frogspawn, torch, or hammer?

[gusmanda]

Out of these three, which one would be best to start with? Ilike all three but have no experience with LPS. I currently have zoo's, toadstool, and glove coral. Is calcium and alkalinity the only two extra parameters I should be very attentive to? Or should I test magnesium as well? Current calcium level is 360, alkalinity is 14.1.

 

[lvreefer]

I would boost your calcium up to 400. Magnesium is a definite yes if your tank requires it. I also believe that anything that is added should be tested. How else would know how much to add? Back to your main question, any one of those LPS would be fine as long as it is healthy.

 

[amaya]

get your cal up 400-450 alk is a little high

 

[gusmanda]

Theoretically speaking, if I add enough calcium to reach 400-450, will it remain the same until I add calcium consuming corals? Is coraline algae an indicator? Someone suggested I first get conditions for coraline algae to thrive before attempting any LPS.
Follow up question, are branching more delicate than non-branching?

 

[raoul]

I was just reading about these the other night. We've had what we thought was a hammer for over a year now, but now we don't think it's a hammer, torch, or frogspawn, its definately in the Euphyllia family though, either cristata or glaber something or other. ANYWAY...
What I learned last night from reading one of Eric Borneman's papers was this:

1. He said branching wasn't as hardy as the wall variety.
2. He also noticed that while hammers, frogspawn, and others get along fine with others of their kind the torch variety DOES NOT play well with other Euphyllia.

I thought these were interesting finds that you might find helpful.

Good luck!

 

[jadette]

Torches seem the most susceptible to brown jelly disease. Of the three, my frogspawn was the easiest to acclimate, grew the fastest, and was disease-free. Just wish my true percs would leave him alone!

 

[toddman74]

Agree with jadette... to with frogsprawn first.
I think your clowns like the sprawn nest... nothing wrong with that.

 

[dendro982]

Frogspawn and hammers (all branching) were very hardy in my far from perfect conditions, either will work. Clown pays no attention and hosts fluffy stone.
I like much better neon-green candycane - much brighter, not harasses neighbors, easy in any way.
Raise Ca to 400-420 ppm (are you using IO? Then add to newly prepared water), if you have good pH and a lot of coraline - Mg, probably, is OK. Alkalinity is high, but it will drop with time, and these corals are quite hardy.