Week 37: Small Polyp Stony corals! SPS selection, care, & placement | 52 Weeks of Reefing

It's week 37 of 52 Weeks of Reefing, and this week we are taking an in depth look at SPS corals! This week we are diving into SPS corals starting with what makes them different than other corals, typical care standards like calcium and alkalinity consumption, flow, lighting, water quality and nutritional requirements.
#BRS160
SPS corals all have small tiny polyps and generally considerably less fleshy tissue. How small is small ? Well whatever you happen to think is small. Remember since it is not a term used the scientific community with agreed upon traits or characteristics its just a loosely thrown around term the reefing community has developed to help group the corals together in a usable fashion that doesn't require us all to learn the families, genus, and species.
Check out these fantastic companies where we got our SPS:
austinaquafarm...
battlecorals.com/
uniquecorals.com/
worldwidecoral...
Legal Stuff
The purpose and content of this video is to provide general information regarding the products and their applications as presented in the video. Aquatic sales solutions, inc. And its officers, directors, employees and agents disclaim all express or implied warranties, in any way, related to the products and their application as presented in this video, make no representation or warranty regarding the products and the application as presented in this video and shall not be liable for any direct or indirect losses or damages of any type, including but not limited to punitive damages, or from personal injury or death resulting from or in any manner related to the video, and the products in and contents of the video. The viewer expressly agrees that aquatic sales solutions, inc. And its officers, directors, employees and agents shall not be liable for any damages or losses related to the products in and content of the video and hereby agrees to hold the foregoing harmless from any such losses or damages.

[@TheGermanator91]

I wish the 52 Weeks of Reefing series would have came out when I started with reefing! It could have saved me so much in the long run. From experience I can say, listen to the advice giving in each of the episodes of this series!

[@pooldesigns2424]

Love what y’all are doing. The knowledge you depart on us reefers for FREE is amazing. BRS TV has saved me soooo much money with that knowledge. Thanks again.

[@Fraysbricks]

To anyone watching looking to get into the hobby, I've been following BRSTV for 1year with my own 20G SPS Tank. Huge success and Ryan has helped so much, my advice check your parameters often if you have a small tank DKH drops so fast with Sps its extremely satisfying. (building my 300G inwall now)

[@michaelstevenbric]

I just drunk ordered my 2nd batch of battle corals - and I am happy to blame BRS for the opportunity to do so. :)

[@kennybohey5906]

WOW...That Was Unbelievably Informative...I Bookmarked It...You Are Like The "Sheldon" Of The Coral Reef World...Thanks Man...I Can't Wait To Set 1 Up...See Ya

[@AbsoluteZero6714]

This video has helped me out a lot. After knowing about the more complex requirements of keeping SPS corals, I have decided to forego SPS for my very first tank and just stick with a mixed reef of easy softies and LPS corals and more fish. Thanks BRS team! You’re really helpful though I live on the other side of the world and as an Asian reefer I face challenges in sourcing most if not all of your suggested equipment.

[@N8DitHwtFTMCHS]

Great video! Battle Corals is by far my favorite vendor. Adam is pretty cool and has hooked me up in the past. The Battlecoral Secale and Glowstick have been hardy specimens for me. I'll have to follow the updates here.

[@josecx]

I love brs videos , this guy is extremely knowledgeable , I watch as many as I can , thank you for all your help guys !!! 😄😄😄

[@BrianGautreau]

WOW... Good job reading the names Ryan. I was lost just watching.

[@dumbooctopus3825]

every week i'm waiting new opload :) last 3 weeks are the bests of bests, thank you so much, loves from İstanbul/Turkey

[@melissasmeme123]

Great video guys! So informative and should be a go to for all new and even experienced reefers. Love your guys store and quick ship time also🐠

[@shawnriv9]

So many amazing SPS corals. Too bad just one of those frags are so darn expensive and difficult to afford.

[@joseCalderon1976]

Not necessarily. I buy many high end SPS from local reefers here in San Antonio Texas for less than half the price of retail. I don't know about other countries (I've heard that prices are astronomical).

[@tranger4579]

+jose Calderon where in SA do you purchase your coral, I visit my parents there regularly but I an trying to find a good quality coral seller.

