SPS Possible for Me?

I've been looking into SPSs for my 40B and want to try an Acro or Birdsnest (heard the were on the easier side as far as care goes for SPSs) and have found some areas, at least the ones I'm looking for, were shady at best. I have ~850GPH of flow right now (will be adding 500-750 in a little bit). As for lighting I only have dual 36W T5HO's which I will be upgrading to 56W (or 59W, somewhere around there) which will put me at ~3W/Gal which may be on the lower end, but should be good if I elevate the coral, I think. I have a skimmer, but not sure if I could get a calcium reactor, which I read was useful. I will be buying a proper reef test kit (only have a standard set) and the additives it would need. Would that work? How long should my tank be established for (I'm at about 6 weeks past cycle) like 3-5 months? Anything else I should do? Also I will probably try an easy LPS first (Suggestions? Acan?).

 

I would wait until you start to see good coralline growth.

The easier sps in my opinion are Montipora and Pocillopora. I would try those first before getting any Acropora types.

You do not need a Ca reactor if you are just thinking of getting into stony corals. A doser and ATO would be more beneficial in my opinion.

You want to make sure your Ca, Mg, Alk are very stable and consistent. Also you will need low nitrate levels, 10 or under and under 0.05 ppm phosphates to see the best results.

For LPS I would start with Duncans, Acans.

 

Ok so wait until I see coralline, wait a little after, check Ca, Mg, and Alk, add Acan, wait ~1-2mo. to see how it's doing, add a Monti, wait until I'm familiar with their care, add Acro? Thanks for the help.

 

That would be a very calculated conservative approach. Definitely giving you the most chance for success... personally.. I'm way to impatient... hehehe