Thanks for all the great comments guys!
Hi Reefkeeper! Thanks for tagging along, and i will do my best to answer all questions.
Now I'm wondering more about how you get such great results.
Keeping SPS is actually very easy to do.
There is 3 NON-NEGOTIABLES, and that is it! Aslong as you abide by the non-negotiables you will succeed in growing colorful SPS.
In PRIORITY they are;
1) STABLE and CONSISTENT Ca + Alk. (Calcium levels can be between of 380-440ppm, Alk between 7.5-9.5 dkh). The best SPS systems DO NOT VARY from its set value.
*I have noticed dramatic color reduction in my SPS either from raising or lowering alk even 1dkh too quickly!
2)INTENSE LIGHTING! - most SPS is collected from shallow reef flats <10mtrs, and therefore will do best when provided with a MINIMUM of 350 PAR. - In my opinion, color temp is only a viewer preference and has less effect on growth rates than actually intensity of lighting.
3) LOW NUTRIENT WATER! - Low Phosphates are essential for nicely colored SPS (0.01-0.05ppm) - Nitrates however, i would aim to keep between 1-2ppm, as this will promote darker and richer blues, purples + greens. I ran 0.01 Nitrates for a while there, and colors are very washed out. Once i added a biopellet reactor to actually PROVIDE some nitrates to tank my colors have greatly improved.
LaCI is tricky stuff as I've read of reefers loosing fish by over doing it. Would you mind sharing your LaCI process and your total overall recipe for success?
Me and all my reefing buddies are right into LaCl, and there is a general rule amongst us that the acceptable LaCl dosing regime is 1ml per 1000ltrs per 24hrs. Many even are running dosing pumps for this regime!
It is traditionally dosed into the water intake of skimmer via ozone port, or custom port.
With my system however, 1ml per 1000ltrs in 24hrs reduces Po4 too much, and my Po4 levels are actually VERY close to 0.00 (RED SEA PRO) after a 2 week period of this dosing regime. When close too 0.00 my colors also wash out and I have even noticed a green monti bleach! Thanksfully it has now colored back up as it was one of my favorite!
So my LaCl regime is now 0.2ml per 1000ltrs per 24hrs (IF I REMEMBER!), dosed manually, and also used in conjunction with GFO.
In summarizing, I once read somewhere a wise philosophy about reefkeeping that i often think back to when designing or modifying my SPS system..
"A filter is only as good as the ease of cleaning it"
For example, you don't want your skimmer cup to be a real pain to get out of sump, because you are going to be less likely to frequently clean it if its a pain to access.
The same goes for your entire SPS system. You dont want water changes to be a pain to perform, because you will be less likely to do water changes!
If you stick by this philosophy you will succeed. The trouble lies within ones self by making a suitable compromise between looks and functionality!
GOOD LUCK ALL, and HAPPY REEFING!
