SPS Shallow Reef Tank Build Thread

[melev]

Yeah, buy an alkalinity test kit first.

 

[ClownReef®]

LOL Marc..its on my to do list for tomorrow morning..

Any opinions/suggestions/comments?

 

[143gadgets]

I use LaMotte for alk. I switched from Salifert.

 

[cpreefguy]

Still waiting for updated pics! :beer:

 

[143gadgets]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12682250#post12682250 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cpreefguy
Still waiting for updated pics! :beer:

Me too!

 

[ClownReef®]

Ill take some pics sunday..Im gonna be gone for the whole weekend..

Im on my way to the LFS.. need to pick up some filter socks and an Alk test kit..

 

[GSMguy]

canister filter and filter sock, watch your nitrates.

 

[ClownReef®]

I just bought a Salifert Alk test kit. It tested kinda high.. at 15.7 dkh..

I did a water change last friday, so im hoping it will come down on its own. I haven't been dosing anything... Might be the fact there is NOTHING as far as coral goes or something that needs a lot of calcium. Only my clam. All 4 of my shrimp are molting well.. Any suggestions?

GSM,

Canister filter:
Carbon is changed regulary. No filter pads. Just carbon and Phosban.

Filter socks:
Changed to a clean one every 2-3 days.

 

[rutz81]

I had a similar issue. My alk was up to 13 and my Calcium was at around 480. I'm trying to bring both down, slowly, since I already stocked my tank with SPS.

 

[ClownReef®]

RUTZ,

How are you doing it?.. Im hoping that as i stock, both will start to come down. Im using Instant Ocean Salt. Not dosing anything. A reefing mystery..LOL..

 

[melev]

The only thing that will bring it down is corals sucking it up. In your tank, that could take a long time.

You might have your LFS verify that number, just in case.

Don't dose any B-Ionic for now.

 

[ClownReef®]

Thanks Marc..

Ill just leave it alone.. Everything else seems fine. Every other parameter is as close as ideal as possible. We'll see how these first frags do.

 

[rutz81]

Water changes and corals using it. The few I have are growing and therefore consuming it. My tank is using more calcium than alkalinity, so, I am keeping my Calcium at 440ish and letting my Alk come down by itself. It's down to 9.5 now, would like to see it around 7-8. Not to sidetrack your thread, but, can anyone explain how Calcium drops whereas my Alk drops, but at a much slower rate.....

 

[ladi8t3r]

Clownreef- How are you liking the flow from the Snapper? My tank that I haven't set up yet is 36x28x18 and was planning on using it combined with a OM 4way as my only means of circulation. You think it will be enough?

Man I'm sitting here in Africa right now drooling over all these shallow tanks but can't set mine up it's been sitting for almost a year now. haha....Thanks for any feedback. Oh and by the way that is one sweet setup you have.

mike

 

[ClownReef®]

I really like it. I like the fact i can cut it back to my flows needs. The valve is usually open about half way. I'd say go for it! Its a very powerful pump. I think it should be just fine on your tank.

 

[ClownReef®]

UPDATE:

Well, the first SPS are in along with some zoas and Duncans!

Here is the list of frags. I will post pictures tomorrow.

-Tubs Mystic Blue
-Idaho Grape
-SUPER pink stylo
-That rare pink-green-yellow birdsnest
-Soli
-Green Slimer
-Warped Speed Monti
-Palettaformis
-Bonzai
-Oregon tort
-Yellow milli
-DG table
-Superman monti
-Paletta's leveli
-Insignius
-VERY pink birdsnest

 

[ClownReef®]

Frag of pink/green/yellow birdsnest

Pink Stylo

Sand was covering those white blotches, but tissue should cover it again soon.

Ill post a full tank pic tomorrow. The tank i think looks insane!

 

[143gadgets]

Looking good! Can't wait to see more pics!

 

[InsaneClownFish]

Looks great...that pink stylo is nuts

So does the tank look insane like me?

 

[tigerarmy40]

ghow about a fts? I have almost forgotten what the tank looks like!!! lol