Can I have sps corals in my mixed reef tank?

[Miami Reef]

I have a 300 gallon tank with predominantly LPS corals. Some softies, and about 10% SPS. A pavona and 2 montiporas.

Im wondering if I can keep more SPS corals. I want them.

What can I do? Here are the parameters I’m keeping for my tank right now.

 

[vabben]

Sure... What lights are you running? Increasing your PAR to support more SPS might upset all your low-light-loving coral.

 

[anemoneanatomy]

As long as you have appropriate space for them (keeping in mind lighting and flow prereqs as well as parameters), I don't see why not

 

[dedragon]

i mean like vabben said, sure? So many other things play a role in sps success, what are your actual parameters and how are you measuring them as well? Lighting, flow, rodi water?

 

[JCM]

I dont agree with 12 DKH but sure, no reason you can't keep a mix of SPS and LPS. Plenty of people do, just make sure flow and lighting are adequate.

 

[tehmadreefer]

12 alk isn’t gonna work for most sps.

 

[dedragon]

+1 i dont keep my kH that high, I use red sea blue bucket not red sea coral pro.

 

[Miami Reef]

My lighting is 4 ai hydra 52 HD with 79 watts.

I have the lights 13.5 above water. Tank is 28 inches tall.

 

[Miami Reef]

My alk is currently 11.3dkh. I was ramping it up to 12dkh and I was about to dose the final amount until all these responses. Why shouldn’t I dose at 12dkh? Studies show corals grow better with higher dkh. Even BRS did an experiment and 12dkh did much better than 8.

 

[JCM]

My alk is currently 11.3dkh. I was ramping it up to 12dkh and I was about to dose the final amount until all these responses. Why shouldn’t I dose at 12dkh? Studies show corals grow better with higher dkh. Even BRS did an experiment and 12dkh did much better than 8.

Because its unnatural and riding a razors edge. If lighting and nutrients aren't extremely dialed in, it can wipe out your corals. Much better to keep it closer to natural sea water levels. I aim for 7-8 personally.