Easy SPS

[sdoubt64]

I am trying to get into SPS corals and was wondering what type of SPS would be the best for a beginner with SPS corals? Pictures and Names would be very helpful! thank you!

 

[steelytom]

Start out with some basic orange montipora cap. It is cheap and hardy.

If that does well you can try some millipora

Then after several months of success try some easier acros like staghorn or green slimer.

Don't buy wild colonies. Buy aquacultured (not maricultured). The wild colonies are more likely to carry disease/pests and have a hard time acclimating from the ocean to the tank. Also do some research on dipping your sps corals. There are a lot of pests and disease associated with SPS. I learned the hard way

 

[sdoubt64]

does the monti have to be orange?

 

[sickboy]

I don't think so, there are other colors and they should be just as easy (sorry, don't actually have any...)

 

[cveverly]

Montipora capricornis of any color is about the easiest. Also easy are Montipora digitata, Seriatopora stellata and Pocillopora. If that goes well try Staghorn, Millepora and Slimer Acropora.

 

[steelytom]

Orange cap is just what I had a pic of and they are very common. If you are part of a reef club you could probably get some for free. But some montipora are harder to keep, slow growing and expensive. You would not want to start out with a $50 frag of superman monti and kill it.

 

[sdoubt64]

they dont have reefclubs where i live.. haha. ya i like montis just wondering if the color really matters. oh i don't think id ever buy a superman.. not a big fan of em. are purple monti caps cheap?

 

[steelytom]

pretty much, unless someone gives it a cool name and calls it an LE. They are also pretty fast growers when conditions are right.

 

[mr_x]

i think montipora digitata is much easier than capricornis. i have ORA blue polyp german digi in my tank that's like a weed. i also have orange digi that grows just as fast. i believe these are the xenia of the sps world.

 

[sdoubt64]

i will have to look into these! how much do ORA corals usually run?? ive never had a chance to get my hands on some.. or know a good website

 

[mr_x]

ora corals are crazy expensive. highway robbery if you ask me. it's best to get a frag from a decent local reefer and grow it out. i have plenty of that digi if you want. unfortunately, it will probably cost more to ship than i'll charge you for the frag.
btw- i believe SWF sells ORA stuff.

 

[sdoubt64]

oh awesome! you ahve any pics of your ORA's? i might want a couple frags..

 

[steelytom]

They have ora montipora frags on this for a reasonable price. go to the coral section and take a look. do some research on montipora eating nudis and watch out for them. Make sure you dip your new corals. I lost that monti cap above to them. by the time I figured it out, it was too late.