I've got a 60 gal tank... standard 55 gal sizing and a 4x65w PC lighting setup... I was told before that I might be able to get some LPS corals.... can you guys recommend some things that might do well with my setup ????
Question about stonies
- Thread starter c0mf0rt
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ellisz
Aquarium Advice Addict
Candy cane or a hammer would be my suggestion. Those were the 1st lps I tried with similar lighting. I am sure others would be ok but those are pretty popular in my area.
MT79
Aquarium Advice Addict
I love Candy Canes, open brain corals are always cool too... I think you could keep almost any LPS you want w/ that setup depending where it's placed in your tank. I suggest you see what LPS you like and check back to be absolutely sure. HTH
I like the candy canes, brain, open brain, button coral... quite a few really....
Since I'm just getting into the stonies... I'd like to get something that's fairly hardy and will do well with my lighting.... I don't really care for the hammer all that much..
Since I'm just getting into the stonies... I'd like to get something that's fairly hardy and will do well with my lighting.... I don't really care for the hammer all that much..
Fluff
Aquarium Advice Addict
You might want to check out the fox coral also.
S
steve-s
Guest
You should actually be able to sustain a few types of SPS. I don't think the encrusting varieties would be all that great though, they grow very very slowly. I have a yellow one and it grows about ½" a year. Digitata's and caprcornus should do well. I have several of each including a blue tip stag (Acropora formosa). Just be sure all are placed mid level or higher.c0mf0rt said:
You can also try Pavona, Anacropora, Pocillopora, Porites, Stylophora and a few others. Just avoid true Acpropora's (I don't mean Family Acroporidae). Start with the Monti's and guage how well things go and then mabye move forward from there.
If it's constant contact with a nearby rock void of other coral life yes but it can easily take a few months before it happens.
Cheers
Steve
Ok one last question then.....
How can you tell the health of these corals... I mean with softies they're either falling apart or deflating.... I noticed with the porites that depending on where I put them they will gain or loose their "actinic pigment".... Is that all I should look for??
How can you tell the health of these corals... I mean with softies they're either falling apart or deflating.... I noticed with the porites that depending on where I put them they will gain or loose their "actinic pigment".... Is that all I should look for??
S
steve-s
Guest
Several things to look for. Overall color, be sure it is fairly uniform between each branch and their corallites. No white patches, black lines or blotchs. Thinkness of the branches based on species. A well maintained chem will mean a much thicker healthier coral while a chem outside NSW (higher) will be thin, reedy and have brittle branchs. It can also cause uneven thicknesses along the branchs. If buying frags on plugs, be sure they have some amount of growth covering the plug itself. That will ensure it is not a recent frag and still a little "iffy" on survival.
Also look for signs of parasitic activity in the coral holding tank itself. If the "general" health of the tank is lacking it's best to steer clear unless you can easily and confidantly dip the coral. A main one to look for with Acropora's is red bugs although not usually a concern with other SPS species and tiny little nudibrancs on monti caps. Usually found on the underside of the coral.
Cheers
Steve
Also look for signs of parasitic activity in the coral holding tank itself. If the "general" health of the tank is lacking it's best to steer clear unless you can easily and confidantly dip the coral. A main one to look for with Acropora's is red bugs although not usually a concern with other SPS species and tiny little nudibrancs on monti caps. Usually found on the underside of the coral.
Cheers
Steve
lando
Aquarium Advice Addict
LPS I would say candy cane, torch or hammer. SPS is would say montipora.
S
steve-s
Guest
On the SPS, I would start as Lando suggests. There are many varieties and colors of montipora so don't think of it as limiting. They are probabley on of the most forgiving and truely the best starting point.
Other LPS are fox, open brain, bubble, donut/meat and blastomussa.
LPS species to avoid... Tubastraea and elegance. Plates are an option but I would wait until you feel comfortable with the others.
Cheers
Steve
Other LPS are fox, open brain, bubble, donut/meat and blastomussa.
LPS species to avoid... Tubastraea and elegance. Plates are an option but I would wait until you feel comfortable with the others.
Cheers
Steve
