can I add SPS? new 400 Gallon setup

[michael grady]

Hi Guys,

This is my second tank - the other was a 220 mixed reef that was lost in a house fire.

I'm rebuilding, and have started a 400 gal display with a 100 gal sump. This will be an all SPS tank

The tank has been running for 6-7 weeks. My nitrates are still a little high (about 6-12 PPM)despite water changes, shutting of the UV light, and adding Brightwel's Macrobacter 7.

Otherwise my numbers are:

Conductivity 35
Calcium 350
Alk dKH 9
pH 8.2
Temp 78
Phosphate 0
Nitrates 6-12 PPM


Do you guys think I should continue to wait before adding acros, etc?
I'm anxious to go!

Thanks!

Michael

 

[oldbones]

Calcium looks pretty low for a brand new tank, what salt mix are you using?

Is anything good growing on your rocks yet? Coraline?

You could do like I am, and start the tank with some "beginner SPS frags". I'm not gluing them in, just running with some of the easier, less expensive stuff for a while until the tank gets more stable, the corals show good growth and color, then I can replace those with nicer stuff, and sell the beginner stuff back to the LFS or to other reefers.

 

[Cosmojo]

Yep, you're all set. I don't see an issue with the nitrates at all, corals need them to grow. Between coral and macro algae, you should be good to go.

 

[michael grady]

no--nothing growing on rocks yet. I'm using red sea mix. Of course, I haven't fired up the Ca reactor yet.

Michael

 

[oldbones]

What rock and substrate did you start the tank with?

I ask, because with my new startup, all numbers were perfect, but SPS didn't do well at the beginning. Never found a cause, but once life started to sprout on my rocks and in the sandbed, the tank also began to support corals.

 

[Wiskey]

I would boost CA to 420 to even the numbers out a touch, test MG and make sure it's around 1300 then add a couple Monti's to test the tank. If they do well I'd get some tester Acros.

I would also make sure I have at least one fish in there before I start adding coral though.

Whiskey

 

[nyxx]

My thought is that it's always a good idea to slowly add corals so you don't spend a ton money on a huge load of SPS then something goes wrong and you lose them. Maybe try a few frags and if they do well for a few weeks add some more. Just my two cents.

 

[biggles]

As long as you're experienced with SPS and aware of their requirements to thrive i can't see why you couldn't begin coral stocking Michael. The advice the guys have given is sound and i'd urge you to get your parameters to the correct levels before you consider stocking the system.
A few test acro frags as nyxx suggested would be a wise approach - acros will let you know if you're system is up to par very quickly mate.

 

[michael grady]

Thanks guys. I added 9 little pieces today, and just turned on 1 of 3 MHs. I placed all of the pieces under the single Halide, and will fire it up 2 hits a day for a couple weeks. I have blue LEDs that will run 12 hours a day.

 

[reefmutt]

Good luck.. I think your pretty good for acros.. Give these some time.
Your n is probably perfect for acros.
You're going to need a few pics soon...
No pressure.. Just sayin'

 

[MCC]

no--nothing growing on rocks yet. I'm using red sea mix. Of course, I haven't fired up the Ca reactor yet.

Michael

even without the calcium reactor, 350 ppm is still quite low especially when you have nothing in the tank to take up the supply

 

[Peter Eichler]

I would suspect your salinity is lower than you think. Get that number double checked and make sure whatever you're measuring with is calibrated with the proper solution and not RO/DI.