Keeping SPS

[seven tangs]

I am having a hard time trying to keeping SPS alive within 2 weeks loss of tissue and then they die.

Sg 1.025
PH 8.2
ALK 8.2
Calcium 466
Mag 1500
temp 79
p04 .01
nitrate 40

I currently have a reactor with wm Bio pellets running for about 4 weeks.

Any suggestions?

 

[ihavtats29]

nitrates are very high to keep sps they perfer very clean water, also more info on your tank and equipment will be helpfull

 

[seven tangs]

tank 300 gallon marineland DD
Sump 200 gallons
skimmer MRC 4848 with reefflo hammerhead
lighting three 250 MH on 6hrs a day
2 reefbrite 48 inch LED blue strips 12 hrs
2 eco smart MP40's
reeflo dart return pump
400 lbs live rock

 

[mike_cmu04]

You need to get your nitrates down with water changes.

 

[Masterofnonsense]

I agree your nitrates are pretty high for sps.

 

[sminker]

You need to get your nitrates down with water changes.

in a tank that big he needs to find out where those high nitrates are coming from in the first place.

i would suggest holding off on the SPS till you figure out where the nitrates are coming from. 40 is high, and in a 500 gallon system you will be spending ungodly amounts of money on salt.

how much live rock do you have?
how long has the tank been running?

lighting seems kinda weak also. 3x250 over a 300G? Should be more like 3or4x400 plus T5 supplements

 

[oscar.millan]

+1 let's find where the Nitrates are coming from.

 

[NYPIT]

How long has the rock been in your tank? How long has the tank been set up? Was the rock purchased as cured or uncured rock?

 

[gofor100]

lighting seems kinda weak also. 3x250 over a 300G? Should be more like 3or4x400 plus T5 supplements

I don't think lighting is the issue here... 250-watt MH should be fine as long as he doesn't have an overly deep (top to bottom) tank...

Definitely the nitrates... you using any filter socks? If so, clean 'em up, clean the sump of any build-up, and do a pretty decent water change. That should be a good start. Test after a couple of days and see if the nitrates have come down...

Good luck!

 

[sminker]

I don't think lighting is the issue here... 250-watt MH should be fine as long as he doesn't have an overly deep (top to bottom) tank...

Definitely the nitrates... you using any filter socks? If so, clean 'em up, clean the sump of any build-up, and do a pretty decent water change. That should be a good start. Test after a couple of days and see if the nitrates have come down...

Good luck!

300 gallon DD Marineland (DD mean Deep Dimension)

Nitrates are the Issue, but 250 watt bulbs wont quite cut it. he will have to keep fresh bulbs on it ALL the time to keep the PAR up.

 

[CUNAReefer]

Your lighting is fine. I kept sps under 250w MH bulbs for years and years (been reefing since 99). Some were on the bottom of my tank too. Find the source of your nitrates. Whats your water flow like?

 

[Toadally]

The question to ask is, "how much and how often do you do water changes?"

You should be doing weekly water changes of about 10%. If not, that's why your nitrate is so high.

 

[CUNAReefer]

The question to ask is, "how much and how often do you do water changes?"

You should be doing weekly water changes of about 10%. If not, that's why your nitrate is so high.

First and foremost... I LOVE your quote about the cows. Priceless!!!

Second, you could do an elimination trial. If you do water changes, check your nitrates 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours after the water change. Be sure to feed just enough to feed your fish each day. How much does it take to "just feed enough", well I've heard that its enough for your fish to eat all the flakes (not that you need to feed flakes) within a couple minutes.... Of course (and this is a big of course), it depends on how fast and how much your fish eat.

Good Luck!
James

 

[M007]

+10 on the :uzi: N03