Rookie needing help with new SPS

[mohawk]

Hi,

I have a 125g aquarium with my first four SPS. I'm new to this world. I used to have soft coral. I bought 4 SPS from my LFS but I'm not seeing the colors I was expecting to see. I'm including a picture of each of the SPS I have (4) so you can share any suggestion based on your visual inspection.

here you have my parameters:
-Salinity = 023
-Nitrate/Nitrite =0
-Ammonia =0
-PH = 8.4
-Ca = 360
-PO4 = 0r

Please any advise is more than welcome. I want to make sure this setup run near to flawless.

Thanks!

 

[Reef Newb11]

what type of lights do you have?

 

[Reefer07]

What type of lights is a good start.
Significant information might also be your nitrate and alkalinity levels.
Also, you want to get your calcium up to 420+ but not to exceed 460ish....

 

[ngn8dogg]

Im not a fan of your 23 salinity. People might argue with me but I see better results with salinity at 25-26. Alkalinity should be from 7-11 and stable. Alk should be the first thing you should look at IMO

 

[mrme]

The first coral, Doesn't look in the best of shape. From what i can see, it has lost a lot of color and doesn't have good Polyp extension.
The second coral, looks to have receded at the base a little. But on the other hand looks very healthy.
All in All, the corals look pretty good, and under good lights (i like 14k metal halide for growth and Color) Will get there color back and should grow.

I like to keep my Perameters around..
alk- 8-12
Magnesium- 1350
Calcium- 420-480
Nitrate 0
Ph- 8.3
nitrite 0
ammonia 0

Feeding phyto and small micron foods help the colors come back quicker.

 

[A.VOID]

How did they look in the LPS before you brought them home?

What lighting do you have?
Like others said >>> Parameters are kind of low across the board (Salinity, Ca) I don't see Alk or Mag measurements. Your dKh is as important as Ca and Magnesium is important to for dosing balance, etc.

Understand that a lot of the nutty colors you see are specially chosen aquacultured corals. If you just go down to the LPS and pick something up, then it may not have as vibrant color as you see others. Look for people swapping in your area that have some nicely aquacultured corals. That helps with the hardyness too.

 

[mohawk]

Thank you guys. I'm getting my bearing .
I have the following light:
Coralife 72 Aquakight Retrofit Kit (3x150w MH + 4 x96W CF)

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...ting-Saltwater_Aquarium_Supplies~vendor~.html

Alk = 9 dKh
Mag= I don't have a test kit...I just ordered.

What type of lighting you recommend? I have a canopy and my aquarium measurements are: 72" x 18" x 22"

 

[A.VOID]

Lighting looks good, how about flow?

 

[psteeleb]

from what you posted I'd get your salinity up o 1.025 and your Ca in the mid 400's (both already suggested)