Getting my first SPS frags: Advice much appreaciated.

[AC-WEB]

I'm getting my first SPS frags for my 46 gallon reef tank. I will be getting a validia frag and an ora green birdsnest frag. I would like to know

1. How should I introduce these frags into my tank.

2. Where in my tank should they go (Upper, Middle, sand bed)

3. How much flow should they have?

4. How fast and big should they grow? (Should I worry about them overtaking the tank?)

5. I have a UV sterlizer that I am not using. Should I use it with SPS?


Here is the equipment and livestock I have:
46 gallong reef tank with around 80lbs of live rock. Lighting include two 175w metal Halide bulbs at 20k, and two 65 blue actinic compacts. I have a CPR Aquatic's AeroForce hob protein skimmer, a cannister filter, a phosban reactor, and two powerheads. No sump tank.

Live stock include a yellow tang, two percs, three blue/green chromis, hermit crabs including electric blue, sand sifting star, funny snails, bumble bee snails, an emerald crab, crochea clam, mushrooms, zoas, and xenias. Tank has been established for two years with lots of coralline growth.

THanks again!

 

[MrKite24]

1) Just like any other frag. Float them first then drip your tank water slowly into the bag until you have 2x the water volume. When this is done, remove the coral from the back and place in the tank near the bottom. Do not put the water from the bag in your tank because you don't know what could be in it.

2) After a few days at the bottom of the tank, move them to the middle. After a few more days you can move them to the top if you'd like. Those corals will do fine in high or medium light.

3) The more the better.

4) They will both grow pretty quick and full. Don't put them anywhere near your zoas or xenia. Your existing corals will overtake the sps and kill them eventually.

5) You could use it, but it isn't necessary. I normally don't run mine unless I have an algae problem.

 

[mmfish]

I would strongly suggest setting up a quarantine tank and placing your livestock there for a few weeks. I use the same salt and "base "water in both DT and QT and believe in prevention.

 

[LifeAquatic]

PLUS 1 ON QT. I would also dip them in revive or lugols solution before adding them to any thank.

 

[NYCBOB]

u definitely hv enough light. as for placement, it depends on what kind of lighting the frags came from. if it came from strong lighting, there isnt a need to light acclimate, and u could place it anywhere. all sps like good indirect flow. imo, no need to qt since this is ur 1st sps frags.

 

[mmfish]

u definitely hv enough light. as for placement, it depends on what kind of lighting the frags came from. if it came from strong lighting, there isnt a need to light acclimate, and u could place it anywhere. all sps like good indirect flow. imo, no need to qt since this is ur 1st sps frags.

This only makes sense if you want to introduce pathogens with your first drags.It defies the logic of a QT in keeping pests out.

 

[AC-WEB]

This has been really helpful, and if anything, I have more questions to ask the person I'm buying them from. It is from a private seller, and not a lfs. I really am appreciating the advice and have a better sense where to place these frags to grow out some healthy SPS coral. I will show you some pictures once established.

AC

 

[Atomikk]

If getting them from a former reefer, I would highly suggest to quarantine those corals until you know fully that they are pest free. Normally in a case like yours, you will unnecessarily inherit other reefer's problems (if there are any present). So better to be safe then sorry.