Acro advice please

[Stampy]

Hi all,

Long time lurker, first time poster from the UK here :thumbsup:

I have recently set up a new system with the intention of keeping a few nice species of SPS. The tank is an ADA 60-P with xaqua overflow leading to a 50 litre sump so a total system volume of around 110l (28 gallons).

I am using a Radion XR30W for lighting and an MP10W ES for flow (alongside a 2500lph return) and have a BM NAC3.5 for filtration. I am also using a 1000lph reactor with bio pearls to reduce NO3/PO4.

Salt is Tropic Marin bio-actif.

Params are:

Salinity: 35ppt
Cal: 425
dKH: 8.1
Mag:1350
NO3: under 5ppm
PO4: undetectable (salifert)

I currently use Red Sea foundation A & B to supplement manually.

Here is a picture:

I currently have a S.Guttatus colony which is showing excellent polyp extension and a poker stars montipora which is beginning to show the blue base tissue (it was brown when I got it! :debi so I am now looking toward adding acropora.

How would you define a system stable/ready enough to keep acros? I have seen some lovely tenuis frags local to me but apprehensive about buying them and killing them if my system is not ready.

Thanks for reading.

Simon

 

[JT3069]

just from the picture the system seems really new
a tank will go through mimi cycles even after the first major cycle
usually allowing the tank to stablize will help keep acro's and sps alive
also as you add sps your alk mag cal draw will change as your corals consume these three
try to keep them sable as possible ect.... lil to no change
especally alk- will bleach corals and cause rt n,stn
best of luck

 

[Stampy]

Thanks JT

You are correct, the system has been running about 6 weeks now.

I will hold off for now then. I am also thinking of removing the substrate and going BB as I think this will help keep nutrients low. Maybe even the LR too like galleons system (which I think is awesome!)

I only have an Azure damsel at the moment so I will be looking at supplementary feeding.