What are some easier acros for a beginner to sps?

[EzReefs]

Hello Everyone,

I want to start getting some acropora, but I would like to start with some of the easier ones first. I currently have a green pocillopora, a few birdsnest and a small montipora cap. The pocillopora is doing very well and has good color. The birdsnest is growing very rapidly, but for some reason, I can't get it to return to its original color from when I bought it. The monti also has good color but is growing very slowly. I also have a bubble tip anemone that is doing very well.

I had some hiccups in the beginning, such as too intense light and maintaining a correct alkalinity level. However, I think I have now figured the correct light intensity and how to maintain correct calcium, magnesium, and alkalinity.

I dose reef ions magnesium, kalkwasser (calcium), and baking soda(alkalinity). Do you think this would be sufficient for a larger coral load?

I am a senior mechanical engineering college student, so I can't really afford good quality lighting but I do have a Mars Aqua led. If the Mars Aqua is good enough for acros, what are some easier frags to start with? I've heard that the bali green slimer is an easier acro, but what are some others?

 

[Bpb]

It's good enough lighting. If you're experiencing some success with other sps, some easy acros to try would be the green slimer like you mentioned. Tricolor acropora valida is also a super easy one. Most standard single color milliepora are easy. Honestly most your standard offering torts and tenuis aren't too bad either. It's getting their unreal colors to actually show and stay for a length of time that is the real challenge. If you make it past pests, provide stable natural seawater parameters, and have appropriate light and flow, MOST acro will respond similarly. There are just a handful that are exceptionally difficult and don't take to captivity real well


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[EzReefs]

Ok thanks I will have to look into those frags. You mentioned pests. How important is it to dip each new coral?

 

[Bpb]

With acropora. It is of the utmost importance. More than any other type of coral


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[nashorn]

Ok thanks I will have to look into those frags. You mentioned pests. How important is it to dip each new coral?

dip a must!
also check for any eggs. Most cut off base or seal with superglue or epoxy.
Don't get a AEFW or bad nub

 

[EzReefs]

Ok thanks for the information! I will definitely dip them. What dipping solutions/methods should I use?

 

[Alfrareef]

Ok thanks for the information! I will definitely dip them. What dipping solutions/methods should I use?

I use Coral Rx and no pest, until now...

 

[swk]

So you're dosing Kalk AND An alkalinity supplement?

 

[brownsps]

I like dipping in bayer as its pretty gentile on the sps and they usually have PE shortly after. Like mentioned above the slimmer is pretty good acro to start with, you could also add some digi's and something like a red planet as they are generally pretty forgiving. Good luck!

 

[EzReefs]

Thanks for all the responses. I looked up a few acro frags I plan on getting now. I will be upgrading to a 75g in the next few months, and I will be sure to pick up some CoralRx then. I use kalk and baking soda because I can never really keep my alk above 7 when using kalk alone. Calcium stays fine though.

 

[thepotoo]

Upgrade the tank first, wait a few months, and then get your acros.

 

[tmantaylor18]

I highly recommend using Bayer insecticide for dipping SPS. It's completely safe as a dip and is better than the other dips mentioned here. Take some time to do a little research on the stuff.

 

[jda]

Stuff from ORA has a nice track record of captive success. I would start with them... maybe an ANT Insigns, Red or Green Planet, etc.

 

[cobra2326]

This is a pretty comprehensive video about dipping: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2PBf42_ihc. I generally follow the procedure from this video: Revive, Bayer, Rinse

 

[EzReefs]

Thanks for the video and bayer seems like some good stuff. I will have to get some. I also found a deal on eBay for 9 sps frags for $99 free shipping which includes some acros. Has anyone bought that? It had really good reviews saying the frags were all high quality. To me, it is a good cost effective method to get frags for my soon 75g. Before I get the 9 frags I will probably buy an acro frag or two as a test.

 

[jda]

Those unknown sources are exactly where you get pests from.

You cannot afford to be cheap. Find a seller in the selling forum here and select some of the cheaper frags - you can do quite well if they are a well-reviewed seller.

 

[EzReefs]

Will the dipping process not get all pests? So it's not a good idea to buy from random sellers?

 

[EzReefs]

The frags on eBay come from a seller called reef addicted.

 

[BigBlueTang]

What are some easier acros for a beginner to sps?

Will the dipping process not get all pests? So it's not a good idea to buy from random sellers?

Nope. The only way to have 0 coral pests would be to have an extensive quarantine procedure that would include multiple dips, lots of observation, etc. Eggs can go through bayer unharmed, and I've seen aiptasia go through as well. I usually inspect as much as I can during the resulting rinses after the bayer dip, but I know there is some risk. I try to only buy from trusted sources, and inspect as much as I can. I would highly recommend not buying the cheapest frags you can find, because as I learned the hard way, you get what you pay for, especially in this hobby.


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[Scorpius]

I remove the frag plug from any Acropora I buy and bip in Bayer for 10 minutes minimum. I don't care how encrusted the frag is. Next best practice after a QT setup.