SPS Questions

[Astinus]

I am curious about SPS now. I have seen some that I kind of like.

I would like to know if there are any specific guidelines regarding water quality

for keeping them?

Basically, what do I need to know?

Of course I am sure that would probably depend on the SPS, but, in general

and what basic care should I need?

I know I am certainly a ways off from this idea.

I guess that's all for now.

 

[VW_TDI_02]

Low nutrients but more importantly, stability and the right lighting. I had some moderate success with birdsnest corals but failed miserably when it came to acros. If you test daily and make sure to stay on top of your levels (alk, Ca, Mg, etc.) then that is one part. You definitely have to make sure you keep up with your maintenance schedule when it comes to GFO and phosphate removing media. The other thing is lighting. I was using a Kessil 150 and honestly had no idea how high I should mount the light or frankly for how long.

 

To sum it all up:

- Don't be lazy with maintenance.

- Start with easy SPS (birdsnest are great and the pink ones are typically dirt cheap).

- Try to copy someone else and their lighting. So if you got the same light and same tank, copy them but start with the lights higher up or at a lower intensity.

[Astinus]

TY VW. My current lighting is the AI Prime.

I'll look at the Bird's nest.

[Sancho]

I can't help much I am a SPS killer. Start with montipora or stylophora they are more tolerant to not so perfect conditions. And will they grow out pretty quick. Your prime is plenty of light for those corals. Where I fail is staying on top of my levels. Maintenance and maintaining water chemistry is key. In nano tanks sps can be kept with large regular water changes and very minimal dosing. Although after reading you tank crash thread I would give it some time for things to stabilize and get yourself on a regular routine.

[Astinus]

I can't help much I am a SPS killer. Start with montipora or stylophora they are more tolerant to not so perfect conditions. And will they grow out pretty quick. Your prime is plenty of light for those corals. Where I fail is staying on top of my levels. Maintenance and maintaining water chemistry is key. In nano tanks sps can be kept with large regular water changes and very minimal dosing. Although after reading you tank crash thread I would give it some time for things to stabilize and get yourself on a regular routine.

Totally agree! I was thinking "MAYBE" after the New Year.

I am still pretty rocked about my near disaster. I am certainly upping my game.

I am doing a 5 gal WC tomorrow.

I have also decided that I will be mixing my own SW using IO Reef Crystals

And RO/DI from lfs. I will also be more diligent about testing and only have lfs re-test

after I have done so. I know this seems redundant, but I am still shaky in trusting my

own results with CA/KH.

[HM3105]

Totally agree! I was thinking "MAYBE" after the New Year.

I am still pretty rocked about my near disaster. I am certainly upping my game.

I am doing a 5 gal WC tomorrow.

I have also decided that I will be mixing my own SW using IO Reef Crystals

And RO/DI from lfs. I will also be more diligent about testing and only have lfs re-test

after I have done so. I know this seems redundant, but I am still shaky in trusting my

own results with CA/KH.

 

Birdnest are a great starting point, montipora can be also however they're pretty sensitive to water chemistry. I've used them as the "canary" in my tank as they'll be the first coral to show signs of stress when water parameters are slipping. Generally they'll take the same normal parameters but they don't care for high alk, somewhere in NSW range should be fine though.

 

Generally, everything I've read and what I do revolves around maintaining stable parameters and moderately clean water. You SHOULD NOT go to 0 nitrates and phosphates but I believe nitrates less then 10 and phosphate no higher then 0.03 is considered to be good. Like several things in reef keeping, different things work for different peoples.

 

SPS will tend to shift in color depending on what they're unhappy about. From that angle they can be fairly hardy but you may not get growth or color like everyone else unless you have optimal parameters. They tend to brown out with too much nutrients or not enough light. Low nutrients and they become pale. Also they can be bleached by too much light.

 

Flow is the other key ingredient, you want to see their polyps waving in the current, not all blowing the same way. They generally love flow though.

 

That's everything I can think about for SPS, I'm not an expert its just what I do.

 

p.s. if you don't trust your alk testing get a Hanna Checker maybe?

[Sancho]

[Astinus]

TY for the input HM I still have lots to learn.

I may have an issue with flow. The 2 return nozzles, I have aimed at the surface to break the surface to allow for "Gas Exchange"?

TBH, I don't understand the why, but from reading these forums I have read that this process is needed.

On a side note, the new skimmer is doing a nice job of cleaning my water Tea colored skimmate and stinky.

I can adjust the skimmer cup up and down depending on the skimmate I am looking for.

LMAO!

For now I will

[Nola Bear]

I'm not going to make many friends with this, but I think the care level for most acros is blown way out of proportion. Many acros will thrive in a mature(8 months to a year minimum, or so) well lit, well fed tank. In a small tank, like a ten gal, 10-20% water changes each week will keep your levels stable until the sticks start growing, which can take some time. Frags won't deplete a tank's water ime, colonies will. I have a 10 gal with more than 20 different happy sps. I only really check my salinity. The truth, and irony, is that I can't keep a zoa to save my life. Good luck~

[cpR]

I agree with the above posts and I strongly believe that stability is key to sps.

 

Water chemistry, lighting and flow need to be setup in a way that best suits your tank but in my experience there is leeway in each of the 3 as long as you have stability.

 

There is also a difference between keeping sps alive and having your sps thrive. I believe that's what allows the leeway in lighting, water chemistry and flow.

 

Sps have been in home aquaria for a long time and have been grown under all types of lighting. VHO, compact fluorescents, LEDs and metal halides all have the capability of growing sps and while granted that some are easier than others, it is possible with all of them if your tank is stable.

 

In my experience this goes for water chemistry to a degree also, some tanks run on 7.5DKH and some tanks run much higher. This applies to nitrates also, some tanks run on high while some run on hardly any but as long as its stable, the leeway is there.

 

The leeway in flow will only be given for a short amount of time and I think flow is a huge piece in the puzzle that is sometimes over looked. The flow is great for the sps in transferring foods but I believe it's a huge factor that the right flow will never let any particles settle and turn themselves into negative bacteria.

 

The challenge of sps is what draws me to them personally and once you get the hang of having sps steadily grow and look healthy, the real fun starts. Trying to bring out certain colors, playing around with your levels ever so slightly to try and have the healthiest coral possible and the one that gets most people in trouble, trying new additives to get the corals looking as you want.

 

This is all in my experience and I truly believe that there are a million and 1 ways to obtain a successful reef but the one thing they all have in common is stability.

 

Good luck, I know you'll enjoy it....Most of the time lol

[Astinus]

TY Nola and cpR

I appreciate the input as well

[Nola Bear]

+++1 on high flow.

[Astinus]

Nope..I guess I am not ready for SPS yet. Flow and stability and the moment.

I can add a power head, but gotta get stability.