Help with Bare Branch

[defchild84]

I just got the moosebumps looking at the flatworms. *shiver* Well, as it was stated briefly, your flow seems to be a little low for wanting to keep sps longterm. Temporarily, they will survive, but will never thrive, and eventually will stn. I'm no expert, but... in a 57 gallon tank, you aren't really getting the proper turnover. IF- you calculate the flow in a way that the "veterans of the sps" here do, I believe they do not count the return flow. There is a thread discussing why you should not count your return as " flow" in your home aquaria... Anyhow, that puts you under the 10 times the tank turnover in a hour... should aim for minimum of 20, with some folks at upwards of 100, but .... 'tis "how " you utilize flow, not how prodigious of a flow you have, imo. Now, .... 5.6 alk is low, as you already know. Try to slowly grasp understanding of SPS, by getting yourself some beginner tester pieces. A great one which you already have would be the Montipora. Or, pocillopora, birdsnest. Learn how to not just keep them alive, but thriving. learn how to dial in your parameters and keeping them consistant- learn how to "read" your sps, by looking at them you should begin to understand what they are telling you. Learn to spot for Fading colors, losing white growth tips, edges- knowing how to spot for these and fixing, are all key in longterm successful sps keeping. In the meantime, read read read, and read some more best of luck to ya!

 

[gon08]

I'm no expert, but... in a 57 gallon tank, you aren't really getting the proper turnover.

I have to disagree with you here. There are many highly successful sps tanks on Reef Central that are under 57 gallons. I personally run a 40 gal SPS tank with an old Little Giant return pump and an MP10w. The key is strong indirect and random flow. Sps require higher flow to bring food to the polyps and to clean and remove secretion and waste from around the coral. I find it is easier to provide high flow from a return pump in a small tank compared to a larger tank. You do need an adequate overflow system to handle the extra flow and a good sized sump to handle a high enough volume of water to keep the pump from drawing in air. You also need to be creative with your plumbing to not blast the tissue of your corals but it is very possible.
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[defchild84]

I have to disagree with you here. There are many highly successful sps tanks on Reef Central that are under 57 gallons.

I would agree with you . What I meant, but poorly stated, was that in HIS tank, he isn't getting the proper turnover with a 450 gph powerhead. In your tank, a 40g with a mp10 capable of turning at 100% 1500 gph, you ARE making the near 40 times the turnover rate. I apologize for the misunderstanding, english is so difficult!! haha, I shoulda wrote, in YOUR 57g tank. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[gon08]

I have to disagree with you here. There are many highly successful sps tanks on Reef Central that are under 57 gallons.

I would agree with you . What I meant, but poorly stated, was that in HIS tank, he isn't getting the proper turnover with a 450 gph powerhead. In your tank, a 40g with a mp10 capable of turning at 100% 1500 gph, you ARE making the near 40 times the turnover rate. I apologize for the misunderstanding, english is so difficult!! haha, I shoulda wrote, in YOUR 57g tank. Thanks for the heads up!

Gotcha :beer:

 

[deeznutz1]

Used a reef calculator and (baked)baking soda to bring up the DKH. Don't go more then 1 duh a day. Just my 2 cent