[@freemansaquatics5326]

Ebay my friend ebay its the only way i can afford this ridiculously expensive hobby

[@Randollar907]

@@joseCalderon1976 45

[@pjfreak99]

The tank at 3:29. No words. Wow!

[@anthonysmalawipredators8794]

I think it's owned by a man named Sanjay. or something like that. look him up on AmericanReefChannel. His tank is featured in several videos

[@robertcutter6756]

LOL Nilbog Resident. I understand that reference! Great Video! I have a little 30 gallon mixed reef and I have been in the hobby for a few months now. Gotta say I look forward to your videos every week.

[@battlevision9365]

+robert cutter Awesome you just made my day!

[@robertcutter6756]

+Battlevision But have you guys sat through the entire movie?

[@battlevision9365]

+robert cutter Oh Absolutely a few times in fact. Iv been waiting almost 6 years now to hear from someone about the nilbog. I kind of want to send you a free frag actually.

[@robertcutter6756]

+Battlevision You guys must be a group of masochists over there. Growing only SPS corals AND watching Goblins II more than once. If you want to shoot a frag over to Tucson I would be stoked! I have a birds nest and an unknown acro in my tank right now and they both seem to be doing just fine. As a newbie I would do my utmost duty to ensure the well being of my very own battle toad...err...I mean BATTLE CORAL!

[@battlevision9365]

+robert cutter HA yeah something like that. I mean its not what id call a good movie but hard not to appreciate! email me your address if you like and ill see what I can do about sending you a frag:)

[@Reject06]

aw yeah! this is my video!! been waiting for SPS

[@jaredfell]

+BulkReefSupplyCom been really looking forward to this vid :)

[@StudioReef]

Waited 3 weeks for this video and it was great! :D thumbs up from here!

[@codylee2593]

When talking about nutrients I'd suggest using the term premetabolized for vitamins amino acids proteins enzymes and use the term postmetabolised for the byproducts like ammonia nitrates nitrites phosphate

[@joseCalderon1976]

I love that tank behind you! I stick to easy monties on my nano tanks and dose nanoreef part A & GH B twice a week with great results.

[@joseCalderon1976]

***** Kent Marine Nanoreef Part A & B is what I use.

[@andreasmithander314]

It's been a while since this clip was added. It would be fun to see how theese corals look today.

[@GlitterFistsFish]

its amazing how far you have come with your video oroduction and onscreem presence since this channel started..... almost looks like you know what your doing now..lol

[@AdamMcKerlie]

Man I wish Battlecoral could ship to Canada. Their stuff is gorgeous.

[@veedub916]

Another awesome video! You guys are awesome keep up the great work

[@robbradley1337]

Good thing these were donated. If Ryan paid retail for them, he'd have to raise the prices on BRS 75% just to pay for them! :D

[@kyfy24]

me + superglue = hotmess. thanks for the assist guys!

[@Dennco2000]

Wheres the pillar coral LOL. Great show keep up the good work we really appreciate all the hard work you put into to your videos.

[@tsurro8086]

This must be why the sps I wanted from unique is gone !! U guys didn't mention the cheap shipping cost from unique!! Great video as usual

[@andrewhales9771]

Been Waiting For This One!!!

[@jacobside2656]

Up next a bunch of cartoon names to jack the price up

[@Meldium]

price will always be high because of competition. the fact that people continue to buy all components is the reason why it'll remain high. as some people say if consumers keep buying at no matter what the price... why bring it down? The Reef hobby keeps growing and growing so they will keep getting richer and richer. I've been working in manufacturing for the past 17 years. I've come to realize over the years why companies keeps getting rich while the people who bust their buts producing gets the poor end of the deal. in my opinion the only components that really has its price range correctly are controllers do to its technology. other than that, everything else is friggin way over priced. Lighting, skimmers, the list goes on. being in the hobby i know and met people that actually robs certain high priced designs and make it themselves and the cost to make them is a fracture of the cost the original company. while consumers keeps buying, there will never be a reason to bring down the price, period.

[@Meldium]

I agree butt even high priced products does collapse within a couple years and many times warranty policies from certain companies doesn't respond as soon as you may need it so go and cheaper going expensive product is product, quality is quality, warranty is warranty etc. everything breaks at one point. rather a rates from the product to the warranty to the company service itself. price will not come down while the consumers keep buying that's my point

[@Stephanbitterwolf]

I was using kalkwasser as my supplement. However, alkalinity dropped to 3.5 dKh while Ca and Mg stayed high. I use Chaetomorpha as a nutrient sink. Totally forgot that seaweeds remove bicarbonate and thus reduce alkalinity. Thus, the kalkwasser wasn't enough to maintain alk.

