What SPS Can I Keep??

[cjpitt80]

Over the past 8ish months or so, I've been able to grow a Montipora capricornis from a frag to a small salad plate size. Given that, what other SPS corals can I get? Ideally I'd like branching varieties vs another plating or encrusting, but I'd like to hear all options. I know that of course flow, lighting, and nutrients all come into play, but in generalized theory, if I have been "successful" with a plating Monti cap, what other SPS will my environment support?

Thanks!

 

[Tripod1404]

Try other types of branching montis (like montipora digitata), and stylos and seriatos. After that you can try some easy to keep acros like staghorns, slimers etc.

 

[hkgar]

What are the tank parameters, i.e., NO3, PO4, Alk, Ca, Mag.
What kind of lighting?
What is the tank flow?

Try doing some research, check out the SPS forum. Read and learn.
Monti caps are pretty easy. SPS pretty difficult.

 

[gprdypoo04]

I'm not having much luck with SPS but like you my monti caps are huge and many. I've had a green slimer for sometime and it's pretty hardy but not growing to fast for me. I also got a free setosa while back and I've always admired them but didn't think I'd have much luck with them. I'm glad i got it!!!

 

[MondoBongo]

i would advise you to just try some cheap frags. that's what i did.

i found free/cheap frags from my LFS or other local reefers. at the store i went for the brown ones, or ones that looked a little rough. they were usually happy to deal on those.

then just keep an eye on your cal/alk/no3 and see what grows. some things didn't make it, most did. i would highly recommend seeing if you have any local reef clubs, there's usually people there willing to give/trade/sell cheap frags, and keep your out for any frag swaps in your local area.

 

[cjpitt80]

Yeah there are a few around. I was just trying to get a see of what would "probably" be ok given what I've been able to do so far. Time to frag it up!!

 

[MondoBongo]

it can be tough to impossible to decide on species in some of these SPS. i guess i would say avoid A. spathulata, A. echinata or similar, they tend to be tough.

Consider A. millepora, M. digitata, A. yongeii, or anything you can get for cheap or free.