LPS/SPS Questions

[roushracer]

So now that my halide has been up and running for a week now, I want to start adding some nice corals. (lighting is new, but tank is well established)

What do I need to do to prepare for my first SPS?

I checked my levels, and everything looks great. Calcium is at 420 mg/L, and I assume that's good for SPS. I have all softies now, so I don't think I have much demand for calcium in my tank now.

Is there any one SPS/LPS that is best to start with? What should I look for when purchasing? I absolutely love hammers/frogspawn so I think I'll be looking for one of those, but as far as SPS, I'm a total noob and have no idea what to get.

I think that's it for now, any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks guys!

 

[murfman]

Get what you like, put them low in the tank and then move them up slowly to acclimate to the light.

 

[roushracer]

K. Assuming most LFS will have these under halides anyway, do I really need to put at the bottom? I have all my softies down low is why I'm asking.

I guess 150w DE halide can be pretty strong at only 6-8" away from top of LR compared to higer wattage at over a foot and a half away (just assuming from what I've seen at the LFS)

Anyone selling/trading SPS/LPS frags? I have some zoos and a devils hand I just fragged...

 

[murfman]

The reason you want it down low is your lights may be stronger than the LFS's lights, you dont want to bleach them.

 

[Conky]

My personal opinion would be to wait for a bit...allow things to equalize after the addition of a major source of energy (i.e. light). That being said, my personal experience is that Pocillopora, Montipora, Hydnophora and Pavona are good candidates as far as smaller polyped stuff goes. As far as larger=polyped specimens, Euphyllia, Galaxea, Caulastrea and Plero/Physogyra generally are pretty hardy and showy.

If your tank is full of soft corals, make sure you run lots of carbon. If things go afoul, you will never be able to put your finger on what exactly the problem is.

 

[Deuce67]

If you do sps, start off with an easy one like a montipora species. Digitatas are really easy and come in a variety of colors.

 

[roushracer]

Right on, thanks guys.

I do run carbon already 24/7, so maybe I'll just increase the amount a little.

 

[Huhhhhh]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9871555#post9871555 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Conky
Galaxeagenerally are pretty hardy and showy.

Unless you have abourt a sq. foot of space with nothing else in it I would stay away from these. Sweepers can be 10 in long and very agressive.

 

[roushracer]

Yeah, did some research and decided not to get one after about a week or so ago.

They sure look good though.