getting started in SPS, and have a few questions

[jayhawk317]

im wanting to start adding some sps corals to my tank, and thought i would ask about a few things before i start. little background on my current tank.

65gallon, with about 75lbs of live rock. lighting is a 6x39watt T5 sunpower system. nitrates, nitrites and ammonia are all at zero. SG is 1.024 and Ph is 8.0. any questions about my setup please ask. temp ranges from 78.8 to about 80.0 ok now for the questions.

1) are my lights strong enough to keep sps? everything i have read says they are.

2) what test kits should i buy and what brand?

3) no sump, so cant have a calcium reactor and was planning on doing the 2 part dosing. i dont really know much about dosing like this, so if someone could kinda explain how it works. and exactly what product(s) it is i need to buy to does this way. a link that explains how to dose with 2-part, and a link to some 2-part products would be great.

4) is there some kind of mentoring program that you can join here at RC? i thought i remember seeing somewhere here where you could sign up and have someone with more experience help you out along the way, but cant find it now

thats all i can think of for now. thanks to all those that take the time to help a beginner out. if theres anything i havent mentioned and should know, please tell me

any help/advice/suggestions would be appreciated. thanks.

 

[sjfishguy]

1) Yes, they are strong enough. Getting a good brand of bulbs, like ATI, make the fixture even better.

2) You want to monitor ca, alk, and Mg. I (and many others) use API test kits for everything except Mg (because they don't make one). For Mg I use Salifert, but elos or lamotte are fine too.

3) Two part article: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php
where to buy everything: www.bulkreefsupply.com

4) Don't know about this but you can PM me whenever you want

I also would look into running GFO (granulated ferric oxide). I think it will save you a lot of headaches in the long run and will give you better growth and colors. Just read a lot and understand the basic chemistry behind SPS keeping and you will have much more success.

 

[reefsahoy]

i agree with mg, ca, and alk. i don't monitor anything else but i do water change every 3 weeks. i would also suggest a very good skimmer.

 

[jayhawk317]

thanks for the replies. i will definitly read those articles and will pm you with questions sjfishguy. thanks for offering to help. the bulbs as well as the fixture are ATI. the GFO you mentioned, what does it do and how would i apply it to my tank? i tried to do a search on it, but the search link doesnt seem to be working. i have a hang-on CPR BakPak protein skimmer, is this a good enough skimmer? if not, what would be a couple other hang-on skimmers would you recommend? right now i have green star polyps and 3 zoa frags and all are doing really well. going to read that article and order my test kits and 2-part this evening. thanks for the help.

 

[Fish_wiz2]

thanks for the replies. i will definitly read those articles and will pm you with questions sjfishguy. thanks for offering to help. the bulbs as well as the fixture are ATI. the GFO you mentioned, what does it do and how would i apply it to my tank? i tried to do a search on it, but the search link doesnt seem to be working. i have a hang-on CPR BakPak protein skimmer, is this a good enough skimmer? if not, what would be a couple other hang-on skimmers would you recommend? right now i have green star polyps and 3 zoa frags and all are doing really well. going to read that article and order my test kits and 2-part this evening. thanks for the help.

Hope you don't mind me chiming in here :bigeyes: GFO is a phosphate absorber, it does as i just mentioned :lol: which is necessary since too much phosphate will lead to the decline in your SPS's health and colors (long story short, its inhibits the absorption of calcium). I hope you don't mind but im going to have to rant on your skimmer. It is a complete POS, and i hate mine that im using on my QT. Decent for the price and overall skimmer but still a POS I would look into the Octopus line of HOB's, those things are just beasts and the new extreme's? with the bubble blaster pumps are just MAD SICK... Also two-part is the way to go sometimes since it is easy, cheap, and WORKS! I used to do that but have since switched to kalk. Good luck and keep reading! Wiz

 

[SDiver]

GFO is for phoshate removal. same thing as Phos-Ban. IMO A sump with a good skimmer. Your skimmer would probally work. increasing your waterchanges would help too.

 

[autogirl]

remember you also need good flow in the tank