SPS corals are the crown jewels of many reef tanks, but they also have a reputation for being demanding. The good news: with stable parameters, strong lighting, and thoughtful flow, SPS coral care becomes much more predictable. This guide walks through the core basics so you can keep your sticks colorful and growing.

Dialing In Water Parameters for SPS

SPS corals thrive in clean, stable water. Sudden swings cause more problems than slightly imperfect numbers, so consistency is your biggest goal.

Key parameters to target

• Temperature: 77–79°F (25–26°C)
• Salinity: 1.025–1.026 specific gravity
• Alkalinity: 8–9 dKH (keep daily swings under 0.3 dKH)
• Calcium: 420–450 ppm
• Magnesium: 1300–1400 ppm
• Nitrate: 2–10 ppm
• Phosphate: 0.02–0.08 ppm

If you’re new to testing, start with alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, nitrate, and phosphate. Once you’re comfortable keeping those steady, SPS will be much easier to maintain. For a deeper dive into testing routines and schedules, check out our guide on reef tank water parameters.

Tip: Test alkalinity at the same time each day for a week. If it’s dropping more than 0.5 dKH per day, you’re ready for a dosing solution or calcium reactor.

Lighting and Flow: Fuel for Growth and Color

Strong, stable lighting and random, turbulent flow are essential for SPS coral health. These corals host symbiotic zooxanthellae that rely on light for energy, while flow delivers nutrients and removes waste.

Lighting basics for SPS

• Intensity: Many SPS species thrive around 250–350 PAR.
• Spectrum: Blue-heavy spectrum (around 14K–20K appearance) supports color and growth.
• Photoperiod: 8–10 hours of full intensity with gentle ramp-up and ramp-down if your light allows.

Place more sensitive SPS higher in the rockwork and move them up slowly over a few weeks. Sudden jumps in PAR can cause bleaching. If you’re unsure how much light your tank is truly getting, consider borrowing a PAR meter from a local club or shop.

Flow patterns SPS prefer

• Use multiple powerheads aimed to intersect and create random turbulence.
• Avoid constant direct blasting on a colony; that can strip tissue.
• Target 30–50x total tank turnover per hour for SPS-dominated systems.

For more ideas on pump placement and circulation, see our article on reef tank flow setup.

Feeding, Stability, and Everyday Care

While SPS corals get much of their energy from light, they also benefit from dissolved and particulate foods.

• Feed the fish well; fish waste provides usable nutrients for SPS.
• Use amino acids or coral foods sparingly 1–3 times per week and monitor nutrients.
• Perform regular water changes (10–15% every 1–2 weeks) to replenish trace elements.
• Quarantine new corals to avoid pests like red bugs and flatworms.

Tip: Make one change at a time. If you adjust lighting, don’t also change nutrient levels that same week. This makes it easier to see what’s helping or hurting.

Above all, SPS coral care is about patience. Give your system time to mature, resist the urge to constantly tweak, and let your corals respond. With stable parameters, solid lighting and flow, and thoughtful feeding, your SPS will reward you with encrusting bases, new branches, and vibrant color. When you’re ready to expand your collection, our beginner SPS corals guide can help you choose hardy species that match your tank and experience level.