SPS beginner questions

[supersaltlick]

I was hoping to get some advice from the experts. I have had my 28g nanocube hqi up and running for about 3 years. I've kept mostly LPS with great success. I have also had 2 varieties of monti cap that have almost overrun my tank. I recently added a pink birds nest that shows lots of new growth in just 6 wks. I just trimmed back my montis to make room for more coral. I am interested in more SPS. I have a minimalist system (skimmerless, no reactors, dose homemade 2 part). My questions:

1. Are there any resources that you can point me toward that will break down the different SPS and their difficulty level/specific needs.

2. What do the different names mean (ORA, Tyree, etc)? I really am clueless on this.

3. What are some good beginner SPS? I like anything that has dramatic or sharply contrasted coloration.

I'm sure there is much more that I need to look at and I will probably think of more questions along the way.

Shawn

 

[MBIETZ]

1. not sure were to find that info
2. O.R.A. stands for ocean reefs & aquariums they aquaculture corals to help prevent ocean harvesting.
Tyree means they are Steve Tyree's LE coral
3. good begginer sps corals are monties and birstnest witch you already have you could try a cheap acro to see how it does then when you are ready you can get more colorful sps corals

 

[tripdad]

Shawn, the best thing you can do is to read,read,read. Get a book or two by the "experts", not sure if we can mention specific authors but look on the larger retailers websites under corals or reef tanks. There are also some amazing people and their tanks here on Reef Central. Look at there build threads and look for common things happening over and over, that's your clue as to what works. lot's of ways to succeed in this hobby including low tech ways. just pay attention to husbandry practices and I am sure you will be succesful. I started by buying in-expensive frags from others tanks, they are more forgiving as they are used to aquariums. Above all else have FUN!

 

[secrest]

You can always try getting your hands on some millepora's. They are a little on the easier side as far as acros go and they have some great colors.

As far as reading goes, I have always found reading through the build threads on here to be really informative. If you want an actual book, then I would suggest the Reef Aquarium vol 3.

 

[stevedola]

I think an easy beginner sps would be digitata. They can be an array of colors...not as dynamic as acropora but not as difficult. do a google search on ' hard coral species' and theres some good info to read.

 

[Reef Bass]

Montipora digitata would be a good addition and it comes in several colors.

 

[SeabassSA]

Montipora digitata would be a good addition and it comes in several colors.

Agreed. A really interesting one when it comes to growth pattern would be montipora confusa. Not sure about diff colours but I have this green one.

I love it.

 

[Reef Bass]

That is an interesting growth form! I also like M. spongodes for that reason.

 

[supersaltlick]

Thanks for all the info. Definitely helpful.