SPS Coral Requirements?

[Aquat]

Want to take a shot at growing some. But don't know where to start.

Here are my specs:
36 bow front (3 months)
T5HO 24w Actinic, 24w 6700k (probably going to buy another fixture)
Aquaclear 50 DIY refugium, Fluval 306

0 Ammonia
0 Nitrate
0 Nitrite
N/A Calcium
N/A Phosphate

 

[dabandit]

First step is buy a good test kit and replace n/a with a number and add ph,salinity and dkh to that list. SPS is all about stability....just that simple,test often and keep it as stable as possible.

 

[dabandit]

.....and watch for nitrate when your running that filter,they work great if you clean them often but can build up nitrates FAST!!! if your not paying attention.

Little luck dont hurt either lol

 

[stlcard]

ditch the canister... they are nothing but trouble. i can speak from experience. i ran the same one.

Moving to a sump was 1 of the many things i did to GREATLY improve conditions in my tank.

 

[stlcard]

ditch the canister... they are nothing but trouble. i can speak from experience. i ran the same one.

Moving to a sump was 1 of the many things i did to GREATLY improve conditions in my tank.

 

[phinfan8]

+2 on the canister filter.

 

[Dexters Reef]

I ditched my old setup with a canister that always battled nitrates and went to a sump/refugium. I would never run a canister again after seeing how much better my tank is with a sump.

Alkalinity is very important for SPS, invest in a quality ALK test kit, along with Calcium and magnesium. Be prepared for more frequent water changes, or supplemental dosing of CA and ALK to maintain these levels.

 

[tripdad]

For a lot of knowledge in a very fun to learn way read the TOTM articles. Notice how they hold thier parameters rock solid and what they test for. I have learned a lot and gotten great inspiration. You don't need all the equipment right away or all the supplements but you will need, as stated above , to test the big 3,Calcium Alk Magnesium, and maintain them with water changes or dosing or another method.Also try and get a water top off system to stabilize salinity. Oh, and so you don't repeat my mistake, get a heater WITH a controller, they're cheap.

 

[jason_bradbury]

if thats a 2 bulb hood i think you need better lighting, i would think a 4 or 5 bulb set up...and i agree with everyone else, ditch the canister, and you need more tests...your cal, mag, strontium are real important ..if those levels arent right, youre throwing money in the toilet and everything dies..and do you have a skimmer?? definatley need 1

 

[jason_bradbury]

if thats a 2 bulb hood i think you need better lighting, i would think a 4 or 5 bulb set up...and i agree with everyone else, ditch the canister, and you need more tests...your cal, mag, strontium are real important ..if those levels arent right, youre throwing money in the toilet and everything dies..and do you have a skimmer?? definatley need 1