Sps Suggestions

[cardsfan12]

I have several sps frags that I am currently growing in my tank and always planned to get more down the road, once the ones I have are growing nicely. It recently occured to me that, in a year or two when these are really starting to look nice I don't want to have a bunch of little frag racks blocking the view. So I thought I should get more now so they all mature into colonies together. Anyway I was hoping that I could get some suggestions for some good frags to get and maybe if anyone knows where I could get the frags at a good price. I'm on a budget, so I can't spend a fortune. Here's what I have already:

Orange Monti Cap

Purple Monti Cap

Cali Tort Acropora Tortuosa

Blue Tenuis

Pink Jade (Tort?)

Ponape Birdsnest

Green Birdsnest

Hammer coral

Kryptonite Candycane coral

Starpoyps

Kenya Tree

Pulsating Xenya

Assorted Mushrooms

All of these corals are very small. I have plenty of room in my 140 gallon. I also have a tiny piece of superman Monti that doesn't seem to be doing well. I've had it for a couple of months and the blue base has faded. I had basically given up on it until a few days ago It seems to have new poylps around the edges. Maybe it can be saved. It's pretty high in the tank, does it need to be lower? Maybe I should start a separate topic for saving my super.

I love the Monti Caps and know that I would like to get a brite green one if anyone knows anyone fragging them out.

Edited March 23, 2010 by cardsfan12

[Derek]

River City Aquatics has good prices on corals. AquaTek is a little more expensive, but they have a "bargain bin" coral tank that usually has some good finds in it.

Alternatively you could check with members. I know that I am always up for passing around frags. I can probably hook you up with some mushrooms, a small kenya tree frag, and some pom pom xenia. The pom pom xenia may be a month or two, it is still growing back from my last fragging round with it.

[acropoorer]

The superman generally does fine in high light--faded blue will recover it's color as long as the polyps are healthy. Also, I can hook you up with acro advice and nice size sps frags at a very reasonable price if you are interested (post me if you want). Also, there are bargains posting all the time in the for sale section.

[+dapettit]

RCA, Epic Reef, and Aquatek may have the corals you listed. If not they maybe able to order them. Also, keep an eye on the for sale forum for some great deals or get in on the group buys with our sponsors.

Remember your are planting a "garden" and things will grow larger. Planning and placement are important.

[+mcallahan]

First thing I'd do is get rid of your Xenia. It's a pretty coral, but it will take over very quickly once it gets established.

Your superman should be fine where it is. Mine is in a high flow area very high in my tank and it is deep blue. If you are seeing new growth, that's a good thing. Give it time.

You've got a good start for SPS and there really isn't a bad one to pick from here. Oregon tort, and some mille corals would be nice additions to your tank.

For me, I pick SPS based on color and growth pattern - I like to have a splash of color and a range of different kinds of SPS' so that my tank doesn't look like a pine forest. That is, basically all the same kind of coral and the same basic colors. A Granulosa, an enchinada, torts, straight acros, endata montipora will all add different growth patterns to your tank.

So at this point, your budget will drive your purchases and there is plenty of coral in town, and there is always someone who will take your money, so start picking some corals, post what you are looking for and the sellers will show up!

Finally, if you want to go heavy SPS, you should start looking at the right equipment for it (multiple power heads for high flow, Ca reactor or dosing pumps for good growth) now. While your frags are small and young, the best way to get them to grow quickly is to give them a tank that is setup specifically for them.

[cardsfan12]

RCA, Epic Reef, and Aquatek may have the corals you listed. If not they maybe able to order them. Also, keep an eye on the for sale forum for some great deals or get in on the group buys with our sponsors.

Remember your are planting a "garden" and things will grow larger. Planning and placement are important.

The corals listed are actually the ones I already have.

[cardsfan12]

First thing I'd do is get rid of your Xenia. It's a pretty coral, but it will take over very quickly once it gets established.

Your superman should be fine where it is. Mine is in a high flow area very high in my tank and it is deep blue. If you are seeing new growth, that's a good thing. Give it time.

You've got a good start for SPS and there really isn't a bad one to pick from here. Oregon tort, and some mille corals would be nice additions to your tank.

For me, I pick SPS based on color and growth pattern - I like to have a splash of color and a range of different kinds of SPS' so that my tank doesn't look like a pine forest. That is, basically all the same kind of coral and the same basic colors. A Granulosa, an enchinada, torts, straight acros, endata montipora will all add different growth patterns to your tank.

So at this point, your budget will drive your purchases and there is plenty of coral in town, and there is always someone who will take your money, so start picking some corals, post what you are looking for and the sellers will show up!

Finally, if you want to go heavy SPS, you should start looking at the right equipment for it (multiple power heads for high flow, Ca reactor or dosing pumps for good growth) now. While your frags are small and young, the best way to get them to grow quickly is to give them a tank that is setup specifically for them.

Thanks for the tips.

My Xenia is tiny and for the reasons you listed I put it in my refugium until I figured out what I wanted to do with it(same with my kenya tree). Originally I was flirting with the ideal of trying to get it to cover my back glass, but who knows.

As far as equipment, I've get 2xKoralia4 and a Koralie1 along with my two return lines. Do you think this is enough waterflow?

