[jkeithh1969]

I am ready to move on from leathers and softies to the more advanced SPS and eventually clams. My set up is 75 gallon, 4 - 110watt VHO Flourescents + just added 2 175 watt 10,000k Ushio Metal Halides, protein skimmer in the sump, and a hang on refugium with various macroalgae for nutrient export. What is the easiest of the SPS coral to keep? I have heard some people recommend Montipora digitata but wanted to get some other opinions. Also, I have heard that SPS may not do well in my tank since I have quite a few mushrooms. The SPs will be on the opposite side of the aquarium from the mushrooms. Do I need to get rid of the mushrooms or should it be ok? Sorry for all the questions.

-Keith

[golfish]

Digitata's are easy, the green slimer (A.Yongi) is one that I would suggest. The digs grow to fast.... M.caps are alos easy to keep.

Shrooms are not welcome in my tank but you can have sps with shrooms. I just didn't like the area the shrooms took up, plus they will sting sps...same with GSP

[Reefland]

I agree, Montipora sp. are usually pretty adaptable and a good starting point for people entering the world of sticks. M. digitata and M. capricornas both accept more varying conditions that other stony corals and both grow quickly.

The problem with keeping mushroom corals, zoanthids and green star polyps is that they grow and spread so rapidly, they take up valuable real estate that stony corals could use. That is the reason most people do not add them to the SPS/Clam reefs. They can be kept together if the space between them is controlled well.

[jkeithh1969]

Originally Posted by Reefland

I agree, Montipora sp. are usually pretty adaptable and a good starting point for people entering the world of sticks. M. digitata and M. capricornas both accept more varying conditions that other stony corals and both grow quickly.

The problem with keeping mushroom corals, zoanthids and green star polyps is that they grow and spread so rapidly, they take up valuable real estate that stony corals could use. That is the reason most people do not add them to the SPS/Clam reefs. They can be kept together if the space between them is controlled well.

Well i was thinking of thinning them out anyway.

[jkeithh1969]

Originally Posted by Reefland

I agree, Montipora sp. are usually pretty adaptable and a good starting point for people entering the world of sticks. M. digitata and M. capricornas both accept more varying conditions that other stony corals and both grow quickly.

The problem with keeping mushroom corals, zoanthids and green star polyps is that they grow and spread so rapidly, they take up valuable real estate that stony corals could use. That is the reason most people do not add them to the SPS/Clam reefs. They can be kept together if the space between them is controlled well.

What are the common names for the 3 corals you both mentioned? I asked my local place based on the scientific name and they looked at me like I was speak a foreign language.

[LowCel]

Montipora Digitata is sometimes just refered to as Digitata, Montipora capricornas are sometimes just refered to as Caps. They are also refered to as monti digitata or monti caps. Green slimer is a common name.

If your LFS is not familiar with these you may want to check out some other LFS's. I'm not trying to be a smart @$$ but these are the most common SPS corals there are, if they are not familiar with these it could be a sign.

[jkeithh1969]

Originally Posted by LowCel

Montipora Digitata is sometimes just refered to as Digitata, Montipora capricornas are sometimes just refered to as Caps. They are also refered to as monti digitata or monti caps. Green slimer is a common name.

If your LFS is not familiar with these you may want to check out some other LFS's. I'm not trying to be a smart @$$ but these are the most common SPS corals there are, if they are not familiar with these it could be a sign.

I was thinking the same thing.

[Reefland]

Isn't that the truth! I can see it now:

Customer - "Excuse me sir, could you kindly show me the M. digitata you have in stock?"

Sales Person - "Absolutely, here is a beautiful healthy one we just got in stock. See how the the tentacles are real full and wavy?" As he points to a Torch Coral

[jkeithh1969]

Originally Posted by Reefland

Isn't that the truth! I can see it now:

Customer - "Excuse me sir, could you kindly show me the M. digitata you have in stock?"

Sales Person - "Absolutely, here is a beautiful healthy one we just got in stock. See how the the tentacles are real full and wavy?" As he points to a Torch Coral

When purchasing SPS corals, what should I look for to ensure they are healthy and are specimens that I actually want? I know what to look for with fish and anemones, etc. but am not really sure what to look for when purchasing SPS.

[Reefland]

Obviously, no wild colonies. Aquacultured frags have a much better survival rate. Good color, good polyp extension and no tissue resession.

[LowCel]

Another good idea is to ask if they carry ORA frags. IME they are the best frags available. The only problem is that ORA is temporary not shipping due to the Hurricanes. ORA frags are easy to identify, they come on little plastic plugs that are about 1/2" wide and 1 1/2" long.

Another thing to do is find out if there is a local club. If so people there will be happy to help you out. I know I have given frags to a bunch of people to help them get started. Thats actually how I got hooked as well, someone gave me a digitata frag to see how it would do in my tank. That was the beginning of my end. Anyway, digitata is usually pretty easy to come by at club meetings.

[Reefland]

I agree with the suggestion to look for ORA frags. Sometimes new arrivals are a bit brown but don't let that discourage you from picking one up, they'll color up in no time provide the conditions are right.