ORA Frags
- Thread starter makdaddy386
- Start date
makdaddy386
New member
bryman
Aquascape Destroyer
I started off 12 years ago with a nano and up until the last 2 years had a 29G. To echo others, stability is key and is more challenging in a small tank. I also agree that you should do weekly water changes to replenish trace elements and keep Alk/Ca/Mg in proper quantities (unless you are dosing them). This is especially important if you don't have a good protein skimmer running.
A few tips with the water changes:
- Temp and salinity need to be as close to the same as your tank on the new water. Otherwise you will shock your tank and corals.
- Allow salt water to mix for at least 12 hours before using. Use a pump and heater in the mixing container.
- Pour in the water slowly and in the path of a pump to dilute it.
- Use RO/DI water only for changes and top off, even if you have to get it at the LFS. Trust me, it's worth it!
Tips for stability:
- Add a sump for more water volume. More volume = more stable
- Try not to let your temp fluctuate more than 2 degrees in one day.
- Get a decent test kit and test often
- Don't go nuts with supplements. Be conservative and increase slowly
- Add bioload slowly.
- ATO is your best friend in a small tank
General thoughts:
- The amount of money you spend on the equipment is usually inversely proportional to the amount of time you have to spend maintaining
- You will enjoy the hobby more and have more success if you automate key tasks like lighting, ATO, Alk/Ca dosing, and part of daily feeding
- Patience is key!
Just my 2 cents. Hopefully this helps.
A few tips with the water changes:
- Temp and salinity need to be as close to the same as your tank on the new water. Otherwise you will shock your tank and corals.
- Allow salt water to mix for at least 12 hours before using. Use a pump and heater in the mixing container.
- Pour in the water slowly and in the path of a pump to dilute it.
- Use RO/DI water only for changes and top off, even if you have to get it at the LFS. Trust me, it's worth it!
Tips for stability:
- Add a sump for more water volume. More volume = more stable
- Try not to let your temp fluctuate more than 2 degrees in one day.
- Get a decent test kit and test often
- Don't go nuts with supplements. Be conservative and increase slowly
- Add bioload slowly.
- ATO is your best friend in a small tank
General thoughts:
- The amount of money you spend on the equipment is usually inversely proportional to the amount of time you have to spend maintaining
- You will enjoy the hobby more and have more success if you automate key tasks like lighting, ATO, Alk/Ca dosing, and part of daily feeding
- Patience is key!
Just my 2 cents. Hopefully this helps.
makdaddy386
New member
In the last pic of the pagoda cup here you can see some of the only growth I've seen. There is a tiny new polyp extending out of the right side where the frag was cut. I possibly have two more on the top as well. How long does it normally take you guys to see growth like this.
makdaddy386
New member
Thank you for the nice remarks :thumbsup:
RynosReef
New member
Your tank looks good! After reading everything my opinion is that after two months of a tank being set up its unlikely to see much growth. Many sps frags take years of good husbandry to turn into beautiful colonies. I like to take pics of my corals on the same day of each month to check for growth and color change. With two months you may be expecting too much too soon. It's great to get your water tested regularly at your LFS. I do too to double check my tests are accurate. But I would really encourage you to get your own test kits from a reputable company like salifert and do your own tests. Sps are sensitive enough that daily swings in temp, Sg, Alk, ect. can cause the death of the coral. So unless you go to your fish store am and pm everyday, some parameters will be hard to really monitor even with weekly water changes. But the next time your at your LFS get them to check your phosphates. Excess phosphates can definitely slow growth and cause browning. So my advice is check your phosphate, get your own tests kits (higher grade than api) and let some time pass.
wizardx322
New member
i've had sps for a while now and each tank is diffent and one coral can look one way in one tank and different in another.
it can take months for sps to color up sometimes. i've had some corals for 6 months and then decide to start growing and coloring up more.
so they will eventualy color up as long and you have enough lighting and parameters are good make sure that phosphate and nitrates are low in your tank.
you got a nice tank.
it can take months for sps to color up sometimes. i've had some corals for 6 months and then decide to start growing and coloring up more.
so they will eventualy color up as long and you have enough lighting and parameters are good make sure that phosphate and nitrates are low in your tank.
you got a nice tank.
makdaddy386
New member
Thank you guys for the encouragement. I guess I will just have to be patient. Why can't this process be quicker. :crazy1:
makdaddy386
New member
What is the best test kits out right now? And which monitors should I look at. I'm not very educated on them but shouldn't some of the monitors show a couple of the water parameters?
makdaddy386
New member
Recommendations from anyone else?
chrischin29g
o^__^o<-- MY PLUGS
I bought a red planet I was doing really good it actually gained color and encrusted a bit.. Then my heater went out one weekend and it died :/
nolanrob123
Member
That's a great looking monti! I have been on the lookout for one for a while!
makdaddy386
New member
My LFS has several frags. Just let me know :thumbsup:
SPSEMPIRE
New member
Well said
makdaddy386
New member
^^^^Agreed. This is directly proportional to what your budget will allow however :uhoh2:
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