[@shanereich8944]

Those colours, wow! Cannot wait to see them grow out ryan! Tank is looking phenomenal! #BRSreefjunkie

[@robbradley1337]

Now we're talking! SPS!

[@htc148]

the names are the reason for the price mostly.

[@NYCityCichlids]

Cool frags.

[@epicnas12342]

All I can say is "wow"

[@epicnas12342]

LOL, some is an understatement :)

[@edwardthayer9386]

Hey Ryan! I find it hard to believe you really like the rock in the BRS 160?!?!

[@beej1254]

I hope my new rainbow montipora colors up like the one in this video

[@georgesfishtanksandmore595]

Great video!

[@abh3960]

Ocean revive. Same led as radion. Jbj 45. Where should i put blues. White. 12 cnches off water

[@mse135]

What is the PUR that the seneye produces in the BRS 160? I understand the PAR recommendations, and why they are important. But I would still like to know what the PUR is. The difference between a PUR of 80% vs 65% is a difference in almost 20% useable PAR. I can't say this will make a huge difference in coral placement or growth. But I am curious to know. Also, it is going to help me get a great spectrum, assuming I am not using red end of the spectrum LED's. If I want to be the best, I have to emulate the best... Lastly, I have bought all of my equipment from BRS because I want to support the company that puts such an incredible amount of effort into educating the community. I couldn't have built my system as efficiently as I have without your companies instructional and educational videos. With that said, I did buy the Zetlight because I felt it represented a great value for what it does. You said in your last video you were going to use all of the LED's at full blast to perform testing. I really think you guys should not use the red and green channels on the Zetlight because of the way the LED's are laid out, Or at least do one test with and one without. This light looks great without them in the mix (beautiful shimmer and color mix, But with those red lights can stand out like a sore thumb in some intensity mixes). I'm still waiting to see how things grow. But the initial indications, after a few months are things are going to be good.

[@darrynschneider6759]

Great again. Is there a list of the specifications for the BRS160 somewhere? I couldn't remember what the final substrate and water flow setup was and spent awhile reviewing wks 9 and 12. What flow setting are you running the Tunze now? Have you had to tweak that? As I've upgraded the flow in my tank I've been getting sand storms and have been having to tune this a lot. Too bad you guys are so experienced and probably get it close to right first time. Examples of how to fix things going not right would be useful to first timers like me. The names make me wonder what was happening in the lives of the people who came up with them. I'd like to know what the source of "Mystic Sunset" was.

[@chasingmorphs6263]

Those Battlecorals tho!!

[@t.regnerus301]

I'd really like to get acro's growing in my system, but they allude me currently.

[@jacob7285]

is there a definitive resource that you use as far as finding out lighting, flow and care requirements for coral?

[@AnthonyMC67]

What type/name brand of lights being used in the display aquarium behind you?? I love the spectrum.

[@abh3960]

should i go higher on blues?

[@JeredDanielson]

Love the videos and find them super informative, but could you tone down the speaking volume a bit? It feels a bit like I'm being shouted at haha. :)

[@Thegasman-hc3zz]

I hate to think how much all the stock cost! :)

[@joshandcasey]

What are the specs of that cube tank shown in the video? It looks like the lighting changes throughout the video...at one point you guys are using the geissman spectra and another it looks bluer and I believe T5. So I'm just curious what bulb(s) you were running and what the size of the tank is? Thanks! Love your videos!

[@SimonRain]

@20:34 The Nilbog resident hahahah Nilbog?!!? That's Goblin spelled backwards!

[@enian82]

How much does it cost do a rough salt water setup starter tank.

[@tonyespinoza9142]

Walt Disney! One of my favorite. But pricey

[@abh3960]

i use red sea coral pro...

[@conduit64]

It would seem to me that the Reefing community shares its naming sense with the Reefer community. ;)

[@EricWoodyVariety59]

When getting these SPScorals from these different top rated coral companies. Do you still have to quarantine and dip the corals.

