Am I too Blue, what to do?

[kiran523]

I know it's a corny rhyme. I am reposting this from the Zoo forum and would love your advice.

I need advise from you veterans out there in cyberland.

I have a 29 Gallon tank (30x12x18). It has a 4.5" DSB (40lb Aragalive and 17lb Garf grunge) under a diy plenum hooked up to a MJ 1200. And about 35lb of LR. It has cycled for about 3 weeks and all levels are perfect.

Ok, here's the question. I am about to acquire a lighting system that has 1 x 175watt MH @20,000K & 2 x 65watt actinic CF's & 4 moon light LED's (305w total). I know it's very blue but it's a killer deal.

I love Zoo's but I am worried about Bleaching and/or too much rapid growth. I've read many threads where people have had more wattage and had no probs. Could I get some advise on Zoo's and/or other corals that would be good for my Tank and where to get frags/corals from. I talked to Dick Perrin @ Tropicorium. Very Nice man, very helpful and friendly.

I really appreciate it and thank you all for creating an incredible forum.

Thanks

 

[Wiskey]

I don't think it will be too much light for zoos at all. I had some zoos under a 250W XM10K with 2X32W PC atinics in a 15 gallon tank and they did well.

If you don't like how blue the fixture is you could always replace the MH with a 14 or 10K, or one of the PC's with a 10K.

You will probably get better responce in the Zoo fourm on the zoos though, this is all about SPS.

Whiskey

 

[kiran523]

thanks, I am actually interested in SPS now, since I am getting lighting that can sustain the critters. Any suggestions?

 

[Wiskey]

Sps are all about water quality and flow.

What do you have for water movemement? What are your levels? What kind of skimmer do you use? How do you test/maintain CA and alk? What's your fish load?

These are the main issues for maintaining SPS. If all you are looking for is a suggestion as to what kind of SPS is best to start with look for montipora species, cap or digi, they are good starter SPS.

Whiskey

 

[stevemc]

Some zoas like lots of light and some dont like too much. I have many zoas and have plenty more light than that and all zoas are fine- see my tank description for lights. SPS as said before has so much to do with water flow and quality and consistancy. Try zoas first, then when you know you can keep water consistant- calcium reactor or kalk reactor are best for consistant levels.

 

[kiran523]

Right now I have a MJ1200 and a MJ900 for flow.
Levels: Ca around 550ppm, I'm using sea chem supplements and Purple up. My Alk is usually around 8-10 dKh, My nitrate's are around 20, pH- 8.2 to 8.3, Salinity- 1.023-1.024, rest of the levels are always flat-line.

I just have 1 Damsel and 3 Hermit Crabs right now. I'm not using a skimmer right now. I am a little confused about that. Someone told me it was best to use a skimmer about 6 months after the tank has established.

Do you feel that one should transtition from soft to LPS and finally SPS or does it not really matter? Thanks.

 

[NuclearReefs]

Id change the PC's to 50/50's half 10K and half Actinics..
SPS grow better in lower kelvin lighting but color up better in the heavy blue areas .. unless you want natural coloration.....

 

[stevemc]

Nitrate @ 20, is high for SPS, try to get it to 0. Calcium is high @ 550, but if your alk is OK then leave it for now. If you dont have any coral or not much coralline algae, then dont add any more calcium. Shoot for 400-440. Its so high it could screw up your alk levels. You could do water changes to get the nitrates down, and start using the skimmer. Its good that you test your water. And its still a young tank, be patient. It will go through several phases, thats normal, and it should achieve balance and stay good and healthy. If you want SPS then you should try to not keep fish or at least hardly any fish. At first. Make sure the hermits are reef safe.

 

[kiran523]

I was thinking about doing the 50-50 on the CF's, I'll do that. I actually stopped giving my tank Calcium 5 days to get the levels to come down. I am getting a lot of coralline growth. I'm going to try to shoot for a level of 450. I'll do the water change. I haven't done one so far. In the end I plan on having a red or purple tang for algae control and a clownfish because I've liked them before Nemo was even thought of.

Could you suggest a skimmer that would be good for my tank?

thanks