Ideal parameters for SPS

[reefman77]

I am new to sps and am looking for the ideal water parameter for keeping healthy SPS. right now I have no idea what water perameters I need for SPS. Ive got lots of light and lots of flow but I dont know what else I need to make these guys grow.

 

[gjuarez3]

amonia = 0
nitrite = 0
nitrate = best if zero
phosphate = best if zero in a standard test kit
calcium = 450
alkalinity = 9 dkh
magnesium = 1350

 

[saltman1]

Has anyone tested the MAgnesium Level of freshly mixed Instant Ocean water?? Curious what it is on the start?

 

[clkwrk]

My sig shows my ideal conditions for my sps. Except mg could be up a bit more closer to 1300.

 

[Chrisrush]

Saltman,
When I've tested IO for mg, it has always been in the low 1100's or high 1000's.

Chris

 

[MiddletonMark]

We tested two buckets last May [a few local friends] and got IO Mag levels of 1250 and 1380 [both from 160g buckets].
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=607986

I was suprised, but that's what 3 different test kits read for each sample.

Then again, with salt [and the variance we found between buckets], it seems like there's variance bucket to bucket.

 

[CAreefer]

There is also a variance within a bucket as the heavier elements have a tendancy to settle to the bottom during storage and shipping. Personally I pour mine back and forth between a couple buckets before use.

CAReefer

 

[MCsaxmaster]

Re: Ideal parameters for SPS

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6826579#post6826579 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefman77
I am new to sps and am looking for the ideal water parameter for keeping healthy SPS. right now I have no idea what water perameters I need for SPS. Ive got lots of light and lots of flow but I dont know what else I need to make these guys grow.

Agreed with above, but I'll also point out it's the same as with other corals...

 

[MiddletonMark]

FWIW, Randy has a nice article here on `ideal parameters':
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

And yeah, I agree - all corals should find these water parameters beneficial/acceptable.

 

[AlgaeMan]

I think the higher the salinity the higher the levels will be. IE. A salinity of 1.025 may yield 1250 while 1.027 may yield 1300.

 

[shelburn61]

Anyone found their corals do better at a certain temp?

 

[MCsaxmaster]

I've found one thing to be true. Corals of all species will do best and THRIVE when the temperature is exactly 77.5 F. If it's higher or lower by even 1 F it is detrimental.



















Kidding! :lol: Usually low 80's seems to work well--anything from mid-70's to mid-80's seems tolerable, though most corals do see seasonal temperature differences (i.e. all year at 75 wouldn't be advisable, and in fact I probably wouldn't drop it below 78).

Chris

 

[shelburn61]

I guess I was referring to theories that corals grow faster at higher temps within the acceptable range.

 

[MCsaxmaster]

Sure, that's documented fact, not theory.