[@BRStv]

We always recommend dipping corals, regardless of where you get them from. The decision to QT or not is really dependent on your level of trust in the vendor that you're working with.

[@EricWoodyVariety59]

@@BRStv thank you. I have one more question. Should i have two quarantine tanks or one. One for fish and one for coral.

[@maxxiang8746]

how much circulation would you recommend for a 30 gallon standard 36'' long reef tank for sps? currently i have 2 hydor koralias [425 gph each] and a sump with a somatic 60. Would i need more powerheads for sps? if yes, than how much more would i need?

[@tkotanko]

if I can't be Right or Wrong can I instead be Right AND Wrong? :)

[@reefman46]

how the hell you know all these corals you must have someone holding up a screen that you read off cause wow you dont take a few to get oxygen in those lungs lol but love the video

[@mameebimameebi495]

Hi there. what was that lighting that you used for the small cube tank showcased in the intro segment?

[@kike8008]

Hey guys question for you where I can get a nice cherry color stand and canopy for my 220 gallons tank and also I was trying to get into the website of My Reef Creation and it seems like they change their website because thing happen it always say that page not be found , thanks in advance for any info .

[@raeesusman2026]

How about hydnophora, I heard they are very aggressive. Do you guys at BRS have any experience with them?

[@aaronhelsby8214]

I’ve placed one of my new acros on my rock and it sits at an angle, the underneath is getting less light than the top section. Does this matter or do I need to straighten it up? Or do they share the light between the polyps?

[@BRStv]

The underside will likely slowly become pale and could potentially die off, depending on the available light. As the frag grows into a colony, there are inevitably going to be branches that don't grow perfectly vertical, so I wouldn't lose sleep over this coral's placement.

[@Lind-Holm99]

Hey - i have an 300 gallon mixed reef (700 gallon overall water volume) Would you recommend to add a extra 300 gallon sump. Can do it for plumbing expenses. Im not sure if it would be worth it. It will cost close to nothing. Only price of plumbing. And give me 295g more to the system. My display is pretty filled with 5 tangs and a angel. A lot of Anthias, and dosing huge amounts of Photo/zooplankton? Would you recommend a upgrade? Love your show. Helped me through my setup fase!! :D

[@Lind-Holm99]

+BulkReefSupplyCom I know. But my tank is doing pretty good on minor water changes. I dose 2 part, and have a 300 gallon refugium. And a big skimmer. So i hope it will work out. Thanks for the answer!

[@yoursisterspanties]

Nice video, I would add quarantine montiporas and from now one everything!, I lost all my montis by adding a frag that even after dipping and appearing completely normal infested my tank with nudibranches. My god those things are nasty!

[@yoursisterspanties]

+BulkReefSupplyCom Nudibranchs survived Iodine deeping, I setup a QT tank now...

[@insectkiller2005]

Is pulse mode on wavemakers any good ? I find I don't get much flow in this mode

[@mrsquirrelaids69]

I have one of the Christmas maribellis but I lost its color :( growing but color faded :( anyone know what lights WWC uses?

[@Rahul-le3wx]

Wait, did you say the 2 part from brs raises salinity?

[@abh3960]

i use rw8 ramping ocean revive led 35 blue 15 white is that ok for sps 76 degrees

[@TheBillydoodle]

do the websites you always mention ship to Australia?

[@abh3960]

i use benepets...to feed lps sps...

[@abh3960]

i dont know what par levels would be good....

[@ameenalyousef2336]

Red dragon coral that's crazy :p

[@christianhumphries8173]

what was the volume of that cube showed the beginning with the anthias and yellow tang ? thanks

[@christianhumphries8173]

thanks for that

[@agustinperez150]

What kind of corals are the disc shaped ones?

[@agustinperez150]

never mind

[@MichaelHolmgaard]

Another very helpful video :) Now, if you keep a mixed tank, is it best to just do it solely with softies and SPS corals, or is it okay to have 1-2 LPS corals, even if the flow is only at a medium level???

[@MichaelHolmgaard]

***** Ah I see. Make sure that LPS get more light, softies get's more light etc -thanks :)

[@nonfunctionalslackfill]

Why do you talk about debates? You guys write the books for me!

[@DuoGameSHungergames]

I have an montipora cap that looks like it has std. this are my lvl's kh:9 magnesium:1485 calcium:405 Phosphate:0,1 nitrate:2 nitrite:0 i have Ld lighting and it is in the center of the tank at around 40-45 cm from the lighting. Any advice?