I need to get a real job so I can afford more stuff for this hobby.(I do aquarium maintenance.)

[GKarshens]

Personally I don't think that is enough flow for an SPS dominate tank. I would save up for a wavebox. It adds a ton of movement and gives the movement of your corals a more natural look. They are also great for keeping detritus and food from settling before being consumed. If that is not an option, I don't think you can beat the Maxi-Jets with the mod. There are lots of different mods out there. The one I have moves a ton more water than my K4.

[cardsfan12]

River City Aquatics has good prices on corals. AquaTek is a little more expensive, but they have a "bargain bin" coral tank that usually has some good finds in it.

Alternatively you could check with members. I know that I am always up for passing around frags. I can probably hook you up with some mushrooms, a small kenya tree frag, and some pom pom xenia. The pom pom xenia may be a month or two, it is still growing back from my last fragging round with it.

I poked my head in at Aquatek on Saturday. Cool Place. I went in for live brine shrimp(2-3bucks) and left after spending over $100 and no live brine shrimp(they were out). I have no will power. Thanks for the offer on the frags, but I already have those.

[+mcallahan]

+1 on gabe's point...with your tank size and those powerheads, you need more flow.

[cardsfan12]

Personally I don't think that is enough flow for an SPS dominate tank. I would save up for a wavebox. It adds a ton of movement and gives the movement of your corals a more natural look. They are also great for keeping detritus and food from settling before being consumed. If that is not an option, I don't think you can beat the Maxi-Jets with the mod. There are lots of different mods out there. The one I have moves a ton more water than my K4.

I should have started this post a week ago. I just ordered another K4. Is the mod your talking about the thing that rotates back and forth?(Not the best desciption I've ever made, I hope you can decipher it.)

[GKarshens]

No. Basically it inverts the Maxi-jet. So instead of an impeller pulling water in and then out, it makes it a propeller pushing water out and sucking it in. It is more like a Korallia but more efficient. Many of them claim 2000+ gph. I never have measured it myself, but I can definitely tell it is stronger than the K4. On my old 125 it would visibly push water the whole 6 foot length of the tank.

[cardsfan12]

No. Basically it inverts the Maxi-jet. So instead of an impeller pulling water in and then out, it makes it a propeller pushing water out and sucking it in. It is more like a Korallia but more efficient. Many of them claim 2000+ gph. I never have measured it myself, but I can definitely tell it is stronger than the K4. On my old 125 it would visibly push water the whole 6 foot length of the tank.

Cool well, it sounds like I need more flow so when I get approval from the boss/girlfriend maybe I'll look into the maxi jet.

[Robb in Austin]

If you have 3 K4's plus the K1 I think you will be ok, although a wavebox would seal the deal and you might be able to get rid of some of the others.

What are the dimensions of the tank?

[cardsfan12]

If you have 3 K4's plus the K1 I think you will be ok, although a wavebox would seal the deal and you might be able to get rid of some of the others.

What are the dimensions of the tank?

Its 5 ft long, like 2-1/2ft tall and 1-1/2 ft deep.

[+Lamont]

If you are still looking for green monti cap, Msmmze has some nice pieces for great prices. Check him out!

[cardsfan12]

If you are still looking for green monti cap, Msmmze has some nice pieces for great prices. Check him out!

Cool will do. Thanks.

[cardsfan12]

If you are still looking for green monti cap, Msmmze has some nice pieces for great prices. Check him out!

Hey I checked out your video link. Pretty sweet tank. I like all the overhangs and caves you created.

[+dapettit]

I have a large piece as well if you are intrested. . .

[cardsfan12]

Yeah I'd be interested. How much am I looking at?

[cardsfan12]

The superman generally does fine in high light--faded blue will recover it's color as long as the polyps are healthy. Also, I can hook you up with acro advice and nice size sps frags at a very reasonable price if you are interested (post me if you want). Also, there are bargains posting all the time in the for sale section.

Done deal! Thanks again for the new coral "frags". Some of them would hardly be considered frags due to their huge size. They look great in my tank. I've been staring at my tank since Saturday, as if I can see them growing. My girlfriend thinks I'm crazy and she's probably right. It was worth the drive from killeen just to see your new tank. Anyway thanks for everything.

[acropoorer]

Done deal! Thanks again for the new coral "frags". Some of them would hardly be considered frags due to their huge size. They look great in my tank. I've been staring at my tank since Saturday, as if I can see them growing. My girlfriend thinks I'm crazy and she's probably right. It was worth the drive from killeen just to see your new tank. Anyway thanks for everything.

Enjoy and thanks for the visit.

[+Daniel]

If you haven't done so already, get some good test kits. If you want your SPS to do well, minimize your fluctuations in Ca, Alk, and Mg (and pH). Trust me, stability is key...I have a coral "graveyard" in my garage to remind me of the times I didn't keep conditions stable.

[cardsfan12]

If you haven't done so already, get some good test kits. If you want your SPS to do well, minimize your fluctuations in Ca, Alk, and Mg (and pH). Trust me, stability is key...I have a coral "graveyard" in my garage to remind me of the times I didn't keep conditions stable.

Thanks for the tip. The only one I don't have is a mag test kit. Soon.