sps setup

[chrystyan20011]

Im setting up a 20gal nano tank thats gonna be sps dominate. This is what i have 20gal tank 10gal sump 2 maxijet 900's (one in normal mode and one in circulation mode) protein skimmer and hang on back filter along with a reactor with biopellets. everything is setup and running 250w metal halide hung about 8in off surface about 20lbs live rock and it is a bare bottom tank. Anything else i need? how should i place the powerheads for maxium flow to keep stuff off the bottom

 

[sporto0]

I would not attempt an SPS dominant reef in a 20g tank, they are very susceptible to water chemistry changes & in a tank that small, even a gallon of evaporation will throw your parameters off. I also believe a 250w Halide is too much light for that tank, I employ 250w halides on my 90g but they are over 12" above the surface.

 

[offdahooklikeoj]

^^^ what he said, your probably better off going with a lps tank.

 

[blanden.adam]

I agree with sporto0. It is possible to keep and SPS tank that small, but it takes more equipment and experience to avoid the water parameter fluctuations that can happen in such a small water volume, and that you don't know what's required (and are using a HOB filter ) for such a setup just indicates that you aren't quite there yet.

I'd raise that MH up a bit, you might find it a bit intense for a 20 gallon, but then again maybe not. I'd also stick with easier corals (zoanthids, soft corals, and LPS) for a while until you get some more experience.

As far as what else you will need to keep SPS for the long haul:
ATO system
Calcium/alkalinity dosing system (kalk, 2 part, or calcium reactor)
Test kits - Ca, Alk, Mg, PO4, and refractometer at minimum
Carbpn/GFO reactor
Appropriate return pump and plumbing (you didn't give any details in this regard )
Heaters
Tank controller (to prevent disasters like an on position heater failure and to monitor things like pH)
A way to provide more chaotic flow
And, perhaps most importantly, a mature tank, completely cycled and up and running with fish and less demanding corals for preferably over 6 months.


It seems like a lot, and it is, which is why it's probably better to wait on SPS until you've got some more experience under your belt. You certainly have a good start, and I look forward to seeing the progress of the tank!

Cheers!

 

[Gagonzalez]

Based on what you stated so far, I would add at least the following:

Red Sea or Salifert Test Kits
ATO (Nano kit or JBJ)
MP10es or 2 Koralia Nano 425's with a wavemaker (For chaotic flow)
2 BRS Dosing Pumps for CA and Alk min
2 TLF 150 Reactor's with Eheim 600 (For GFO and Carbon)
And basics such as heaters, heater controller, etc....

And as mentioned above, atleast 6 months to a year of stable parameters. Patience is key!

 

[chrystyan20011]

i guess i should be a little more informative here ive been in the reef keeping world for quite awhile now i have a 110gal mixed reef and was wanting to setup a small sps dominate tank.The HOB is going to be converted to a refugium. Of course i have a return pump and overflow ato and carbon/gfo reactors. just not on such a small system bc the bioload is gonna be very minimal maybe 1 fish if that. Mainly im looking to keep Montiporas and Millie's. I know its suppose to be hard to achieve in a small tank. I don't want to use a mp10 bc ive heard that in a small tank i can make the seals pop over time from the wave action and have seen it first hand. My 110gal mixed reef i have now just dont have the real estate left that i need for sps is mainly soft and lps dominate that and the wife flat out refuses to let me take it down etc lol

 

[sporto0]

That still doesn't address the issue of too small of a tank & too intense lighting, but good luck to you, I have been culturing, growing & fragging SPS for many years, my experience with them is fairly extensive, the thing about them that is most troubling is "here today, gone tomorrow" type of existence, I still suggest that water chemistry remain as stable as possible, I would kick down to a 150w 20k Radium or Giesmann 14-22k bulb, again just my experience.