beginner sps corals

[smileyman]

I have upgraded my lights (1 400 watt 10,000k halide) on my 55 gal. It's been up for about 2 months and have no problem with heat or anything else. My question is for all those who have sps orals. Which ones did you start out with? I am looking to add some frags slowly that are hardy, forgiving and fast growers. I did add a frag of montipora digitata when I first got my lights (couldn't resist) as it was recommended by my lfs. Let me tell you, that stuff grew like a weed! Now I Want MORE!!! Thanks in advance.

 

[jacksonpt]

good question!!! I'd like to know as well. I'm hoping to get some good colors from SPS corals in the near future.

 

[adrian]

Most Montipora sp. are extremely hardy and great starter sps, some porities, and some Acropora are also great starters, it would be very hard to describe them by species, but Acros like the green slimmer, and the many millaporas are very hardy. As long as your tank has been establised and stable for a good period of time, and you have the correct current, lighting, and Ca and Alk levels, you shouldnt have a problem as long as you stick to captive grown frags, wild caught sps can be difficult to acclimate, and should be left to those with a little experience in sps. IMO sps are some of the hardiest corals out there, as long as their requirements are met. HTH

 

[von_rahvin]

green slimer acro grow like nothing else!! Mine has doubled in size in the last 2 months. ofcourse it was a small frag to begin with . .
I like the green slimer and the purple acro.

 

[nm reef]

Adrain........advise please.....I have a stable 55 reef that is primarily LPS corals.....I'd love to get a tank fragged montipora digitata.....my lighting is 4x65 watt(10k) csl pc's....2x110 watt vho(03 actinic)......will this lighting allow me to keep a montipora digitata?????I've seen some sources for some tank raisied ones....but am just a little leary of trying it......what ya think?????????
BELOW ARE PICS OF SOME OF THE SYSTEM SO FAR............WHAT i HAVE IS CURRENTLY DOING VERY WELL.............JUST NOT SURE IF i CAN KEEP THE MONTIPORASorry...didn't know I was shouting until I looked up.....*_^

 

[adrian]

NM, yes I dont think you would have a problem keeping most montiopora sp. given they are kept in the top half of the tank and all other requirements are up to par. The only thing you might not be happy with is the color, some of the Montipora sp. tend to loose their bright colors, especially the purple, under lower lighting, although you have a nice amount of light, for sps it would be minimal. Dont get me wrong, I have seen some incredible colors in sps under VHO alone, but some do tend to brown. Growth rates may also vary, but with Montipora sp. they still seem to grow quite fast under lesser lighting. HTH

 

[nm reef]

thanks.......sorry to piggy back here....still under consideration.........may wait until a new system with additional lighting is developed......but I want one.......