[@DuoGameSHungergames]

BulkReefSupplyCom thanks for the tip i Will do that😁

[@ldballoon4]

I rename all my coral based on principle.

[@ldballoon4]

+Alex Kingcole Oh, and your gonna need more rock for all those SPS. The rule of thirds will go out the window ( as it always does) when you pack em in and the corals fill out. Remember that.

[@ldballoon4]

+Alex Kingcole 6.5K is an ugly light. For a coral selling business, it is crucial.

[@capnjerkface7220]

that birdsnest looked pretty beat up

[@mallo_man95]

hey what are some low nutrient sps corals? ?:)

[@bif24701]

@BulkReefSupply. Due to the LiCor meter being off by 40% do you plan to evaluate some of the PAR number recommendations?

[@bif24701]

If I add 40% to the next number you have/recommend that's almost exactly where my system is measured by the APEX PMK.

[@adamgolden1802]

The craziest coral name I have seen is probably "Butt Muncher Palythoa" I had to do a double take to make sure I wasn't reading it wrong.

[@joseCalderon1976]

How about "beach bum monti"? Those are very expensive online.

[@animetronic6689]

What about butt kisser zoanthids?

[@user-wh4ky4yh7k]

good

[@user-wh4ky4yh7k]

اشتري منك سمك ممكن نتراسل

[@bif24701]

@BRS, still running the same bulb combo on the 160? 2x Blue+ and 2x True atinic?

[@bif24701]

BulkReefSupplyCom Why are you no longer using the AP700 with the T5s?

[@bif24701]

BulkReefSupplyCom do you mind sharing how you do that? By adding lots of white?

[@recon_M]

I’ll stick to LPS corals 😂😂

[@franklinmichael671]

What are the usual carbon levels in natural sea water?

[@franklinmichael671]

Nice thanks, I'l definitely check it out!

[@Anthony-rn6gl]

Dantes Tostada

[@PazLeBon]

why do they call reef chili reef chile?

[@BRStv]

We call it reef chili because it's a mix of all of the good stuff. Just like regular chili 😁

[@jonyvargas9861]

spaniol plis ok

[@RushinGerm]

Lol, Dante's Prostata = Dante's prostate

[@michaelrelaz4808]

There's gotta be at least $3k in sps corals in that tank!

[@michaelrelaz4808]

+BulkReefSupplyCom that's insane. Ha

[@FadiAbuTahoun]

My favorite is purple monster imgur.com/Lz3EuNm, and i have been waiting for SPS week since week 1 :D

[@sageariyaray-morey2010]

Not sure why people insist on sticking things in a categorical box when all of life is a spectrum, but whatever floats their boat I guess.

[@ska2dt]

I want to know how they couldn't have come up with a better name than "Daves Purple Unknown" ?

[@battlevision9365]

+Darren Thomas Great question. It's actually Dales purple unknown and It's a really old coral! Came from back when we didn't really name things like crazy, and positive Id's weren't so easy either.

[@ska2dt]

+Battlevision Thanks....I was kinda joking.....kinda...lol. It was so funny hearing all the crazy names and out of no where comes...."Dales Purple Unknown" I guess if it's that old and is still around with a name like that, it must have something going for it. Other wise it would be called "Dales Purple Forgotten"

[@battlevision9365]

+Darren Thomas oh absolutely man, I cant really take it serious but I have gotten more and more outlandish with the names i slap on them over the years. Tried to sell sps by their real names years ago but the market basically told me to get lost or make something up lol. The Dales is a true classic though no doubt about it.

[@evan.harvey9089]

Chicken striper

[@YAHmahDAHfooKAH]

Do all these names kinda remind you of how weed strains are named? Hahaha

[@jrfatbud]

SKRILLEX!!! OH LAWD XD

[@gregdemos9240]

Great sps outtake and politically correct in avoiding too much conjecture. Hope it stays "easy" ✌️

[@EquipmentReviewer]

Is it just me or is this guy like a human encyclopedia? He should change his name to google.

[@nickgialias8015]

Anyone else think reefers are also stoners?

[@BRStv]

😂

[@justinvanburen6394]

Shit my pants @ 1:40...