Best SPS for first SPS

Dizzle63 · #1 12/19/2007, 12:38 PM

I currently have a mixed soft/LPS tank. I would like to try my hand at a simple SPS, one that is colorful, but one that would also be relatively easy to care for. My tank parameters are as follows:

55 gallon sumpless tank
80 lbs. live rock (tongan and fiji)
30 lbs. sand (sugar aragonite)
4X54 watt Tek T-5 lighting
CPR Bakpak skimmer

Ammonia 0 ppm
Nitrites 0 ppm
Nitrates 5 ppm
Calcium 370 ppm
Magnesium 1150 ppm
kH 7-8
pH 8.1

I have a lot of green corals, so something in another color would be preferable.

TomRep · #2 12/19/2007, 12:51 PM

Montipora digitada. Comes in a wide variety of colors and is very easy/hardy. However, I would try to raise your calcium and Magnesium a bit. Calcium-420ish, Mg-1350ish JMO
tom

grallster · #3 12/19/2007, 02:59 PM

Ditto TomRep plus a tank raised orange cap.

aquamn1999 · #4 12/19/2007, 03:05 PM

Same as above but any color of cap (orange, green, purple etc.) Keep any mushrooms you have away from SPS. They will sting the SPS.

lowbudget · #5 12/19/2007, 03:05 PM

digi and montis are a good start

Scissorhand · #6 12/19/2007, 04:08 PM

microthalma

if you can't keep it, you fail.

hyperfocal · #7 12/19/2007, 04:10 PM

I couldn't keep Montis at all at first. Psammocora is tougher than cast iron ime

concept3 · #8 12/19/2007, 07:01 PM

ditto on the montipora species!

vangogh121 · #9 12/19/2007, 10:25 PM

Pocillapora
They are real easy!!!

HighReef · #10 12/19/2007, 10:47 PM

I know somebody having all kinds of difficult SPS in his tank, but cannot keep digitata alive in his tank at all.

Besides montipora, millieporas are not that difficult either. Giving them good colors is a different story.

mott768 · #11 12/20/2007, 07:41 AM

Agree with all above, Millie's are easy but need strong flow to get good polyp extension, mine all did great under T5HO's, I also agree with tomrep, get your Calcium & mag up.

mysterybox · #12 12/20/2007, 08:02 PM

no acro's, no Seriatopora. please only get aquacultured frags & only get Montipora digitada to begin with. First, get your parems in perfect stability. This will save you tons of time, stress, & money. Oh by the way, the one thing that you're not testing for, happens to be the biggest preventer of growth & life of sps' after water flow, alk, lights, calc, and mag is phosphates. It's best you get on a phosphate obsession now!