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Saltwater Aquarium
SPS-Dominated Reef
A high-end reef tank dominated by small-polyp stony (SPS) corals - Acropora, Montipora, Stylophora - demanding pristine water and intense lighting.
Difficulty: Expert
Tank Size: 40g+ Recommended: 120g Budget: $4,000-$40,000 Setup Time: 180 days
📖 Overview
The SPS-dominated reef is the pinnacle of the aquarium hobby. Acropora and other SPS corals require ultra-low nutrients (nitrate 0-2 ppm, phosphate 0.02-0.05 ppm), high alkalinity (8-11 dKH), stable calcium (410-440 ppm), and intense reef-grade lighting. The reward is a technicolor forest of hard corals in blues, greens, and pinks unmatched by any other aquarium type.
💧 Essential Parameters
Temperature: 78-80 F (tight range). Salinity: 1.025-1.026 SG. Alkalinity: 8-11 dKH (stable). Calcium: 410-440 ppm. Magnesium: 1300-1400 ppm. Nitrate: 0-2 ppm. Phosphate: 0.02-0.05 ppm.
⚙️ Key Equipment
Large sump with refugium. Oversized protein skimmer. Calcium reactor OR two-part dosing (essential). RO/DI water. High-PAR LEDs (Radion, AI Hydra, Ecotech). Wavemakers for high flow. Aquarium controller (essential for stability).