first piece of sps!!

[unit15]

So tommorrow I'm going to get my first piece of sps, new tank and I plan on it bieng sps dominant.

Right now

Nitrate : 0

Nitrite : 0

Phosphate, unbelievably enough : 0 ( I have always had trouble keeping it under .03 but the gfo reactor got it lower then it has ever been.

Ph : unknown ATM

salinity : 1.024-25

Temp 78-80

Cal. : unknown

Mag : unkown

Alk: unkown

 

[unit15]

Were should they be at???

 

[michika]

So tommorrow I'm going to get my first piece of sps, new tank and I plan on it bieng sps dominant.

Right now

Nitrate : 0

Nitrite : 0

Phosphate, unbelievably enough : 0 ( I have always had trouble keeping it under .03 but the gfo reactor got it lower then it has ever been.

Ph : unknown ATM

salinity : 1.024-25

Temp 78-80

Cal. : unknown

Mag : unkown

Alk: unkown

You might have better success if you test the trifecta; Ca, Mg, and Alk/dKH and start there. Low dKH can trigger STN from the base. Start testing these and start documenting them. This is key to your long term success and happiness!

Good luck on your SPS tank!

 

[DopeCantWin]

Were should they be at???

You should at least know your alkalinity so you could keep it stable. Calcium too. Other things look good and more test kits will come later.

 

[unit15]

Thank you

 

[Allmost]

get some reliable test kits for KH, CA++ and MG.

Keep salinity stable.

CA++ needs to be at 420, and needs to stay there. so you have to dose as it gets used.
MG should be about 1350, again keep it stable, but systems use alot less MG.

alk, depends on the salt mix you use, but test your water when you get a test, and whatever value you get, stick to it, and keep it stable at that value. you will have to start dosing for it soon to stay constant. this is the most important parameter right now, as even a 0.5 Dkh shift will cause stress in corals. from 7-12 are all fine, as long as its STABLE


when you get ure new piece, acclimate it, by placing it low on sand bed, and moving it up after some time [a week or so] this is specially important with LED users, can fry your frag.

any other questions, let us know.

HTH,

 

[unit15]

My plan is to pick up a master test kit when I buy this sps, also calcium supllements just cause I know I will eventually need them!

But where should they all be at??

 

[michika]

when you get ure new piece, acclimate it, by placing it low on sand bed, and moving it up after some time [a week or so] this is specially important with LED users, can fry your frag.

Yup.

And don't forget to consider QT procedures, dipping, etc.

 

[Allmost]

My plan is to pick up a master test kit when I buy this sps, also calcium supllements just cause I know I will eventually need them!

But where should they all be at??

read my post again, I gave you values. [Went back and highlighted it]


dont cheap out with API, get 3 proper test kits. Salifert, Elos, .... something good so you can trust it.

then read this article, you can make your own calcium and alk solutions.
Randy's 2 part.

 

[unit15]

Almost: sorry I must have posted mine the same time you did and I dint get a chance to read it lol, but very helpful! Thank you I wans thinking of getting hannah testers for what ever they offer it for too

And as painful as leaving the corals on the ground for a week may be I guess I have to do that! Lol

I still don't know where to leave my led's at they are 120 watt dimmable so if I put them half on is that 60 wat? Is that too low??

 

[Allmost]

Almost: sorry I must have posted mine the same time you did and I dint get a chance to read it lol, but very helpful! Thank you I wans thinking of getting hannah testers for what ever they offer it for too

And as painful as leaving the corals on the ground for a week may be I guess I have to do that! Lol

I still don't know where to leave my led's at they are 120 watt dimmable so if I put them half on is that 60 wat? Is that too low??

na Hanna is only good for po4. if you want, get the LOW range po4 meter by Hanna.

Alk and CA++ you are better off with Elos. Hanna isnt good with those. [personal opinion, too hard to use Hanna, CA++ is not accurate.]

about LEDs ... I will let others chime in, as I have very limited experience with it.

 

[unit15]

Ten four!


Just say I go with some upperclass testing supplies, am I looking at like 200 dolars? ( Which I know will be worth the money and protect my investment, i just want to know before I go and they have to clean my jaw off the ground haha

 

[squishifishi]

If yo don't already have a specific type of coral picked out, I would recommend a montipora digitata. They grow very fast, look fantastic, and are the easiest Sps coral to grow IMO. Good luck getting started!

 

[Allmost]

Ten four!


Just say I go with some upperclass testing supplies, am I looking at like 200 dolars? ( Which I know will be worth the money and protect my investment, i just want to know before I go and they have to clean my jaw off the ground haha

na the Elos is like 20 bucks, and 30 for ca++. so like 50 bucks.

MG test is 30 too I think.
At first, you will have to test alot, but when tank matures, you can get away with less testing.

but yea .... welcome to SPS keeping lol

 

[unit15]

Montipora digita huh? Ill look into that!

And ok, hopefully they have those testers at my lfs!

 

[biggles]

Allmost is giving you great advice re the test kits, if your LFS doesn't stock Elos or Salifert test kits don't buy others - order them online. Your alk level should never be 'unknown' when it comes to SPS so get onto that pronto prior to adding a trial SPS piece :thumbsup:

 

[unit15]

Ok my guy is a higher end lfs so I'm sure he has the right equipment!

Here is what I'm putting it in!

 

[Prochef176]

What type of lighting does that have?

 

[unit15]

Fresh water flourecent bulbs, 20 watt






























Jk 120 watt led

 

[michika]

I laughed at your lighting reply!

Nice tank. You should be fine. Just get a notebook or something and start documenting those parameters.

Other SPS you may like to try for starters;
Birdsnest
Montipora Capricornis
Random browned out SPS with good polyp extension and growth.