First SPS only tank

[goldfishbowl]

Hi guys,

I've been a member of the forum for a number of years, and have kept Marine fish, in reef and FOLR setups for the past 6 - had some very high end quipment, Bubbleking, Deltec tanks and so on. Due to various reasons, I had to sell all my marine setups, I am sure you can guess why.

Needless to say, I want to start again, this time quite small and highly specialised. I don't have as much money as I once had, but I am looking at setting up the following.

This is what I have;

JBL 28gallon Nano HQI. - complete with pumps etc.
Chiller
2 x Deltech fluidized Reactors (1 for RoPhos, 1 for RoCarbon)
Tunze Nano Cube Skimmer (adapted to fit Nano HQI)

Additional equipement;

Ro-Man 100 GPD RO Unit, with DI. Out put of ZERO TDS.
H2Ocean Pro Marine Salt

Plus loads of measuring equipment and tonnes of stuff from having tanks and a stupid expendable income for 6 years.

Here are my thoughts and this is what I'd like you guys to comment on, as nothing is setup yet. I have all the equipment, just want to make sure that for this first, dedicated SPS tank, it's perfect.

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Setup and clean out whole tank with RO/DI water.

Mix RO/DI to a salinity of 1.026

Add to tank, with everything running. I will NOT be using the sponges or anything that came with the tank for filtration. Only will be using the Skimmer, 15kg live fiji cured rock, 10kg of live sand, the rophos / rocarbob deltec fluidized reactors and chiller keeping everything at a decent temperature.

Run everything, including the rophos / rocarb. skimmer for a few days.

Then add the 15kg of live rock. Leave for one week, to a 10gallon water change.

Questions:

At this point I then aim to add some LPS corals, initially - any ideas? (yes I know this is a SPS forum but bare with me) - Where would you situate it?

Then after a few weeks, I aim to add some SPS - what would you recommend? - where would you situate it?

Would you recommend any additions of fish, 1 or 2? Or just keep it stricktly coral only?

Would you add any additives to the tank and what would you recommend?

Is there any maintenance that I should be aware of? Other than what I know from keeping marines before? Feeding etc.

What is the best way of attaching coral. I was thinking of drilling out the holes in the rock, using the marine/coral fixer and then fixing the coral directly into the live rock. Or are there better methods.

--

Thanks for the advice, I am really looking forward to starting this all off again.

Regards

Stu

 

[ingtar_shinowa]

Questions:

At this point I then aim to add some LPS corals, initially - any ideas? (yes I know this is a SPS forum but bare with me) - Where would you situate it? I love torch corals, Acans, frogspawn, varios brains whatever tickles your fancy. I would place the vast majority on the bottom of your tank or near creavaces and what not.

Then after a few weeks, I aim to add some SPS - what would you recommend? - where would you situate it? Montis of all sort or maybe ORA sylos/mili/acro/pocliporas. I say ora because they are tough, captive bred corals that can be abused. Most montis do not require the light intensity that acros and other 'fuzzy sticks' do, so start them in the mid-levels. Fiannly put the sticks on the upper tiers.

Would you recommend any additions of fish, 1 or 2? Or just keep it stricktly coral only? Fish poop makes sps colorful not pale imo.

Would you add any additives to the tank and what would you recommend? I use two part, others love Calcium Reactors. I'm a minimalist so i dose randomly but to be pro you could put two part on timed dosing pumps for best results i would say.

Is there any maintenance that I should be aware of? Other than what I know from keeping marines before? Feeding etc.depending on your system yes lol.

What is the best way of attaching coral. I was thinking of drilling out the holes in the rock, using the marine/coral fixer and then fixing the coral directly into the live rock. Or are there better methods use superglue gel from the supermarket. Also marine epoxy ive used to no ill effects just looks gross.