want to try SPS!!!

[Jarred1]

so i want to try and keep some sps corals. i have been recommended green birdsnest, rainbow pocillopora, and green pocillipora. are these the more hardy sps corals?

 

[MD]

I would try a montipora digitata they are pretty easy and grow fast for me. Just make sure you want to do this. Because once you start I doubt you will look at any other softies again. BTW super addicting!!

 

[Jarred1]

i do but i dont want to get addicted!!! but i think its to late already lol

 

[reeferx2]

Both monti's and pocci's would be good picks for tester SPS.

 

[nvdiz]

The corals you listed are indeed pretty hardy

 

[Jarred1]

they will be put in a 10g tank with 2x24w t5ho about 4 or 5 inches under the light. is that sufficient lighting for them?

 

[boodlefish]

which bulbs are you using? bulb color makes a big difference. but with only 2 t5's i'd recomend you look at lower light sps most plating and digi montipora might work in that lighting. oh make sure your params are on point. motipora tends to be pretty hardy.

 

[Jarred1]

its stock bulbs

 

[boodlefish]

its stock bulbs

??? what fixture is it? i would change out the bulbs if you want to try sps. maybe an ATI Blue+ and either an ATI Aquablue Special or a Fiji Purple.

like this
front
ATI Aquablue Special (or Fiji Purple)
ATI Blue +

either combo should give decent color and par, but it still is on the low side for sps.

maybe get a 4 bulb fixture then you will be set to grow any sps and get a clam.:strooper:

 

[Jarred1]

so what i have now isnt enough light for those corals?

 

[boodlefish]

i would say no, not unless you at least buy some new/better bulbs then the stock t5 bulbs but like i said two ATI bulbs one blue+ and one aquablue special and you "might" be able to keep some hardy lower light sps. like montipora and porcillapora...

 

[offroadodge]

once u go SPS its VERY hard to stop... but its alot of fun...IMO i would build a DIY 150w MH fixture and blow a fan across it so u dont have to have a chiller...If u dont want a MH then go with 4 T5HOs...JMO

 

[velvetelvis]

once u go SPS its VERY hard to stop... but its alot of fun...

Heh, true. I used to be all about soft corals and clownfish...now I love colorful branching (and soon plating) montis and little schooling cardinalfish to set them off. That's what I love about the aquarium hobby, especially SW...there's always something new to learn about!