Wanting to do SPS Dominant Reef

Navycook2

Navycook2

New member
So at the end of the month I will be getting my MH lights. I have seen many many tanks that are SPS dom and i get super jealous! So this is where I am at. I would like to do one. Any tips on starting one. frags are easy to come by but placement and vision of how they will kinda grow out. I have never had acro and only have done softies. So this is new!! I think Acro Reefs are stunning! Thanks everyone!
 
My best piece of advice would be to save the "frag" money and use it on several more mature colonies, you get a MUCH better value for your dollar buying an entire colony vs. a frag most of the time. This way you can already envision how they will look grown out and space them accordingly right from the start.

Frags are nice, but they take FOREVER (and a day more) to really grow out into nice large colonies.
 
I run 2 tanks, My 125 tank kills sps for some reason and it has MH lighting and every reactor imaginable on it and lps grow like crazy in it. My 180 tank has a smaller sump with no reactors and t-5 lighting and sps is growing like crazy in it and a 12 inch toadstool i bought to put in it looks like crap and i think its dying, Weird sometimes what equipment people think are the bomb don't help all the time!
 
I would start off by making sure your parameters are where they need to be and keep them there. Is your flow and filtration enough? Make sure you equipment is what you need and keeping sps corals is a lot easier.
 
Yes, but colonies of limited and the very nicest SPS can be cost prohibitive.

My advice is to first get your tank running with your RO/DI water, your new lights, and to get your algea coltrolled and removed. This could take seceral months. SPS are very sensitive and need pristine and stable water conditions to thrive.
 
FishBeard said:
My best piece of advice would be to save the "frag" money and use it on several more mature colonies, you get a MUCH better value for your dollar buying an entire colony vs. a frag most of the time. This way you can already envision how they will look grown out and space them accordingly right from the start.

Frags are nice, but they take FOREVER (and a day more) to really grow out into nice large colonies.
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Gotta disagree, start with some cheap frags, see if your husbandry skills are up to the challenge, then go for some mini colonies.

I started with some colonies and got discouraged, the started agin with frags, now I'm much more confident to go out and buy an expensive frag or a more expensive colony
 
Im not suggesting he goes out and buys a $500+ LE colony. I am suggesting at $10-$25 for frags, for the cost of ~2 frags he can get colonies like at Midwest Coral Farms, or HappyCoral for reasonable prices (usually between $30-$60). These colonies are typically hardier and more forgiving when you start out as well, and you can usually score really nice ones to start off your collection without breaking the bank.
 
fastrc said:
I run 2 tanks, My 125 tank kills sps for some reason and it has MH lighting and every reactor imaginable on it and lps grow like crazy in it. My 180 tank has a smaller sump with no reactors and t-5 lighting and sps is growing like crazy in it and a 12 inch toadstool i bought to put in it looks like crap and i think its dying, Weird sometimes what equipment people think are the bomb don't help all the time!
Click to expand...
To this i have heard that most SPS and LPS cannot grow well together due to toxicity

I had PC lighting that is why my SPS would thrive although i do have three that are doing well. My water is better due to using RO/DI.
 
Update*
I now have a 2x 175w MH system and hooked up my 2 36 led strips in there. I also have a Eshopps S-200 cone skimmer. A 5 stage R/O DI system. A Phosban GFO/ Carbon. I tell you my tank is thriving now! My new SPS frags didnt grow with my PC lighting but still had color. three days after I put my MH system I am getting growth and brighter colors! You can say this guy is excited!! hahaha!!
 
you got that right!!
And if i would have waited to buy the right stuff the first time instead of going cheap
it really wouldnt have been that expensive lol!! Learning the hard way so to say!!
 
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