Confused after so many differing opinions

Kopczynski · 05/08/2014, 09:18 PM

I am in the middle of setting up a 60 gallon tank. At first I was planning on fish only with live rock, however I have discovered one species of coral that I want to keep so badly. Has anyone had experience with Stylophora pistillata? What lighting does it need (I'm willing to upgrade for a reasonable price around 200$) what additives does it need other than calcium and what it needs to be fed. I have done countless research on everything I am adding however i can't find much on this coral. I am planning on getting around three of them with 1 rose bubble tip anemone. I realize I won't be able to add any corals for around 6 months because the tank needs to establish (so don't say I'm rushing

) Thanks for the help I'm new to saltwater and don't wanna make a huge mistake.

100%hydrophylic · 05/08/2014, 09:36 PM

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...495&pcatid=495

Strong lighting, clean water, calcium, decent flow.

Not the best first time ever coral, but you could have picked something more difficult.

wrott · 05/08/2014, 10:17 PM

Agreed w/ hydro. I'd compare it to Montipora digitata or most sps other than acros. Relatively easy for an experienced sps keeper. You need to maintain consistent Alk and Ca. Research dosing, you don't want any drastic changes even if a particular parameter may be out of the desired range--slow and steady--you will succeed.
Also, light shock will kill corals before you even get a chance to kill it otherwise--research, know what light it was used to, and acclimate accordingly.

Kopczynski · 05/08/2014, 10:19 PM

Ok I have been researching here is what I found http://www.3reef.com/forums/coral-mo...l#.U2xWmJK9KSN About the lighting any suggestions on what type and brand.

100%hydrophylic · 05/08/2014, 10:35 PM

I wouldnt recomend sps as a first time coral for a new salt water aquarist. You can get a similar pink branchy pattern from pocillopora, and in my opinion pocillopora is a tad more hardy.

If you are intetested in keeping corals, especially sps you really need to commit to a reef system with strong lights, good flow and reef compatible inhabitants. I think as soon as you buy a few corals, and if they do well you will want more. Eventually you will probably want a reef, and it will just be a pain to have to convert your FOWLR to a reef when you really wanted a reef system to begin with. I started out just wanting fish, then I had a bit of a rough time converting to areef.

In my opinion, lcommit to FOWLR, or commit to a reef

05/08/2014, 09:18 PM	#1
Kopczynski Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Westchester, NY Posts: 22	Confused after so many differing opinions I am in the middle of setting up a 60 gallon tank. At first I was planning on fish only with live rock, however I have discovered one species of coral that I want to keep so badly. Has anyone had experience with Stylophora pistillata? What lighting does it need (I'm willing to upgrade for a reasonable price around 200$) what additives does it need other than calcium and what it needs to be fed. I have done countless research on everything I am adding however i can't find much on this coral. I am planning on getting around three of them with 1 rose bubble tip anemone. I realize I won't be able to add any corals for around 6 months because the tank needs to establish (so don't say I'm rushing ) Thanks for the help I'm new to saltwater and don't wanna make a huge mistake.

05/08/2014, 09:36 PM	#2
100%hydrophylic Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: GA Posts: 1,636	http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...495&pcatid=495 Strong lighting, clean water, calcium, decent flow. Not the best first time ever coral, but you could have picked something more difficult. __________________ :) Current Tank Info: 75g mixed reef, 28g nano SPS

05/08/2014, 10:17 PM	#3
wrott Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,912	Agreed w/ hydro. I'd compare it to Montipora digitata or most sps other than acros. Relatively easy for an experienced sps keeper. You need to maintain consistent Alk and Ca. Research dosing, you don't want any drastic changes even if a particular parameter may be out of the desired range--slow and steady--you will succeed. Also, light shock will kill corals before you even get a chance to kill it otherwise--research, know what light it was used to, and acclimate accordingly. __________________ OK, but where does the meat go! ------------------------------------------------ 120g SPS, 125g mix, 56g FOWLR, 20g qt

05/08/2014, 10:35 PM	#5
100%hydrophylic Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: GA Posts: 1,636	I wouldnt recomend sps as a first time coral for a new salt water aquarist. You can get a similar pink branchy pattern from pocillopora, and in my opinion pocillopora is a tad more hardy. If you are intetested in keeping corals, especially sps you really need to commit to a reef system with strong lights, good flow and reef compatible inhabitants. I think as soon as you buy a few corals, and if they do well you will want more. Eventually you will probably want a reef, and it will just be a pain to have to convert your FOWLR to a reef when you really wanted a reef system to begin with. I started out just wanting fish, then I had a bit of a rough time converting to areef. In my opinion, lcommit to FOWLR, or commit to a reef __________________ :) Current Tank Info: 75g mixed reef, 28g nano SPS

05/08/2014, 10:19 PM	#4
Kopczynski Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Westchester, NY Posts: 22	Ok I have been researching here is what I found http://www.3reef.com/forums/coral-mo...l#.U2xWmJK9KSN About the lighting any suggestions on what type and brand.