SPS coral, or small polyp stony coral, is a type of rod coral that is popular among experienced reef keepers due to its complex branching structures and wide variety of colors. Although the corals are difficult to care for, aquarists who put in the time and dedication will be rewarded with beautiful displays, lending depth and beauty to a marine aquarium. SPS coral is often used as a benchmark for tank health because if your SPS is not doing well, you pretty much have problems.
What is the best approach to SPS Coral?
SPS corals are stony corals with a stiff skeleton made from compounds, and their small polyps are clustered tightly together. This structure demands a lot of calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium to develop correctly. He emphasizes the need for water parameters to be stable because they respond rapidly to any fluctuations causing stress, leading to problems such as bleaching or tissue recession.
SPS coral need stable water parameters as follows:
· Temperature: 76-80°F
· pH Level: 8.1-8.4
· Calcium: 400-450 ppm
· Alkalinity: 8-12 dKH
· Magnesium: 1250-1350 ppm
Minimum requirements for lighting and flow of water
SPS coral do best with high lighting, and usually, LED, T5, or metal halide units suffice. The raw nutrients for feed are provided by the zooxanthellae algae that symbiotically live with the coral; the zooxanthellae, in turn, require substantial light to be able to photosynthesize. Insufficient light can cause poor coloration and growth.
Correct lighting is only one part of the equation; strong water flow is another. Here, SPS coral prefer very high water movement, which helps to disperse debris and facilitates gas exchange. Laminar or turbulent flow patterns assist in imitating natural reef conditions where the coral absorbs nutrients, helping it to grow.
Feeding and nutrient control
SPS coral, like many corals, gets most of its energy through photosynthesis, but periodic feeding can improve growth and coloration. Very fine foods like phosphate minerals and amino acid supplements and powdered coral foods can be introduced into the tank. That said, keeping a proper nutrient balance is important, as overfeeding can increase algae growth that we don’t want.
For having soft coral in a reef tank
If not properly placed to minimize potential competition and or aggressive behavior, SPS coral can also get into trouble. These are high-light corals that require strong water flow, so be sure to place them in the upper 1/3 of your tank. They also need to be away from more aggressive corals that could sting out sweeper tentacles or have toxins.
Overcoming common challenges
SPS corals are intolerant of changes to their environment, and their tanks need to be kept spotlessly clean. Weekly water tests, calcium and alkalinity are dosed every week; water changes on a schedule to avoid stress-related issues. This lack of sudden parameter shifts allows these corals to remain healthy and grow successfully.
SPS coral can thrive in a meticulously curated reef tank when close attention is paid to lighting and water quality as well as the levels of associated nutrients, creating an attractive coral garden for the discerning aquarist.
John Wright is the author of this article. To know more details about Softies please visit our website: fraggarage.ca
Comments