New to SPS tanks..Any tips?

[Zoanthids2152]

I just decided to run an a SPS dominated tank in my 29g biocube, i have had some SPS in there and done well, so i decided to go all out..

What are some tips that i could use that will help in growth? Color? etc..
I am running a 150w halide/pheonix 14k. I run carbon 24/7 and phosban and cheato algae.

Params are..

Nitrate,nitrite,ammonia all 0ppm
Calcium-450ppm
Alk-10
Ph-8.1-2
Salinity-1.025
Temp-78-83.5

 

[Felixc395]

First of all, patience, determination, and time.

Other then that it's really water quality. Your lighting looks good, as well as your water parameters. Phosban and chaeto are good choices as well.

The only other thing is phosphate, what are your readings?

And remember, don't rush. Just go slow, and make good choices, which you seem to be already doing.

Good luck!!!

 

[Faye]

Ive always liked my alk at 8dkh.

 

[joker295]

patience is key to sps.. just take kept the parameter stable..

 

[mcoomer]

You should start monitoring your magnesium levels and I'd agree with Faye that your alk should probably come down a hair and with Felix that you should be checking phosphates. Other than that patience, patience, patience, and consistency in everything that you do in the tank.

Welcome to our maddening little part of the hobby. Beautiful to look at but it can be frustrating getting things the way you want them.

Mike

 

[BowieReefer84]

Do you have an ATO? Salinity will drop fast with that halide on a smaller tank. Do you have a chiller, or need a chiller? How do you keep calc and alk stable? What about flow? I have an MP10 on my biocube and it works well. I have it on the opposite side as the return. All things to look into.

 

[Dog boy Dave]

Ignore most of what you read on here. Ask to see their tank before you accept anyone's advice. Watch your corals every day. Learn to anticipate their demands by watching them and accepting what they are trying to tell you. Leave the additives alone. Monitor alkalinity and calcium. Do weekly water changes or more to maintain trace levels. Understand there is no magic formula, additive, equipment, or lamp that will make your corals grow or get color or polyp extension or any of the others things that people want to "fix" overnight. Treat them like living creatures and understand that there is no magic.

 

[mcoomer]

Ignore most of what you read on here. Ask to see their tank before you accept anyone's advice.

That part right there, now that's funny. If someone is spouting some odd ball theories I would certainly take them with a grain of salt but when the information in the replies is in line with conventional wisdom and anecdotal evidence found throughout the forums I'd certainly not recommend ignoring it.

I'm jes sayin...

Mike

 

[lolgranny]

patience / stability. Learn to keep a habit of testing so you know what everything is demanding.

Oh did i mention patience....... man am i the complete opposite of this. What am i doing in this hobby

 

[Zoanthids2152]

My bad, i knew i forgot something..Phosphate is 0.

 

[Dog boy Dave]

That part right there, now that's funny. If someone is spouting some odd ball theories I would certainly take them with a grain of salt but when the information in the replies is in line with conventional wisdom and anecdotal evidence found throughout the forums I'd certainly not recommend ignoring it.

I'm jes sayin...

Mike

I think Mikes post just proved my point.

Mike, Last post here, sorry you feel the need to call my opinion funny but most of what I read in these forums is people sprouting some oddball theories. No need to get insulting. But you win, I am done.

 

[James404]

I agree with whats been said already. Stability is key, besides that the one thing I would add is dipping and quarantining all corals. If you don't at least dip you'll be sorry when you start having to deal with AEFW.

 

[Pallobi]

as some have said already... patience, diligence with tank maintenance to maintian water quality...... and i feel alk stability and flow are a HUGE part of it... jus my 2 cents, probably worth less than that :beer:

Good luck friend!

 

[Pallobi]

and for what is worth, i completely agree with this statement below by dogboydave... i wouldnt necessarily say ignore it all, but take most of all of it with a grain of salt... i go against what everyone else feels HAS to be done for a succesful sps system, and I am doin great with my system imo... i dont use any sort of bacterial supplementing (biopellets, vodka, mb7) i use only a 3 stage RO, w/ RO'd well water, no DI... i dont use phos media of any kind... and i refuse to use a calcium reactor (this i may have to someday though jus for the cost 2 part will get up to when i have a huge populated sps system, but even then i dont think i want to if i can get away with it)... i dont even believe in using dosers for my 2 part and magnesium, only manual addition... and i think all these "controllers" are nonsense and very much not needed... I believe less is more, and simpler is better...

again, jus my two cents, and even i feel it can be taken with a grain of salt...

and again, well said jus the same dogboydave...

Ignore most of what you read on here. Ask to see their tank before you accept anyone's advice. Watch your corals every day. Learn to anticipate their demands by watching them and accepting what they are trying to tell you. Leave the additives alone. Monitor alkalinity and calcium. Do weekly water changes or more to maintain trace levels. Understand there is no magic formula, additive, equipment, or lamp that will make your corals grow or get color or polyp extension or any of the others things that people want to "fix" overnight. Treat them like living creatures and understand that there is no magic.

 

[Pallobi]

I agree with whats been said already. Stability is key, besides that the one thing I would add is dipping and quarantining all corals. If you don't at least dip you'll be sorry when you start having to deal with AEFW.

and oh yes, properly dipping is very very very very very very important...

did we say how important it is? lol very...

 

[Bigcefa]

in reference to what dog said, IF you ignore what most people say on these forums then what is the point of having the site at all? There is nothing wrong with looking over people's opinions and methods they use, but utlimately each reefer has to find what works for them and their own tank, people are trying to help here and nobody has made a stupid comment on this thread they are trying to help.

 

[Felixc395]

in reference to what dog said, IF you ignore what most people say on these forums then what is the point of having the site at all? There is nothing wrong with looking over people's opinions and methods they use, but utlimately each reefer has to find what works for them and their own tank, people are trying to help here and nobody has made a stupid comment on this thread they are trying to help.

Couldn't agree more, well said.

On this forum, it's about the exchange of ideas that brings the community together.

If we all conceal our thoughts because we're afraid someone might think they're dumb or reject them, then there is no point of this forum.

 

[crichard6069]

Couldn't agree more, well said.

On this forum, it's about the exchange of ideas that brings the community together.

If we all conceal our thoughts because we're afraid someone might think they're dumb or reject them, then there is no point of this forum.

"Trust but verify."