a newbie on SPS, need your advises

[machodik]

Hi there,

I have My QT cycled for a month, I guess it is ready, my latest water parameter:

SP: 1.026
ALK: 10 DKH
CALCIUM: 420 PPM
MAGNESIUM : 1320 PPM
NO3: 0.5 PPM
PO4: 0.14 PPM
NO2: 0
NH3: 0
ph: 8.2

I set up my 20 liters QT at my house balcony (terrace) as no much space inside my house. the equpment:
mini skimmer
TLF 150 reactor with biopellet
seio pump for circulation
HOB filter
live rocks (few pieces) with some filter pad

as I am only using natural sunlight from my terrace, so I think I will add a small blue/white lights for evening , will be on for 6 hours.

Now, as it already cycled for over a month, I am planning to add few SPS (DIGI) as a trial , not much understand about this SPS DIGI but I learned it grows fast and a good start for a newbie like me.

I wonder if my description of my QT set up as mentioned above is ok? my water parameter is ok? is the DIGI a good basic SPS to be start of?

hope to hear some of your nice advises.

cheers,

 

[Cole.97]

All of your parameters look good, and by if by DIGI you mean montipora digitata, then yes this is a very good starter coral if you wish to start with SPS. If you are only using natural sunlight then you need to make sure that there is enough PAR to grow SPS in your tank. Also, make sure to watch the temperature in your tank, as sunlight can heat up a tank very quickly.

 

[machodik]

thanks for your comment and advises. it will be so helpful to me , a newbie in SPS.

Actually, the sunlight I mean is not directly hit my QT, it will be more on a day light. but now it is almost around 22 to 24 degree here in Taiwan, so I sun light is not so intense and yet temperature should not needing any chiller though , perhaps in a month or 2 I may need to hooked up my heater then.

hope to hear more from you guys!

cheers,

 

[sahin]

Your parameters are fine; except for two;

Alk: Normally an Alk level of 10dKH is fine, but when running any form of carbon dosing; you want the Alk level lower otherwise you might run into STN/RTN issues. Some poeple find running a slower flow helps in this regard...but reactor design is crucial...ie you need the pellets to slowly tumble to prevent clumping.

PO4: 0.14ppm is on the high side...maybe get it lower towards the 0.03-0.05ppm to prevent algae issues.

Biopellets arent as good as at reducing PO4 compared to NO3.

The only other thing I can think of is that you need to try and have most of the outlet water from the biopellet reactor heading into the skimmers intake.

Digitata, Seriatopora, Stylophora, Pocillopora are all hardy starter SPS corals. Though be aware that Pocci's can become a pest.

 

[machodik]

Dear Sahin,

Many thanks for your very valued advises.

Actually I got the 10 dkh in my QT because the water was coming from my DT when I make water change then, inorder to make the QT cycle faster. My DT has Calcium reactor hooked up and that make my ALK way too high, My DT is around 11 to 12 dkh, I have been adjusting the bubbles to see if I can further drop the ALK there.

I also will detached the TLF 150 reactor with biopellet when my QT No3 and Po4 drops to a normal level. I have an experience of adding some sugar along with biopellet, really does lowered the PO4.

Thanks for your reminder about RTN/STN with carbon dosing. I will take this as a precautioned.

I did directing the outlet of my biopellet reactor to the skimmer , same as I did in my DT.

I am eager to start adding SPS frags in my QT soon.

cheers,

 

[acabgd]

If I understood coreectly, you don't have any sunshine directly hitting your tank. In that case I am not sure if the amount of light will be enough to sustain SPS for a prolongued amount of time.

 

[machodik]

thanks acabgd,

wow, if that is the case, then I need to add the lights at night for at least 6 to 8 hours then.

 

[ycnibrc]

If you want to keep sps lower your Alk close to Natural sea water level which is 8 and you will have less problems with rtn and stn. The best way to lower it is to let your coral consume the alk and don't add any alk supplement until the level is at 8. Now you just need to figure out how much to dose to keep it at 8. Check your salt, Redsea Pro coral alk is at 11 when mix so if you use this salt your alk will never go down to 8. Go on line and find the salt that have natural sea water alk and use it.

 

[machodik]

thanks!

I use RED SEA PRO CORAL SALT. I think that is the culprit. I also have turn off my reactor and see if alk will be goes down to around 8 dkh.

Cheers,

 

[swk]

thanks!



I use RED SEA PRO CORAL SALT. I think that is the culprit. I also have turn off my reactor and see if alk will be goes down to around 8 dkh.



Cheers,

I was in a similar situation and switched to the blue bucket Red Sea salt. Mixes easily without all the exaggerated foundation elements. I love it!