Beginning SPS's

[cwklinge]

I've had my tank up and running for 2 years and I'd like to start adding a few sps's to my tank. Here is what I have.

55 gallon tank
80 LBS live Rock/DSB
6-1 euroreef skimmer
2 250W 10,000 Reeflux MH
4 65W PC's
Closed loop for circulation
Geo Nielson and Calcium reactors
All tank parameter are good

It's a mixed reef right now with a few softies (Ricordia's, Zoo's) LPS's (Brain's, Frogspawn's) and all are thriving. As I've said in my subjest I'd like to start with a few of the easier SPS's and move up from there. Any suggestions? Should I buy frag or whole colonies?

Chris

 

[mntl]

start with frags, try some montipora first encrusting or caps and see how they do. Acro's like Green slimers tend to be very easy. Also birds nests tend to be easy to maintain.

--John

 

[cwklinge]

Any beginner advise?

 

[MiddletonMark]

I'd also go with the Montiporas, Pocillapora, and maybe a few hardy Acro [like the green slimer].

IMO, grow exclusively from frags until you're positive you've got it down for 6 months.

As for advice on keeping them - check the sticky at the top of this forum. The `lets talk about' threads should be required reading

 

[mntl]

they need to be in an area where there is flow but not being blasted. Start them around the bottom/mid tank until they get acclimated, if they slowly turn white move them to lower light. The biggest thing is find where you want them and leave them alone, they seem to take off much more quickly when can get use to a set light cycle coming from the same directing, if you move them alot different parts will get more/less light and it will not start growing quickly until it adapts (every time you move it, it will need to re-adapt). If your parameters are good I think you will be amazed how quicly these things will grow, stability tends to be better than perfection. Also give them room from other lps/softies if they touch or are too close sps tend to lose most wars..

--john

 

[cwklinge]

Thank! I'll read the "lets talk about thread" Anything I should look for when buying a frag? Should I stay away from brown outs? Sorry for all the questions. I've been pretty successful so far but al ot of that has been due to lots of inquires and taking things very slow.

 

[OCDP]

I agree with everyone else.. start off with some montipora digitata or something... easy to keep, very easy IMO. If I can do it, you can do it I have all my SPS in a 20g too. Everything is happy and healthy... and obviously, growing.

Cheers,
Scott