Bpb
New member
Hey folks.
Wanted to get some opinions on water parameters for LPS and Zoa dominant tanks. I have been in the hobby around 4 years now and have always primarily kept SPS. Used to run an ULNS, biopellets, lots and lots of testing, dosing, automation, and acropora. Over the last year, I've lost just about every SPS coral in the tank, save a couple of the larger montipora. AEFW, lighting experiments, baby daughter learning to walk (if you've been there you know how much time that will steal from you, due to constant baby monitoring and intervening). I have been super sad to see them go, but at this point have kind of started collecting and becoming more interested in Zoas and LPS type corals.
They seem to be alot easier, require alot less testing, and are much more forgiving and appropriate for my current lifestyle. I have taken off all media reactors (GFO, Carbon, and Biopellets) over the last year, and been feeding the tank a ton more, and probably put one or two more fish in the system than some would recommend.
The zoas and LPS all seem to be really thriving. Some zoas are reaching a tad bit so I want to bump up the lighting, but I've gone too far too fast before and killed things so I'm being patient.
My question is in regards to water parameters. I'm not a total newcomer to how chemistry relates to the reef, and testing/stability. My NO3 and PO4 have largely been at super low to undetectable levels for most my time in the hobby. Lately they're really starting to rise. I tested two days ago for the first time in a month and was shocked to find
16 ppm NO3 (Red Sea Pro NO3 test kit, using the high range dilution method)
0.07 ppm PO4 (Hanna ultra low range Phosphorus PPB meter, converted to PPM)
I know that most folks would tend to say these are fairly high. At this point I don't have the time or energy do start doing weekly 50% or larger water changes just to bring them down, and watch them climb right back up. I do like to spot feed my corals though. Not only is it enjoyable to do, but I have nearly always witnessed improved health when doing so.
Without getting into the specifics of what and when I'm feeding and all the other nonsense about my husbandry and tank stats, are those parameters in the realm of acceptable for excellent LPS health and growth? I've always only kept one or two in the tank, and lost a ton back when I ran an ULNS (I'm guessing due to starvation). Would I possibly see improved health if I were to reduce my feedings and maybe run a little biopellets and reduce those numbers back down to <5ppm NO3 and 0.03 PO4? Or are these numbers ok? There are some fantastic LPS dominant tanks on here, and I know this could possibly go in the chemistry forum but kinda curious what you guys think.
My current stock load is about 20 different zoa morphs, A few different Favia morphs, some Lobos, some Bubble corals, and a few other encrusters.
Wanted to get some opinions on water parameters for LPS and Zoa dominant tanks. I have been in the hobby around 4 years now and have always primarily kept SPS. Used to run an ULNS, biopellets, lots and lots of testing, dosing, automation, and acropora. Over the last year, I've lost just about every SPS coral in the tank, save a couple of the larger montipora. AEFW, lighting experiments, baby daughter learning to walk (if you've been there you know how much time that will steal from you, due to constant baby monitoring and intervening). I have been super sad to see them go, but at this point have kind of started collecting and becoming more interested in Zoas and LPS type corals.
They seem to be alot easier, require alot less testing, and are much more forgiving and appropriate for my current lifestyle. I have taken off all media reactors (GFO, Carbon, and Biopellets) over the last year, and been feeding the tank a ton more, and probably put one or two more fish in the system than some would recommend.
The zoas and LPS all seem to be really thriving. Some zoas are reaching a tad bit so I want to bump up the lighting, but I've gone too far too fast before and killed things so I'm being patient.
My question is in regards to water parameters. I'm not a total newcomer to how chemistry relates to the reef, and testing/stability. My NO3 and PO4 have largely been at super low to undetectable levels for most my time in the hobby. Lately they're really starting to rise. I tested two days ago for the first time in a month and was shocked to find
16 ppm NO3 (Red Sea Pro NO3 test kit, using the high range dilution method)
0.07 ppm PO4 (Hanna ultra low range Phosphorus PPB meter, converted to PPM)
I know that most folks would tend to say these are fairly high. At this point I don't have the time or energy do start doing weekly 50% or larger water changes just to bring them down, and watch them climb right back up. I do like to spot feed my corals though. Not only is it enjoyable to do, but I have nearly always witnessed improved health when doing so.
Without getting into the specifics of what and when I'm feeding and all the other nonsense about my husbandry and tank stats, are those parameters in the realm of acceptable for excellent LPS health and growth? I've always only kept one or two in the tank, and lost a ton back when I ran an ULNS (I'm guessing due to starvation). Would I possibly see improved health if I were to reduce my feedings and maybe run a little biopellets and reduce those numbers back down to <5ppm NO3 and 0.03 PO4? Or are these numbers ok? There are some fantastic LPS dominant tanks on here, and I know this could possibly go in the chemistry forum but kinda curious what you guys think.
My current stock load is about 20 different zoa morphs, A few different Favia morphs, some Lobos, some Bubble corals, and a few other encrusters.
