First lps

[gareth.hubbarde]

Picked up two lps frags today, a rainbow acan and a war coral. I was just wondering how quickly they will use the calcium from my water changes. Up until now have only had softs and my weekly water changes seem to keep things quite happy. Growth has been good, xenia has grown, palys have spread and multiplied etc. Have ordered some reef roids to feed the corals twice a week with, will they help my softs too? Any tips be welcome.

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[mcgyvr]

I kind of doubt you will see much difference with them vs without..
And there really is no formula or simple answer..
You just need to monitor (test) and adjust as needed

 

[nereefpat]

Nice frags.

I agree with mgyvr on both points. I bet you won't notice a difference, until they get much larger. And testing (for at least alk) is now in your future.

 

[gareth.hubbarde]

Nice frags.

I agree with mgyvr on both points. I bet you won't notice a difference, until they get much larger. And testing (for at least alk) is now in your future.

What test for alk? I have a ph test is that OK? How would alk be adjusted, through water change?

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[nereefpat]

I use API for all and Ca, but there are plenty of options and opinions.

You can raise or maintain both levels with limewater (German kalkwasser). Or you can raise independently with CaCl and baking soda. Water changes, in your case, will be just fine too for the near future.

 

[JZinCO]

I kind of doubt you will see much difference with them vs without..
And there really is no formula or simple answer..
You just need to monitor (test) and adjust as needed

I would add that unless I had heavy coralline growth, I wouldn't even bother testing for some time. If in doubt, on the next water change day, test the alk level in the new water and compare to the tank.

 

[mcgyvr]

So.. eventually you will need to monitor for alk and cal.. PH is not sufficient..
So start thinking about getting those tests.. API is just fine..

Alk/cal are basically maintained (replenished) by water changes until thats not sufficient.. (your consumption is greater than what your water changes are putting back in)
At that point you start looking into dosing to maintain stable levels between water changes..
Alk is easily raised with baking soda and Cal with calcium chloride or other 2 part solutions,etc...

You should start learning about that if you intend to keep going forward with LPS/stonies..
And yes as stated coralline growth alone can require alk/cal dosing because it can consume quite a bit also..

I'm not sure if you have seen this part of the site yet but there is TONS of very good reading material there..
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/subject/chemistry.php

Some of it can be a bit over many peoples heads but in general they are fairly good at keeping it from being too scientific/boring,etc...

 

[Tripod1404]

When they are that small water changes will suffice. But when they reach about the size of half of your fist, you would probably need to compliment alk and calcium. Also keep an eye on the flameback, they are known to nip LPS corals.

 

[gareth.hubbarde]

Thanks for your replies. Again first class advice. This forum takes a lot of pain away from reef keeping.

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[gareth.hubbarde]

So.. eventually you will need to monitor for alk and cal.. PH is not sufficient..
So start thinking about getting those tests.. API is just fine..

Alk/cal are basically maintained (replenished) by water changes until thats not sufficient.. (your consumption is greater than what your water changes are putting back in)
At that point you start looking into dosing to maintain stable levels between water changes..
Alk is easily raised with baking soda and Cal with calcium chloride or other 2 part solutions,etc...

You should start learning about that if you intend to keep going forward with LPS/stonies..
And yes as stated coralline growth alone can require alk/cal dosing because it can consume quite a bit also..

I'm not sure if you have seen this part of the site yet but there is TONS of very good reading material there..
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/subject/chemistry.php

Some of it can be a bit over many peoples heads but in general they are fairly good at keeping it from being too scientific/boring,etc...

I have this stuff, kent marine nano reef parts a and b. I don't use it at 5h4 moment but is that the sort of thing I will need? I'm *** it is. 8n which case I'm a bit ahead of things.
https://www.kentmarine.com/products/kent-nanoreef-part-ab.htm

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