Hello all, this subject has been talked about in the past and I am trying what the best set up for an SPS tank is. I am in the process of upgrading and need your help. I have come to the conclusion a Calcium reactor, and skimmer is a must, but the rest I can't decide on. There is the refugium growing lots of macro for nutrient export and dosing kalk. Zeovit and like systems also make sense to me. Money is not to much of an issue as the tank is only going to be 60 gal. I already have a solana with SPS. Just dosing kalk and skimming and everything great. I know with the bigger tank the SPS needs will be more but am unsure which avenue to go down. Please lend some guidance, Thanks
Best Method for Keeping SPS?
- Thread starter drw94
- Start date
Brian Chong
New member
yes, many ways to skin a cat, but why not choose the easiest or simplest way.
Have you bought the reactor yet? A dosing pump would be sufficient for your 60 and its practically set and forget. no need for zeo, bio, gfo, or vodka to get great results.
Have you bought the reactor yet? A dosing pump would be sufficient for your 60 and its practically set and forget. no need for zeo, bio, gfo, or vodka to get great results.
Brian Chong
New member
i use a bubble magus to1 dosing pump. Works well for me and i do random measurements of the doses and it accurate as well. never heard any user error horror stories from it like vodka, reactors, and the worst of all, bio pellets. every system is different. thats why it's kind of a trial and error with those methods. thats just my opinion and from what i have read in other threads and other reefers experiences in my area
Brian Chong
New member
also the simple method eliminates many possible causes if you should have any problems with the tank. its convenience.
I had 180 that I took down in 2006. I ran a calcium reactor and topped off with kalk. Had great results. Been running a solana for 2 years with good results just dosing kalk. Been having an issue with different nuicance algae. Just recently was able to afford a little bigger tank. Since 2006 a lot of ideas of keeping SPS have changed imo. Just trying to find a good starting point to begin with and go from there. Skimmer and lighting is no brainer for me, calcium reactor seem that all systems use this. Some say kalk can't be used with zeo, mb7/vodka, and pellets. I have also read that kalk binds to po4 and can get stored in rock causing algae issues with no detectable levels in the water(this makes a little sense with the algae issues i have currently). I am not looking for a magic bullit, just trying to educate myself from the experience of others and make the best decision for myself. The vodka dosing method with mb7 had got me thinking as well as zeo. I have a lot of ideas running through my head, just trying to sort them out. Thanks for all the input!
Brian Chong
New member
too early to consider zeo or vodka imo. once your tank is established and you know your tank very well as in being able to spot any slight behavioral changes in your corals consumption rate, etc then you should consider those methods.
the nutrients in your live rock will go away with consistent water changes and strong skimming and not overfeeding your tank. just takes patience.
heard kalk is great but not enough when you r consumption rate reaches a certain high point. and here's a good thread on calcium reactors vs. two part. If i had to dose manually f*** yeah for reactors
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1134839
the nutrients in your live rock will go away with consistent water changes and strong skimming and not overfeeding your tank. just takes patience.
heard kalk is great but not enough when you r consumption rate reaches a certain high point. and here's a good thread on calcium reactors vs. two part. If i had to dose manually f*** yeah for reactors
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1134839
I'm not sure that there exists a "best way"? Only different ways, as has been suggested.
Lots of people have tried BioPellets with great success while others have had poor success. Lots have tried zeoVit with great results while others try zeo with bad results. Many people have tried to keep it simple with no dosing and basic husbandry (water changes, skimming) with great success while others have bad results with this approach.
The "best way" isn't necessarily someone elses way. That is, what works for someone else might not work for you.
I use bioPellets with great results btw
. Also, I have never used a calcium reactor. I dose 2 part (alk, calc) with a doser.
Lots of people have tried BioPellets with great success while others have had poor success. Lots have tried zeoVit with great results while others try zeo with bad results. Many people have tried to keep it simple with no dosing and basic husbandry (water changes, skimming) with great success while others have bad results with this approach.
The "best way" isn't necessarily someone elses way. That is, what works for someone else might not work for you.
I use bioPellets with great results btw
. Also, I have never used a calcium reactor. I dose 2 part (alk, calc) with a doser.
JasonD
Active member
A skimmer of course. If I had to do it over I would dose instead of calcium reactor just simpler. I have both a scrubber and bio pellets given a choice I would just use bio pellets. The level they bio pellets can take nutrients is amazing. Would not set up a tank without them.
Jason
Jason
Amphiprion
Premium Member
The "best" method is what is most convenient for the individual person. If you aren't going to stick with a method and do the necessities, then obviously it is not the best for you. Personally, I prefer simple, natural methods, with heavy feeding, moderate to heavy stocking, plenty of light, and plant growth/sediments to handle any nutrient issues. It has worked great for me so far.
Brian Chong
New member
Yes, and there are many ways to multiply 5 by 5. a chart, with your fingers, drawing 25 1's or using a calculator. your choice
PasserAngelfish
New member
"Calcium reactor is a must", really?
Calcium reactor needs CO2 which leads to pH drop, so pH must be monitored once the reactor implemented.
some reefers change water frequently to balance elements with little dosing while others do not change water with various dosing.
I use 2 small skimmers to remove excessive nutrient.
bio pellets do good work to remove excessive nutrient but will cause problem if bio pellets themselves are excessive.
Calcium reactor needs CO2 which leads to pH drop, so pH must be monitored once the reactor implemented.
some reefers change water frequently to balance elements with little dosing while others do not change water with various dosing.
I use 2 small skimmers to remove excessive nutrient.
bio pellets do good work to remove excessive nutrient but will cause problem if bio pellets themselves are excessive.
Last edited:
Brian Chong
New member
and how would you know if they are excessive? RTN :lmao:
PasserAngelfish
New member
RTN :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: .................................no
polyp not extended. those corals which are expected PE normally but not.
Brian Chong
New member
oh. good to know. so when my polyps retract for some unknown reason i must pull out bio pellets.:lmao:
