lps, sps???

[Matthew40]

So I’m a complete newbie at this, I’m at the point now where my tank has cycled and coraline is starting to grow. Although I’m a beginner I feel I have a good grasp on keeping stable parameters…should I stick to beginner softies? I feel like I’ve gone above and beyond with my refugium setup, my lighting, and my flow…has anyone started off with sps or should I wait like a year before I start sps? I’m in no rush to start adding corals and I probably won’t be adding any for maybe a month or so…Thanks in advance!!

 

[BlennyTime]

I’d start with LPS or softies and make sure you can keep them happy with dosing/lighting/etc first. SPS requires more stability and attention. No need to wait a year though.

 

[alxrosco]

It looks very nice, and you don‘t have to wait a year to add SPS, you just need to provide the correct conditions, water quality, flow, light, nutrition, etc. You could start with SPS corals such as a Pavona, some montiporas, bird’s nest, stylophoras, etc. Some acroporas are easy to care for. You can also start with some LPS, such as hammer corals. I have a mix reef tank, and has been running for 10 years, but for some reason, there are some corals that do not good in my tank, such as ricordias, which are supposed to be easy to care for. A lot to learn for sure, but so far your tank looks good.

 

[DrZoidburg]

You could try with some easy category sps no guarantees though. Sometime they just don't do well in newer tanks.

 

[Matthew40]

It looks very nice, and you don‘t have to wait a year to add SPS, you just need to provide the correct conditions, water quality, flow, light, nutrition, etc. You could start with SPS corals such as a Pavona, some montiporas, bird’s nest, stylophoras, etc. Some acroporas are easy to care for. You can also start with some LPS, such as hammer corals. I have a mix reef tank, and has been running for 10 years, but for some reason, there are some corals that do not good in my tank, such as ricordias, which are supposed to be easy to care for. A lot to learn for sure, but so far your tank looks good.

Thank you! So much to learn, I’m completely addicted!

 

[Pistondog]

Softies and LPS, why not learn about those? then in a year, get some sps.

 

[vetteguy53081]

For the high availability, low cost and forgiveness- Start with LPS while enjoying them and allowing tank to further mature then jump to easy SPS after about 60 days such as digita, stylo, and monti

 

[Cell]

Personally, I'd skip most softies and focus on LPS. As you gain experience, you can experiment with some SPS and move towards a mixed reef then decide if you want to go full acro.

 

[Addictedreefer87]

Start with lps. Consistency is key for sps imo. You don't have to wait a year but keep an eye on parameters, once you have them locked in I'd say your ready for sps. Most sps aren't as forgiving a simple alk swing for example could end up costing you some money.

 

[superwheat]

You can start with most LPS and maybe a few SPS, if you can maintain stable water parameters and keep SPS happy without feeling overwhelmed, then you can go full blown SPS

 

[Addictedreefer87]

Also for sps your probably going to need more light then just the 3 primes.

 

[Matthew40]

Also for sps your probably going to need more light then just the 3 primes.

Really? I actually bought 4 and i felt it was to much. My next step was to rent a par meter before I start adding coral. Thanks for the input! I still have the 4th light

 

[Addictedreefer87]

Really? I actually bought 4 and i felt it was to much. My next step was to rent a par meter before I start adding coral. Thanks for the input! I still have the 4th light

What are your tank dimensions? I'm just going off the pictures. I have a 210 6ft long tank with 4 26hds and was shocked at how low my par was running ab+ schedule. I ended up adding a t5 hybrid to the 4 leds.

 

[Matthew40]

What are your tank dimensions? I'm just going off the pictures. I have a 210 6ft long tank with 4 26hds and was shocked at how low my par was running ab+ schedule. I ended up adding a t5 hybrid to the 4 leds.

Ya…probably hard to tell by the photo, it’s 125g 6’ long.

 

[Addictedreefer87]

6ft long you will be fine for now if you started with lps, but if you plan on adding sps your going to want another light or I guess you could place them directly under the primes? That was with 4 26 hds and my par was weak the hybrid fixed that. Granted my tank is 30 inches deep. But coverage is way better with the 4 26s.

 

[Matthew40]

What are your tank dimensions? I'm just going off the pictures. I have a 210 6ft long tank with 4 26hds and was shocked at how low my par was running ab+ schedule. I ended up adding a t5 hybrid to the 4 leds.

Yaprobably hard to tell by the photo, it’s 125g 6’ long.

6ft long you will be fine for now if you started with lps, but if you plan on adding sps your going to want another light or I guess you could place them directly under the primes? That was with 4 26 hds and my par was weak the hybrid fixed that. Granted my tank is 30 inches deep. But coverage is way better with the 4 26s.

I’m actually an electrician, I feel ashamed lol. I’m going to meter it and go from there. I’m 90% Sure I’m going to start LPS but definitely want SPS down the road. Really appreciate the input! Your tank looks awesome!

 

[Addictedreefer87]

Yaprobably hard to tell by the photo, it’s 125g 6’ long.

I’m actually an electrician, I feel ashamed lol. I’m going to meter it and go from there. I’m 90% Sure I’m going to start LPS but definitely want SPS down the road. Really appreciate the input! Your tank looks awesome!

Eh don't feel ashamed I started off with 3 26s myself on a deeper tank lol. Then went to 4 and thought I was definitely good. Then rented a par meter and was disappointed. I found pics of the par map I made.1st is of just the 26s running ab+ 2nd is the t5/ab+. I'm ticked I put off renting the par meter for that long honestly. Hope this helps and good luck.