Nice SPS Corals to add to tank

[Andy O]

What are some nice SPS corals to add to my tank. I have never had SPS but recently upgraded my system. It is a 90 gallon w/2 x 250 DE MH and 2 x 54 t-5 actinic. A lot of flow in the tank.

I am not necessarily concerned with the cost as much as finding some nice pieces to start with.

Help me get started with some suggestions.

 

[Moe_K]

What do you mean by "nice"?
There are some fantastic and rare pieces that command big bucks.
Then there are common very pretty SPS that are reasonable.

Do you care about how difficult they are to keep?

 

[JustDavidP]

I suggest one of every coral in Neo's tank Just ask him after he's had a couple beers...he may give them all to you!

Actually, I do like German Blue Montipora Digitata and it is a nice 'beginner' coral.

D

 

[Andy O]

By nice I guess I mean both -- common and rare.

I guess a question that I have would be what do you meen by difficult to keep?

I'll have to hit up Gustavo.

 

[Richard]

Actually, I do like German Blue Montipora Digitata and it is a nice 'beginner' coral.

D

I just happen to have one of those jems and a nice size frag of it too

 

[RichConley]

Even with all the pretty SPS out there, greeen digi is still one of my favorites. It grows quick, is pretty easy to keep, and (in my tank) gets a neon/metallic color to it.

Caps are nice.


As for acros, some of the common and easy stuff is pretty nice. I love my green slimer.

 

[JustDavidP]

Richard...

Keep a frag for me eh?

D

 

[Moe_K]

Some SPS are difficult to keep.
The wild stuff, I have found is generally more demanding than the hobbyist propagated stuff.
Then the stuff that comes off the fore reef, like Acropora humulis or A. gemnifera, is really tough to keep. They want conditions that are nearly impossible to duplicate in a tank.

 

[lactrain]

Richard Ill take that frag ...

 

[Andy O]

How are birdsnests. They seem pretty intersting.

 

[JustDavidP]

Richard Ill take that frag ...

Hey now... I kik ya @&* brutha! I need my corals back!

D

 

[Richard]

Plenty for everyone.
Dave you can have a little of everything in my tank.

 

[Richard]

How are birdsnests. They seem pretty intersting.

I have a rather large pink birdsnest colony. very easy to care for IME.

 

[lactrain]

Dave got seahorses ... he dont play with corals no more .... back off buddy.

My apoligies AndyO by all means you have first dibs this is your thread....

 

[JustDavidP]

Dave has room for monti digi in his 75 Gallon sump *L*

"Dave you can have a little of everything in my tank." Awe.... ya's do love me! Okay... more beer for you!!!

 

[jovreef]

I agree Birdsnest is a very easy to care for coral. I also Second green slimer... its such a nice bright green and well I think almost everyone has one.

I like Blue torts too... thats the main reason I upgraded my lights, just to have a blue tort. I think they are easy to care for IMO.

Dont make the mistake of not dipping all your acros before you put them in your tank though. There is that nasty acro eating flatworm running rampid in reefers tanks right now... you dont want to infect your tank

 

[Andy O]

Lactrain -- no problem
Jovreef -- I bought a bottle of Lugol's solution. Will that do the job? Is it best to follow the instructions or are there any other reccomendations that you might have for preparing the Lugol's dip (i.e. concentration, time, etc.)

 

[Ray]

You might want to pick up some levamasole (sp) for the acros and do a 6 hour dip before adding them. Also inspect them for the eggs.

 

[Moe_K]

Yeah, take Rays' advice there.
Lugols won't kill the acro-eating flatworms, from the reports of those with experience.

 

[Andy O]

You might want to pick up some levamasole (sp) for the acros and do a 6 hour dip before adding them. Also inspect them for the eggs.

Where do you get levamasole and does it serve a different purpose than lugols?

What is the proper procedure for dipping sps?