SPS Growth pics...

[EllisJuan]

I just took the plunge into SPS about a month ago, so I do not know if this is good, average, or poor. 21 days under Reef Radiance Lumentek 240 LED lights...

 

[EllisJuan]

Any opinions? Are the lighter tips on the Green Slimer normal?

 

[msderganc]

It doesn't look amazing to me, but not bad either. Usually corals will encrust before they grow out, so watch the bases as well.

 

[Wills612]

I think that's pretty good growth for 3 weeks. Keep it up.

 

[sahin]

I agree. That's good. Also seems to me that coral 1 and 3 appear more colourful. Keep up the good work.

 

[shih87]

It looks pretty normal to me and definitely not a bad thing. Photo taken from same angle and same size is very helpful for us to read and compare, thank you.

 

[ReeferKimberly]

They all look great and the birdsnest grew a nice amount in such a short period

 

[EllisJuan]

Thanks guys! I am really becoming fond of SPS. I just added some Pearlberry and Pink Lemonade to the tank today. I can't wait for all of this stuff to start growing out.

 

[shih87]

Thanks guys! I am really becoming fond of SPS. I just added some Pearlberry and Pink Lemonade to the tank today. I can't wait for all of this stuff to start growing out.

Just a friendly reminder...
I would suggest adding SPS slowly like 2 ~3 SPS once. It take time to acclimate and exam AEFW/eggs anyway. I heard many bad results when adding a bunch in once.

 

[EllisJuan]

Just a friendly reminder...
I would suggest adding SPS slowly like 2 ~3 SPS once. It take time to acclimate and exam AEFW/eggs anyway. I heard many bad results when adding a bunch in once.

Thanks. You say to only add 2-3 pieces at once, which is what I have been doing. But, how often do you add pieces? A couple of pieces a week?

 

[Oldude]

The frags look healthy and are coloring up. Both important pieces of the sps equation.

 

[shih87]

Thanks. You say to only add 2-3 pieces at once, which is what I have been doing. But, how often do you add pieces? A couple of pieces a week?

In real practice, due to SPS sources are limited in Taiwan, I usually add new coral every 2~4 weeks or even longer. However, I think if I live in US with many LFS around, I might add coral every other week.

Maybe other reefers can provide their opinions.

 

[ChadRaay86]

In real practice, due to SPS sources are limited in Taiwan, I usually add new coral every 2~4 weeks or even longer. However, I think if I live in US with many LFS around, I might add coral every other week.

Maybe other reefers can provide their opinions.

Depends on where you get them from. I put about 20 in at once albeit it was a big tank (300) and all of them came from the most quarantined system on earth

I'd say take care and add only what you really want to see grown out. There's only so much space in a tank, you'd hate to fill it up to fast

 

[EllisJuan]

I'd say take care and add only what you really want to see grown out. There's only so much space in a tank, you'd hate to fill it up to fast

Thanks, that is good advice that I had not really considered. I could see myself just adding blah pieces because they were inexpensive and I wanted to fill my tank, then regretting it later when it is grown out, there is no room, and something spectacular comes along.

 

[ChadRaay86]

Thanks, that is good advice that I had not really considered. I could see myself just adding blah pieces because they were inexpensive and I wanted to fill my tank, then regretting it later when it is grown out, there is no room, and something spectacular comes along.

You're welcome I'm already there with my 300. I want to have enough space to let it grow out perfectly and I only have a few really good spots left, but there's so many beautiful corals!!! Start putting together your list of must haves now and then pick them up over time.

I'll start you off

Purple Monster
Oregon Tort
Red Dragon
Strawberry Shortcake
Acroberry
Hawkins Echinata
Red Planet
Bali Green Slimer
Ice Fire Echinata
Pro Corals Rainbow Acro
and any of the 100 cool millis out there!

 

[sahin]

You're welcome I'm already there with my 300. I want to have enough space to let it grow out perfectly and I only have a few really good spots left, but there's so many beautiful corals!!! Start putting together your list of must haves now and then pick them up over time.

I'll start you off

Purple Monster
Oregon Tort
Red Dragon
Strawberry Shortcake
Acroberry
Hawkins Echinata
Red Planet
Bali Green Slimer
Ice Fire Echinata
Pro Corals Rainbow Acro
and any of the 100 cool millis out there!

That is an excellent list. Covers all the great Acros out there.

 

[EllisJuan]

You're welcome I'm already there with my 300. I want to have enough space to let it grow out perfectly and I only have a few really good spots left, but there's so many beautiful corals!!! Start putting together your list of must haves now and then pick them up over time.

I'll start you off

Purple Monster
Oregon Tort
Red Dragon
Strawberry Shortcake
Acroberry
Hawkins Echinata
Red Planet
Bali Green Slimer
Ice Fire Echinata
Pro Corals Rainbow Acro
and any of the 100 cool millis out there!

Nice. I better get to work! Right now the only thing I have off that list is the Bali Green Slimer. I am going to pick up a piece of Hawkins this week. I also am a fan of and own Pearlberry, Pink Lemonade, and ORA Blue Tip Tenius.

 

[nitr8]

Excellent growth. Extremely jealous. I've had some frags for more than 6 months that haven't grown as much as your birds nest has. With growth rates like that you better keep a close eye on your CA/Alk/Mag.

Just to add to your wish list, I would not have an SPS tank without Joe the Coral. If you can swing it Orange Passion is amazing too. Frags can be added in large quantities just make sure you are getting them from a reliable source and you dip for good measure. I always do a Interceptor/Iodine dip on new frags.

Here's a shot of my Joe:

 

[EllisJuan]

Excellent growth. Extremely jealous. I've had some frags for more than 6 months that haven't grown as much as your birds nest has. With growth rates like that you better keep a close eye on your CA/Alk/Mag.

Just to add to your wish list, I would not have an SPS tank without Joe the Coral. If you can swing it Orange Passion is amazing too. Frags can be added in large quantities just make sure you are getting them from a reliable source and you dip for good measure. I always do a Interceptor/Iodine dip on new frags.

Here's a shot of my Joe:

Thanks man. I test Alk regularly, CA and Mag not so much. I actually need to pick up new test kits. I'll probably order those tonight. That Joe is beautiful! I will have to add it to the list...lol.

Here is the Pearlberry I picked up Tuesday. I can't wait for it to color up some...

 

[EllisJuan]

You're welcome I'm already there with my 300. I want to have enough space to let it grow out perfectly and I only have a few really good spots left, but there's so many beautiful corals!!! Start putting together your list of must haves now and then pick them up over time.

I'll start you off

Purple Monster
Oregon Tort
Red Dragon
Strawberry Shortcake
Acroberry
Hawkins Echinata
Red Planet
Bali Green Slimer
Ice Fire Echinata
Pro Corals Rainbow Acro
and any of the 100 cool millis out there!

I just picked up a nice piece of Hawkins. I was talking to the owner of my LFS and he has colonies of everything on the list except the PC Rainbow. He has a VERY nice SPS tank. I am pretty fortunate in that he will frag anything I want and sells me 2"-4" pieces for $30-$40. He is clipping me Oregon Tort and Red Dragon for me to pick up next week.