Kalk, or 2 part solution you need to dose on a daily basis. (click on the "traditional" icon).

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

 

[hyperfocal]

Psammocora and Pocillopora are pretty tough. I couldn't keep a Birdsnest to save my life until I got my flow up over 40x.