LPS advice?

[jbird0420]

I have a 90g reef with (2) 250w 12,000k MH and (2) VHO Actinics. I'm looking at a couple of LPS corals. I wanted to get some advice on which looks the best under the lights that I have as well as care. Looking at Brain Coral-Open Green, Hammer Coral- Green, Hammer Coral-branching, Hammer Coral, Frogspawn and Plate Coral-Green Long. Out of the corals listed, which would look the best under the lighting I have and does not require a lot of extra attention. My calcium levels are betwen 420-450, I do 15% water changes every 2 weeks to maintain the trace elements needed. All advice is welcome! Thanks Guys

 

[mx#28]

That lighting is somewhat intense for those types of corals - they will need to placed low and/or in partial shade and acclimated well. Of those corals you listed, I think the Euphyllia are the easiest (hammer, frogspawn), open-brain would be next, and the long tentacle plates are last as they can sometimes be difficult.
What are the rest of your water parameters?

 

[paintballer768]

Originally Posted by MX#28
http:///forum/post/2728782
That lighting is somewhat intense for those types of corals - they will need to placed low and/or in partial shade and acclimated well. Of those corals you listed, I think the Euphyllia are the easiest (hammer, frogspawn), open-brain would be next, and the long tentacle plates are last as they can sometimes be difficult.
What are the rest of your water parameters?
Yea I agree. Given the flow is great, then I would say you might be able to try some SPS.

 

[ballet ninja]

I am thinking the same thing. T-5s I think would do well, but I have heard that brains look really nice in PC lighting as well. MH tends to bleach them.

 

[jbird0420]

so instead of LPS, shall i go with SPS for my setup?

 

[morval]

ya i would go with SPS. LPS do like lower lighting that intense MH and they also benefit graetly from spot feedng so if you want lower maitenace coral go with SPS

 

[jbird0420]

My water parameters are excellent, I'm sure I would do a 3hr drip acclimation for this type of coral. With the 3 recommendations you listed below, do they require to be spot fed? If so, how often??Thanks

Originally Posted by MX#28
http:///forum/post/2728782
That lighting is somewhat intense for those types of corals - they will need to placed low and/or in partial shade and acclimated well. Of those corals you listed, I think the Euphyllia are the easiest (hammer, frogspawn), open-brain would be next, and the long tentacle plates are last as they can sometimes be difficult.
What are the rest of your water parameters?

 

[mr_x]

you can have either sps or lps. lps on the sand bed will be fine. i have 250's and a 400 watter over a tank about the same depth as yours, and i have lps all over the place. nothing is bleached.

 

[mx#28]

Originally Posted by Jbird0420
http:///forum/post/2728978
My water parameters are excellent, I'm sure I would do a 3hr drip acclimation for this type of coral. With the 3 recommendations you listed below, do they require to be spot fed? If so, how often??Thanks

Sorry for the confusion - I was referring to light acclimation. Many corals are quite adaptable to different lighting conditions - as long as they are adjusted slowly. Start them in similar or lower lighting than they came from and then slowly increase it. You can place them low in the tank, block the light with something, etc.

 

[mx#28]

Originally Posted by Jbird0420
http:///forum/post/2728978
My water parameters are excellent, I'm sure I would do a 3hr drip acclimation for this type of coral. With the 3 recommendations you listed below, do they require to be spot fed? If so, how often??Thanks

All will appreciate some spot feeding. My Euphyllia have always been mostly dependent on light and refused feedings. An open brain, though, is more likely to need some spot feeding for long term health.

 

[jbird0420]

Thanks for all your help guys, I went with a Toadstool Leather mushroom soft coral. Looks like this type of coral is a lil easier to maintain. I will try a LPS coral down the line....

 

[mx#28]

Originally Posted by Jbird0420
http:///forum/post/2729668
Thanks for all your help guys, I went with a Toadstool Leather mushroom soft coral. Looks like this type of coral is a lil easier to maintain. I will try a LPS coral down the line....

A good choice. They are pretty forgiving (as far as corals go) with water quality and are extremely adaptable to lighting. Make sure it has decent flow and it will grow quickly.