SPS Coral Care Guide
SPS corals, or Small Polyp Stony corals, are known for their colorful growth forms, branching structures, plating patterns, and strong reef-building appearance. These corals can be some of the most rewarding pieces in a reef aquarium, but they generally require more stable water parameters, stronger lighting, and consistent flow than many beginner corals.
What Are SPS Corals?
SPS corals are stony corals with small polyps and a hard calcium carbonate skeleton. Popular SPS corals include Montipora, Acropora, Stylocoeniella, Psammocora, Porites, and other encrusting or branching coral types.
Because SPS corals grow by building skeleton, they rely heavily on stable alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, lighting, flow, and clean water conditions.
General SPS Care Requirements
- Care Level: Intermediate to Advanced
- Lighting: Moderate to High
- Flow: Medium to High, preferably random or turbulent
- Placement: Mid to upper rockwork depending on the coral
- Stability: Very important for long-term health and color
- Best For: Reefers with stable parameters and consistent maintenance
Recommended Water Parameters
- Temperature: 76–79°F
- Salinity: 1.025–1.026 specific gravity
- Alkalinity: 8–9 dKH
- Calcium: 400–450 ppm
- Magnesium: 1250–1400 ppm
- Nitrate: Low but detectable
- Phosphate: Low but detectable
Lighting and Flow
Most SPS corals do best under moderate to high reef lighting. Many Montipora and encrusting SPS can adapt to moderate lighting, while Acropora and higher-demand SPS usually prefer stronger light and more flow.
Flow should be strong enough to keep the coral clean and prevent detritus from settling, but not so direct that tissue becomes irritated. Random, alternating flow is usually better than constant direct flow.
Beginner SPS Tips
- Start with hardier SPS such as Montipora, Psammocora, Stylocoeniella, or Cyphastrea-style encrusting corals.
- Avoid chasing numbers too aggressively. Stability is more important than constant adjustments.
- Place new SPS lower at first and slowly move them into stronger light if needed.
- Watch for pale tissue, burnt tips, algae growth on skeleton, or sudden color loss.
- Keep alkalinity stable, especially if adding multiple stony corals.
Popular SPS Corals
- Montipora
- Acropora
- Psammocora
- Stylocoeniella
- Porites
- Cyphastrea-style encrusting corals
Shop SPS Corals
Ready to add SPS to your reef? Browse our available SPS corals, including Montipora, encrusting SPS, and collector pieces grown or conditioned in our systems.
Important Note
Every reef tank is different. Lighting, flow, nutrients, and water chemistry can vary from system to system. Use this guide as a general starting point and always acclimate new corals carefully to your aquarium.