How do I know when my tank is ready for SPS?

[brianspider]

I am relatively new to the reefkeeping hobby, but not to aquariums. My 29g tank has been running for 4 months, is lit by a Kessil a350, and has about ~1250 gph of flow. Water parameters look solid, and the softies and LPS I do have display good color, extension, and growth (in my opinion at least). While my calcium is a little high at 480, my alkalinity is stable at 8.5 (Although I don't put much faith in these numbers since my tank isn't fully stocked and I only have a few Ca consumers). I feel that I am fairly knowledgable for my level, and probably even spend too much time on my tank and trying to inform myself. But, I do realize there will be a lot of learning on the job with my entry into SPS. So far in this hobby I've discovered that research and the expansion of one's knowledge is irreplaceable, but ultimately one has to take the leap and gain experience for himself. With that in mind, am I ready to jump in?

If more specifics on my tank or regimen are necessary, just ask and I'd be more than happy to provide the details.

 

[hobbby3]

I'm still new to the hobby but in my experience it took about 7 months to support SPS. About the time I had no algae and coraline algae was growing like wild fire my SPS started to take off.

couple of basic questions for you...

Do you have RO/DI water for your auto top off
What are you big 3 numbers
Is you alk stable someplace between 7-10dkh +- .5 dkh per day
do you have a plan in place to keep alk stable like kalk or 2 part
Is your phosphate .08 or under

 

[brianspider]

I'm still new to the hobby but in my experience it took about 7 months to support SPS. About the time I had no algae and coraline algae was growing like wild fire my SPS started to take off.

couple of basic questions for you...

Do you have RO/DI water for your auto top off
What are you big 3 numbers
Is you alk stable someplace between 7-10dkh +- .5 dkh per day
do you have a plan in place to keep alk stable like kalk or 2 part
Is your phosphate .08 or under

-RO/DI- Check
-Do you mean A/N/N? Ammonia-0, Nitrite-0, Nitrate-2.5. I have read in some threads that some nitrate in a tank is beneficial and indicative of an environment that is not nutrient starved. Is this true?
-I have not done daily Alk testing. Before I got my skimmer, I did weekly water changes, testing my water every time beforehand. Alk was 7.7 at the lowest and 9.0 at the highest over a 6 week period, and has stayed more stable ~8.5 on testing since the skimmer addition 4 weeks ago.
-B-Ionic 2 part on hand and ready. Will need to figure out dosing when tank is stocked.
-I have not tested phosphate, but algae growth does not seem significant so I assume it is fairly low. I clean glass daily but could get away with very 3-4 days.

 

[rizon25]

I set up my first saltwater tank and started my tank with dry sand and dry rock. It took me a year before my sps started thriving. I got a doser as well around one year to keep alk and calc stable. You should really get a phosphate checker as well. You want to keep phosphates low.

 

[biggles]

As others have mentioned the key factor is not so much the exact numbers you keep but how stable you can maintain your water parameters. Since you put a lot of time into maintaining your tank this won't be a problem once you get into the swing of matching your tank's supplement needs - it's not hard to do mate. I suggest lowering your nitrates to 05-0.8 by lowering your feeding if you are generous now, tuning your skimmer or replacing it if it's rubbish lol etc. My first SW tank was cycled with fresh LR and had nothing but SPS in it 3 months from starting and was a thriving reef with both an acropora and a pocollipora ( a bad thing ) colony spawning around the 2 year mark.
Take it slow and try a few cheap frags and get your SPS feet wet mate - it's going to be stressful whenever you take the plunge so dive in. Read the SPS tank journals and you will pick up lots of useful info and tips from your fellow SPS freaks. :thumbsup:

 

[XxreeffreakxX]

U had my tank up 2 months before I loaded it with about 25 sps frags of all assortments .. The wait time isn't for the coral it's for the person who's setting up the tank to have a chance of getting to know their system in and out before tryin the harder typed coral ( sps ) .

Like I mentioned above I have a 75 gallon tank and when it was all finished cycling I packed her full of everything that was in my frag tank and it's been 2 months since then and I have seen great growth and great color. As long as you know your parameters are good then you should be alright

 

[ggrillo]

IMO start with some "easier" sps like montis and then every other week or so try something a little more challenging.
I started with monti caps then went to digis then to birds nest. Its a good way to check what your tank can grow. I can't do acros with my setup but what's in there now grows like crazy.

 

[sahin]

This is a very interesting topic. I would love for the veteran SPS keepers to add their take on this subject.

Personally, I believe with good quality liverock, very tight nutrient control, stable water parameters and having previous SPS experience, one can start to populate their tanks with SPS after about 3 months. - A good indicator of this stability and nutrient control is the growth of Coralline algae. Once it starts to take off, I feel that the tank can definitely support SPS without problems.

 

[brianspider]

Wow, some great feedback. Thanks to everyone who offered advice.

As biggles pointed out, I think my next focus should be on reducing my nitrates a little more through reduced feedings and skimming a little more wet.

As for the coral selection, I think what was previously stated is a sound plan. I actually like monti's and birdsnest the most so it works out.

If anyone has anything else to offer, please chime in.

 

[Modgtovrit]

IMO start with some "easier" sps like montis and then every other week or so try something a little more challenging.
I started with monti caps then went to digis then to birds nest. Its a good way to check what your tank can grow. I can't do acros with my setup but what's in there now grows like crazy.

this is a very good plan

 

[Modgtovrit]

dont start skimming to wet though because that can really drive your phos down and ur softies will not like that

 

[brianspider]

dont start skimming to wet though because that can really drive your phos down and ur softies will not like that

This is something I have had some experience with, but do not fully understand. A few weeks ago I had some cyano issues. I tried some Kent Marine Phosphate Sponge that I heard some people had success with, and overnight my zoas withered and looked on their way to death. I immediately removed the sponge and today my zoas are back growing and have almost made a full recovery. I tried searching for some information on how phosphate reduction can affect soft corals, but have had little success.

Ultimately, I want to keep a mixed reef of basically SPS and zoas. How can I address the phosphate reduction to make the most habitable environment for my SPS while also keeping my zoas happy? I realize this is the SPS forum but any insight on the relationship between phosphate and soft corals may be helpful in my understanding.

 

[Modgtovrit]

you want some phos for both. and you can slowly lower the level to accomidate the sps without making the softie mad its when you do it too fast. just let your skimmer work. i just dont like skimming so wet. thats jsut me. why not use a gfo reactor.

 

[ampemployee1]

+1 on slow reduction of phosphates. I use a TLF 150 reactor, and maintain p levels around .03-.04ppm.

I've had great success with initially pink and green birdsnest, and now 5 different varieties of acros.

 

[r-balljunkie]

1 year......

 

[stevedola]

yeh id say about the 1 year mark for me too...thats about when my tank stabilized and SPS started to take off. I wouldnt try any earlier than 5/6 mths...at least not any acros worth money.

 

[reefmutt]

Nail on the head, sahin!
I agree, solid corraline algae growth is a great indicator of proper chemistry for sps but it'll do well even when nutrients are a bit elevated, so po4 and no3 levels have to be watched.
Be careful with the softies and sps, though, you can have chemical compatibility issues..