How do you successfully keep SPS, LPS, and soft coral?

[CLYRIC]

Im curious about what parameters are recommended for keeping SPS, LPS, and soft corals together. I know that LPS like nitrate at 10-15, SPS would prefer it at 3ish, while soft corals prefer dirtier water. What parameter would work best?

Also I know that lighting and placement is very important (sps on top, lps/soft coral on mid/bottom), but how do you measure par? Is there a tool for it? If so where can I get one?

 

[Saltyreef]

Im curious about what parameters are recommended for keeping SPS, LPS, and soft corals together. I know that LPS like nitrate at 10-15, SPS would prefer it at 3ish, while soft corals prefer dirtier water. What parameter would work best?

Also I know that lighting and placement is very important (sps on top, lps/soft coral on mid/bottom), but how do you measure par? Is there a tool for it? If so where can I get one?

You should target numbers for a mixed reef if you want to have a mixture of corals and not dominated by one type or the other.

They make par meters but to be honest ive never needed one in my 10 years of reef keeping.
Some people are data nerds. Im an aesthetics kinda guy.

 

[Tired]

One thing that helps quite a bit is sticking with SPS that don't mind higher nutrients. Plenty don't- encrusting montiporas come to mind. 10-15ppm nitrates and some amount of phosphates should keep a wide range of corals happy enough, though some SPS might not show their best colors and some softies might not grow their fastest.

There are PAR meters, but you can also make reasonable assumptions based on other's experiences with that same light, and you can always start out with coral frags low in the tank and move them up until they're happy.

 

[CLYRIC]

One thing that helps quite a bit is sticking with SPS that don't mind higher nutrients. Plenty don't- encrusting montiporas come to mind. 10-15ppm nitrates and some amount of phosphates should keep a wide range of corals happy enough, though some SPS might not show their best colors and some softies might not grow their fastest.

There are PAR meters, but you can also make reasonable assumptions based on other's experiences with that same light, and you can always start out with coral frags low in the tank and move them up until they're happy.

What other sps do you recommend? I really like the "branching" ones like acros, but not sure which one would work in a mixed reef tank

 

[JTP424]

Montipora Digitatas are good for that branching look... might be easier than true Acros.

 

[Pistondog]

What other sps do you recommend? I really like the "branching" ones like acros, but not sure which one would work in a mixed reef tank

Green slimer or purple stylopora are pretty forgiving.

 

[Tired]

Birdsnest corals are fairly durable. In terms of parameters, at least- they're physically pretty delicate.

 

[ryanjohn1]

My nitrate was at 50 yesterday and my acros are doing fine