Just a few tips and tricks for those new to SPS and reefing....

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14935122#post14935122 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Konadog
Congratulations, this thread is the Winner of May's Thread of the Month.
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Yeah! Way to go guys! Thanks to all who voted and contributed to this thread! :celeb3: :celeb3: :celeb3:

Lets keep the ideas flowing!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14932725#post14932725 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fred fishstone
Most everyone uses a turkey baster for various purposes, but make sure you take it apart and clean it occasionally -- especially the gunk that can build up in the bulb. It can be nasty!!!
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To add to this..also make sure when balsting detritus off rocks or anything like this..that the end is secure. On two occasions it has come appart on me and the results are not nice, unless you consider making 5 x 1" frags of a Leng Sy monti a benefit. :)
 
STABILITY!!!!!!

It is best to make changes SLOW!!! Whether its adding GFO, changing water chemistry parameters, changing salts...ANYTHING. Rapid changes are not friends of SPS.

Just my opinion, and experience.
 
hey sonny - congrats! so did you find that your water changes were introducing small amounts of PO4, or have you been running the ROWA on the mix tank as a precaution against a bad batch? i presume you don't run it on your top off water... ?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14940874#post14940874 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tonyespinoza
hey sonny - congrats! so did you find that your water changes were introducing small amounts of PO4, or have you been running the ROWA on the mix tank as a precaution against a bad batch? i presume you don't run it on your top off water... ?
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Thanks. :D

I don't run PO4 remover on my top off(although I will once I pick up a Tunze Osmolator). I was getting some PO4 from my water changes so I decided to take this precaution. As long as the water change container remains full I can run a small dose of Rowa for more then 6 months before replacement is due. I know it may be a little excessive to run ROWA on you water change container but I feel that it has helped my water remain crystal clear.

Pretty clear, eh? ;)

DSC_0137.jpg
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14939336#post14939336 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AquamanE
STABILITY!!!!!!

It is best to make changes SLOW!!! Whether its adding GFO, changing water chemistry parameters, changing salts...ANYTHING. Rapid changes are not friends of SPS.

Just my opinion, and experience.
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That can be said over and over and over.....Actually one of the hardest things to do in this hobby. Most people are impatient and jump the gun on everything from dosing, to water changes. Its still hard for me and I know better, and alot of other reefers do too..Dont expect everything to happen overnight...The best looking tanks have taken atleast a couple of years to achieve, although they are coming out with great products to help you get started right off of the bat now......

How About A Higher K Rating Bulb?..
How many people on here with stable water parameters, can achieve good SPS coloration with just a 12k or lower bulb without actinic supplementation? I switched from a 20k for a little faster growth. I use a 12k bulb by itself and some of my colors have faded, while others have taken on new coloration, and some have browned out. I ask to see if its the bulb or me? Growth has been good though.
So with that being said, I would almost say to achieve good coral coloration you would want a higher K rating lighting system and a LNS system. Although its not required to keep SPS,
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14942062#post14942062 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JCR's Reef
That can be said over and over and over.....Actually one of the hardest things to do in this hobby. Most people are impatient and jump the gun on everything from dosing, to water changes. Its still hard for me and I know better, and alot of other reefers do too..Dont expect everything to happen overnight...The best looking tanks have taken atleast a couple of years to achieve, although they are coming out with great products to help you get started right off of the bat now......

How About A Higher K Rating Bulb?..
How many people on here with stable water parameters, can achieve good SPS coloration with just a 12k or lower bulb without actinic supplementation? I switched from a 20k for a little faster growth. I use a 12k bulb by itself and some of my colors have faded, while others have taken on new coloration, and some have browned out. I ask to see if its the bulb or me? Growth has been good though.
So with that being said, I would almost say to achieve good coral coloration you would want a higher K rating lighting system and a LNS system. Although its not required to keep SPS,
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I used to run 10K MH with VHO actinics, had good growth but so so coloration. When i switched to 14K MH, same VHO actinics the colors have dramatically improved with equal growth.
 
amazing pic sonny! so how much rowa are you running on what size container? (if i'm gonna copy you, i might as well do it correctly!)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14942950#post14942950 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tonyespinoza
amazing pic sonny! so how much rowa are you running on what size container? (if i'm gonna copy you, i might as well do it correctly!)
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Thanks! :D

On a 44gl Rubbermaid Brute container I run a Phosban reactor with 1 cup of ROWAphos. I can usually go about 6 months before I have to swap out the media.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14950066#post14950066 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AquamanE
Agreed!! Any info on pic itself, camera, lens, SETTINGS on camera?:eek1:
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Nikon D50 SLR with 18-55mm Lens, 200 ISO, Auto White Balance.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14950598#post14950598 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
Nikon D50 SLR with 18-55mm Lens, 200 ISO, Auto White Balance.
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That is a fantastic pic.
I did notice in the pic, it looks like the pumps are off.
Right? is that another reason it looks so clear?
I have to ask:o did you Photoshop it?????
 
How do I get great growth? My tank is 24x20x20 with 250w mh. phoenix 14k (7hours). small old skimmer in a 10 gallon fuge and a korallia 3 and seio 540 for water movement. I am using reef code a and b for calcium(400) and alk(9). I do a 1 gal water change weekly and keep my hands out most of the time. Would a bigger/better skimmer help with growth? Great tank sunny!
 
If you have hard plumbing, mark the direction to loosen fittings on the pipes. I've snapped off a few pieces of pvc from tightening rather than loosening. Seems like it should be simple enough to know which way is tightening and which way is loosening, but when you've got it running all different directions on some installations, it can get confusing. I hope this isn't just me lol.

Can't take credit for the following one. Not sure if I'm allowed to post a link.

CA reactor effluent could contain PO4. Run it through a PO4 reactor before dumping it into your system.
 
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