Thinking about getting trying your hand with some SPS corals but not sure which ones would be best to try? If so, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we’ll be sharing our top 10 beginner-friendly SPS corals that can handle tanks that are maybe not ready for acropora but have been humming along consistently for the last 6 to 12 months. Each one of these corals can take more of a hit than other sps and will also grow fast if you give them the right conditions.
What to Know Before Choosing SPS Corals
Before you choose which SPS corals to add to your reef tank, there are a few things you should consider:
1. Water Parameters
SPS corals generally require stable and consistent water parameters to thrive. Here are some ideal ranges for the important water parameters:
- pH: The ideal pH range for SPS corals is between 8.0-8.4.
- Salinity: The recommended salinity for SPS corals is 1.025.
- Alkalinity: SPS corals require a stable and consistent alkalinity level between 9-12 dKH.
- Calcium: Maintaining calcium levels between 380-450 ppm is crucial for SPS coral growth and skeletal development.
- Magnesium: Magnesium levels should be maintained between 1350 and 1400 ppm to support coral health and growth.
- Nitrate and Phosphate: SPS corals are sensitive to high nutrient levels, so it’s important to keep nitrate levels below 5 ppm and phosphate levels below 0.05 ppm.
Keeping your water parameters stable and consistent over time is key to maintaining the health and growth of your SPS corals.
2. Lighting
SPS corals require intense lighting to thrive, so it’s important to have a high-quality light source that’s appropriate for your tank size and the types of corals you plan to keep. we grow all of our corals under both T-5 lighting and Radions. We run our lighting on a modified AB schedule with our T-5s and Radions. Our acros sit near the top of our tanks to assure that they are getting as much light as possible. We do not have a par meter but most people recommend that your acros sit at around 200 – 300 par lighting. Be aware that more damage can be caused by overexposure to light than not providing enough lighting. Be patient and take a couple of weeks to let your acros adjust to the lighting conditions in your tank to avoid potential harm. For more help on lighting, you can see our exact light set up and schedules on our tank lighting post.
3. Flow
SPS corals also require strong and consistent water flow to keep them healthy and prevent debris from settling on their surfaces. All our pumps run on a varied schedule that dips down at night – to about 15%- and runs on a combo of reef crest and tidal flow during the day -at about 60%. However, we do run our pumps for a couple hours on full blast around noon for nutrient export. All of our pumps are placed strategically in our tanks to allow for good flow without directly hitting any of our corals.
4. Tank Maturity
SPS corals should only be added to a mature tank that has been established for at least 6-12 months. This ensures that the tank has a stable environment and the necessary microorganisms to support the corals.
Our Top 10 Best SPS Corals for Beginners
Now that you know what to consider before adding SPS corals to your tank, let’s take a look at our top 10 beginner-friendly picks:
1. Mystic Montipora
Mystic Montipora is a great beginner SPS coral because it’s hardy and easy to care for. It features a beautiful red body with blue polyps that can add life and vibrancy to any reef tank. Mystic Montipora is also forgiving of less-than-perfect water conditions, making it a great choice for beginners.
2. Rainbow Montipora
Rainbow Montipora is another hardy and easy-to-care-for SPS coral that’s perfect for beginners. It has a stunning rainbow-like coloration that can add a unique and vibrant touch to your reef tank. Rainbow Montipora also does well in a variety of lighting and flow conditions, making it an ideal choice for beginners who are still learning the ropes.
3. Spongode Montipora
Spongode Montipora is a fast-growing SPS coral that’s perfect for beginners who want to see results quickly. It features a bright green coloration and a unique, sponge-like texture that can add interest and variety to your reef tank. Spongode Montipora also does well in a variety of lighting and flow conditions, making it a great choice for beginners.
4. ORA Birds Of Paradise
ORA Birds Of Paradise is a stunning SPS coral that features a green base with bright purple polyps that resemble the birds of paradise flower. Despite its delicate appearance, it’s actually quite hardy and can thrive in a variety of conditions. ORA Birds Of Paradise is an excellent choice for beginners who want a beautiful and unique addition to their reef tank.
5. ORA Green Birdsnest
ORA Green Birdsnest is another hardy and easy-to-care-for SPS coral that’s perfect for beginners. It features a vibrant green coloration and unique, thick growth patterns that can add interest and texture to your reef tank. ORA Green Birdsnest also does well in a variety of lighting and flow conditions, making it an ideal choice for beginners.
6. Forest Fire Digitata
Forest Fire Digitata is a fast-growing and hardy SPS coral that’s perfect for beginners who want to see results quickly. It features a bright orange and red coloration with a pop of green at the tip when grown in proper lighting that can add a pop of color to your reef tank. Forest Fire Digitata also does well in a variety of lighting and flow conditions, making it an easy choice for beginners.
7. Poletti’s Yellow Tip Acropora
Poletti’s Yellow Tip Acropora is a stunning SPS coral that features a bright yellow coloration at the tip in stark contrast to the green base and intricate growth patterns. Poletti’s Yellow Tip is one of the hardier Acropora corals that can thrive in a variety of conditions. Poletti’s Yellow Tip Acropora is an excellent choice for beginners who want a unique and eye-catching addition to their reef tank.
8. Bali Green Slimer
Bali Green Slimer is another great first Acropora to try. It is a hardy and fast-growing SPS coral that’s perfect for beginners. It features a vibrant green coloration and unique, growth patterns that can add interest and texture to your reef tank. Bali Green Slimer also does well in a variety of lighting and flow conditions, making it an ideal choice for beginners.
9. Red Hot Chili Peppers Montipora
Red Hot Chili Peppers Montipora is a hardy and fast-growing SPS coral that’s perfect for beginners who want to see results quickly. It features a green base and red polyps that can add a pop of color to your reef tank. Red Hot Chili Peppers Montipora also does well in a variety of lighting and flow conditions, making it an easy choice for beginners.
10. WWC Grafted Cap Montipora
WWC Grafted Cap Montipora is a beautiful and unique SPS coral that features a bright red and green coloration. It’s hardy and easy to care for, making it a great choice for beginners. WWC Grafted Cap Montipora also does well in a variety of lighting and flow conditions, making it an ideal choice for beginners who want a stunning and unique addition to their reef tank.
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped you choose the best beginner-friendly SPS corals for your reef tank. Remember to keep an eye on your water parameters, provide adequate lighting and flow, and feed your corals regularly to keep them healthy and thriving. When adding new corals to your tank remember to always go through the proper acclimating and dipping process. We prefer to use Bayer 2-way formula with sps corals especially as it will kill bugs but not your more sensitive sps corals. If you are wanting to dive deeper into sps corals make sure to check out our sps categories page that will give you more tips and tricks to grow sps corals like an expert.
FAQs
How often should I feed my SPS corals?
It’s recommended to feed SPS corals 2-3 times a week.
Can I add SPS corals to a new tank?
No, SPS corals should only be added to a mature tank that has been established for at least 6-12 months.
What lighting is best for SPS corals?
SPS corals require strong lighting, we use a combination of LED radions and t5s. You can see our exact lighting schedule for SPS corals here.
How often should I clean my SPS corals?
SPS corals should be cleaned regularly to prevent debris from settling on their surfaces. You can blow off extra detritus with a turkey baster as well as adequate flow should help keep debris off your sps corals.
Can I keep SPS corals with other types of corals?
Yes, SPS corals can coexist with other types of corals in a reef tank, as long as their specific requirements for lighting and flow are met.
