Good starter SPS under LED lights

[hobbes1]

I am finally getting close to the point that I would like to introduce my first SPS. I am still in the process of getting my phosphates down. I am almost there. I checked it today and I am at .05. I also had a bad issue with Hair Algae but it is almost all died off now. I will not be putting anything in till it is all gone.
The tank I have is 120 Gallons with Reef breeder Photon 48.

As of right now I only have some polyps, a few ricordea, a medium size leather, and mushrooms (which I wish I could get rid of some of them).

My questions are:
1. What is a good starter SPS that can do okay under LED lighting?
2. How long would I need my lights to stay on and under how much intensity?
3. With the coral that I listed, will these cause problems for the SPS?
4. With the perimeters listed below would SPS be okay?

Salinity - 1.025
Nitrate - 2.5
Phosphate - .05
Magnesium - 1400
Calcium - 480
Alkalinity - 8.4

Thank you!

 

[nemosworld]

Montipora
Birdsnest
Milli

Really any sps, your water quality will play a part in wether or not it turns brown or die.

 

[LoJack]

Pocillipora. It grows under any light. I have some at the top of the tank, some in the sand bed ... I swear, its like dandelions. I don't think I could kill it off if I tried.

 

[Wills612]

Pocillipora. It grows under any light. I have some at the top of the tank, some in the sand bed ... I swear, its like dandelions. I don't think I could kill it off if I tried.

X2, in the past mine has flourished, in less then idea conditions.

 

[Touring]

i guess the cheapest coral you can find.....but i dont think you can grow sps under led...

 

[Prochef176]

i guess the cheapest coral you can find.....but i dont think you can grow sps under led...

Really?

 

[hobbes1]

I will look into all of those. For the Pocillipora and Birdsnest, can someone tell me that has LEDs how long they leave their lights on and under how much intensity?

 

[Prochef176]

I will look into all of those. For the Pocillipora and Birdsnest, can someone tell me that has LEDs how long they leave their lights on and under how much intensity?

I have a pocillapora about midway up in the tank. I use a pre programmed setting from ecotech. I run the Radions at 60%. Lights come on at 12 and and are off at 9:30. Have had great growth an encrusting onto the base rock.

 

[Dillan]

i guess the cheapest coral you can find.....but i dont think you can grow sps under led...

I think you can or do i need glasses?

Hystrix under LED, thats a good starter

 

[saltyair]

lmao - that's a good one. My 180 must be a dream :clown:

i guess the cheapest coral you can find.....but i dont think you can grow sps under led...

 

[hobbes1]

Thanks Prochef I have my lights around that now but for a couple less hours. I will bump it up when it comes time.

 

[evolutionZ]

i guess the cheapest coral you can find.....but i dont think you can grow sps under led...

Under razor 160w 16k. before and after time span is around 2-3 months.









lets not talk about color, i do not have fantastic color, but growth is definitely there.:blown:

 

[Reef Bass]

With that leather I'd consider running carbon to soak up any turpins before introducing sps.

 

[ThreeMoneyJ]

Birdsnest and montipora grow very well under LED in my tank. 4 hour ramp up, 4 hours full power, 4 hour ramp down. AI Vega running 20% white and 60% blue.

Your parameters look ok for a start and easy sps.

With a 120 gal tank a few leathers can be ok. Run carbon to help.

 

[hobbes1]

Reef Bass, good to know about the carbon. I am currently running just GFO but will add a little carbon in there too.

Evolution, Very Nice! I know the LED vs Halide's is a battle that goes on at Reef Central. I don't doubt that coral probably does better under halides but I really don't want the added expense of higher electric bills and higher water temps. I am happy people have had success with LEDs. These lights sure beat my old Power compact lights. That's for sure

 

[doggydoc]

I believe I can grow SPS under Mitras LED lights.

 

[epicurus84]

Imho, where birthsnest said to need a lot of light. Under my LED's (pacific sun triton) they grow best at the lower regions of my tank.

Montipora's are always a good one to start off with. They don't die, but only brown out if not enough light.

 

[Ninja808]

Poccil and Stylo frags growing under LEDs with good polyp extensions.

 

[power boat jim]

Montis , pocilapora are good starters.....IMO LEDs are fine but mh will produce better color

Have you tried both? which LEDS did you use?

 

[scar79]

Get yourself a nice frag of monti cap. This has to be one of the hardiest SPS. Birdsnest is also a relatively good choice, however I think people tend to overestimate its hardiness because of how freaking fast it grows when it is happy.

As for the MH/LED debate, that's probably best for another thread as it can, has, and will be debated forever.