My First SPS (Gonna Need ID Though) PICS

[cham]

These were a rescue dontation from someone with a tank that couldnt manage them (I believe non reef tank). Not the most beautiful specimens but small freebies are a great way to start my SPS adventure.

These are under two Giesmann 54watt T5's with individual icecap reflectors and two URI 110watt VHO's. The frags are about 8" from the lights. Lights overdriven by icecap 660.

Water params

Ammonia- 0
Nitrites- 0
Nitrates- 0
PH- 8.2
Calcuim- 430
Alk- 3.5 mel/q


I dose with a two part alk,cal and use DT's live phyto. I have a low bio load so far but that will likely go up slightly.

Suggestions are welcome.


Frags are in rough shape, but free is free. I know the one is monti cap, just not sure about the other two. I usually am very careful about picking up new livestock and WILL NOT buy till I know what it is and what it needs but the rescue situation made this unique.

 

[cham]

Those shots stink, let me post some better ones. I have them in a fairly high flow area.

Looking down from top of water.

 

[Shawnts106]

Looks like Hydnophora, Pavona and Monti Cap...

 

[REEF-DADDY]

The first is a hynophora The second is the cap, the third may be a monti as well but the pic is rough

 

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8023606#post8023606 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Shawnts106
Looks like Hydnophora, Pavona and Monti Cap...

i agree. The povona being the encrusting one, and the hydnophora being the branch.

 

[cham]

Sweet, thanks for the replies. Now to do some research on feeding and habitat.


I expected to hear some comments about not growing SPS under T5's.

 

[cham]

From what Ive seen it looks like they are fairly hardy filter feeders that will feed off my phytoplankton.

Any other foods needed for these guys?

 

[Shawnts106]

I expected to hear some comments about not growing SPS under T5's.

Wont be hearing that from me!

From what Ive seen it looks like they are fairly hardy filter feeders that will feed off my phytoplankton.

SPS do no utilize phytoplankton dirrectly, meaning, you dose phyto and the bugs (cocapods, amphipods ) babys eat it and grow etc... the corals are eatting the zooplankton , which is your microinvert larvae.


SPS just really need GREAT water quality, good and clean, loads of light and fish poo... youll be fine.

The ones you have are some of the easy ones.. dont worry!

 

[cham]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8025581#post8025581 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Shawnts106
Wont be hearing that from me!


SPS do no utilize phytoplankton dirrectly, meaning, you dose phyto and the bugs (cocapods, amphipods ) babys eat it and grow etc... the corals are eatting the zooplankton , which is your microinvert larvae.


SPS just really need GREAT water quality, good and clean, loads of light and fish poo... youll be fine.

The ones you have are some of the easy ones.. dont worry!

Sweet, sounds like I wont have to change any of what I have already been doing. My param's stay at whats posted above (knock on wood) so that pretty clean.

LOL, "good and clean, loads of fish poo". Kinda funny, but I know what you meant by that.

 

[Justin74]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8024597#post8024597 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cham

I expected to hear some comments about not growing SPS under T5's.

Hehhe, sounds like some of the old rhetoric the LFS around my way use to say. Lil did they know

-Justin

 

[Shawnts106]

LOL, "good and clean, loads of fish poo". Kinda funny, but I know what you meant by that.

haha, good to hear you understood!

Hehhe, sounds like some of the old rhetoric the LFS around my way use to say. Lil did they know

hAha, well most LFS dont do any or much research to learn more about what they are selling, or try to learn more to help their customers... that really bugs me!

About a year ago I told one or two people they couldnt keep clams under VHOS or T5's... haha, funny how just a little research on lighting can change that real quick!

Its better to do the research to know WHAT exactly your talking about rather than just believeing something you heard around the grape vine.. or should I say.. kelp strand... whatever!

 

[cham]

I've had a few LFS and local reefers tell me that T5's wouldn't do the job. Ive had my croeca clam for 4 months now. I usually listen to what I hear around and then go online and research. I want to hear a number of people saying the same things that already own whatever it is I am researching.

I imagine my T5's and VHO's will allow most all corals that I want. There are some I cannot have but my options should be pretty open.


Thanks for your imput Shawn!

 

[Shawnts106]

I imagine my T5's and VHO's will allow most all corals that I want. There are some I cannot have but my options should be pretty open.

Like what?

People have told me that you cant keep acros under VHO's... I proved them wrong Big time!

Ive got a beautiful Tortusa that grows like a WEED!!! TORTS that grow like WEEDS! image that under VHOS

and yes its a blue tort... purple/blue body with baby blue tips, and a green base and gree polyps with the base... its one of my favorites!

and I got it free! hahe

Thanks for your imput Shawn!

YW

 

[goda]

you can keep anything under anything. i have sps DEEP in a vho only tnak ( switching to t5 soon)


my fav is when i walked into big als and asked if they had any icecap660;s in and they said " no cause you cant keep anyhting under vho" first off.. im doing it 2nd off icecap can run T5 or anything... always ignore what your lfs says

anyways the monti and the hydrophora dont look to happy. keep and eye on the bleaching

 

[cham]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8031601#post8031601 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by goda
you can keep anything under anything. i have sps DEEP in a vho only tnak ( switching to t5 soon)


my fav is when i walked into big als and asked if they had any icecap660;s in and they said " no cause you cant keep anyhting under vho" first off.. im doing it 2nd off icecap can run T5 or anything... always ignore what your lfs says

anyways the monti and the hydrophora dont look to happy. keep and eye on the bleaching

I love my T5's. I found a great place online to buy, awesome prices and great to deal with. The same place will also sell you a new IC 660 with harness and heat sink for $140. PM me if you want their web site. I bought my Giesmann bulbs and IC reflectors there.

 

[rdmpe]

Hey Cham, how is that hydnophora holding out? My piece has lost all of it's color It's totally white. I'm not sure if I should let it stay in the tank for a while and see what happens or not. I suppose it isn't hurting anything by sitting there. I still have two frags that look like they are going to make it.

If anyone can help ID these it would be great. This first one - I can't tell if it is just something that is encrusting, or if it is going to start growing up off the rock now...

No idea about this one but the picture is not very good.

 

[Shawnts106]

Hum.. that last picture is probably a pocillipora?>.. thats my guess anyway!

I dont know if I would say you can keep ANYTHING under ANYTHING....

I wouldnt say you could keep a Shallow Water/tidal Acropora species under NO flour's.... but then again, Ive not tried..... and woudn't.

 

[cham]

Hey Randy!

Mine are the same as pics above. No real change although I think its getting slightly more color by the day.

I love that new xenia you gave me, it makes the old pink ones look like poo.

 

[rdmpe]

Yeah that new stuff is really cool. I got a super tiny piece of it as a hitchiker. It took a while to get it going but now it's really going...