Wanting to start keeping SPS.

[tyler1503]

I'm sure there's a million threads like this already, so sorry if there are ones I haven't read yet that may have the answers I'm looking for.
I'm looking to start keeping some SPS in my new tank when it's up and running. I have the basic knowledge of light, flow and stable parameters and how corals can react to these things, so I have the knowledge to keep them well once they settle in. But I was hoping someone could tell me an SPS coral that's on the lower end of the light intensity scale? Because I don't know what lights I'm using, I think I'll have my bases covered if I atleast start with a low light SPS and work from there.
Thanks :)

 

[Battlecorals]

Maybe not the best criteria to begin your journey with. there are lots or pretty and very hardy sps that may need more light but will thrive in less than perfect conditions.

What light are you planning on running?

 

[tyler1503]

I haven't actually decided on lighting yet. That's why I was thinking a low light SPS because it wouldn't matter quite so much if I don't have the most powerful lights.
I found a light on eBay that I'm going to get, but it's just temporary till I can get a decent one. All I know is it holds 3 4ft fluorescent tubes and it used to be a fixture in a store. I don't know if they're t5 or t8, the guy hasn't gotten back to me.
I'm not looking to put SPS under that light, but it's just what I'm starting with for now. I know I can provide the flow and water quality needed for SPS, so lighting is the last puzzle piece I need to figure out.

 

[lemonyx]

Save your money - and put it toward a good quality LED fixture, that will house anything you want. It cost more to buy, then buy again when you can save some of that $$ for corals- replacing them after they die

 

[IotaElwyn]

Following....

If I have an LED fixture now, what specs on it do I need to check to see if it can support SPS?

 

[nola90]

Honestly, I've kept SPS under the d120 2 years ago when it was only white-blue-royal blue.
A good quality fixture is all you need. If you're on a budget, you don't have to buy ecotech, AI, maxspect, kessil, GHL, etc. LEDs.

Reef breeders carry very high quality fixtures and I know of a few local members who run it on their main DT tank for the past year with great results.

As for beginner SPS, I would just see if you can find a birdsnest and slowly move up to montis and such.

 

[LunaticFringeInc]

Personally I would hold up on this project until you have the light situation figured out. If you dealing with a 55 gallon tank and your fixture is T-8 your going to find your results pretty dismal. If they are T-5HO this will likely prove to be nice for quiet a few types of SPS corals, the same can be said if they are T-12 VHO's. The primary difference in the two is that you will be replacing the VHO bulbs about every 6 months and will likely have to go on line order them as opposed to run down to the LFS and just buy replacements like you could for T-5's in most cases. Many tout LED's and I have seen some really nice systems that are awesome looking using them. They do have some advantages but the higher quality models are still quiet expensive. The savings in electricity use and the minimal heat may make these worth while to you. Then there is old school, the tried and true Halide light fixtures. These lights have the disadvantage of being overly hot, sometimes requiring the use of a chiller on your tank which can be quiet expensive to purchase and operate. The other issue with Halides is they aint the moist energy efficient lighting fixture out there. On a interesting note regarding Halides I did find that the electricity usage from a 2 x 18 inch T-5HO wasn't very much less than a 70 watt Halide fixture which produced considerably more watts over the tank than the 2 x 18 inch T-5's did. Now I will admit that the watts per a gallon is a out dated measurement as the PAR and quality of light rendered is far more important than watts over a tank.

 

[tyler1503]

I will be holding off on SPS till I have decent lighting. I will most likely get a birdsnest as my first frag, that decision was made even easier because they're one of my favourite corals lol. Thanks for the suggestion :)
LEDs are out of the question at the moment. Far too expensive outright and even the lower budget ones are still too much. I can't justify spending $1000 to light my tank at the moment. The only LED option I have is DIY, but I can't get a straight answer from anyone for most of the questions I have :S