SPS .. supplement

[leesanhua]

im planning to set up an SPS tank. all i know is calcium, lighting and strong needed by the sps.
what else? can anyone give me more i idea?

 

[JmLee]

and excellent water conditions and stability. + high flow, preferably indirect.

 

[MCary]

Supplements: Calcium & alk, fish poop, light, and money. Water changes for trace elements. Magnesium as needed (test for it). That's all. I have two pretty fancy dosing pumps. Never used them.

Mike

 

[TheMcs]

I know it's just semantics, but you can't "set up an SPS tank". You can design a tank around SPS, and in 8-15 months it will become an SPS tank. One of the biggest success factors with SPS is the age of the tank. You can add SPS when the tank is a month old, but you won't have the greatest luck with it.
Good lighting (VHO, T5, or MH). Surging water flow (probably the most important yet under rated requirement). Heavy skimming. Careful eye on Ca, Alk, Mg, pH, & temp.

 

[MCary]

and in 8-15 months it will become an SPS tank. One of the biggest success factors with SPS is the age of the tank.

I have heard this alot and have not found it to be true. I have had enormous success with SPS. They are my favorite corals I have over 50 of them. I have setup 80, 150 and 240 gallon tanks, some multiple times as a couple of moves dictated, so I can say I have set up 5 reefs. With the 80 gallon, my starter tank, I did as I was told and waited a good long time before introducing any coral, even a mushroom. But after that, I have introduced corals as short as a month and average about 6 weeks. Once nitrogens all reach 0 and I'm past smothering algae blooms, in go the coral, Acros mostly.

Now i'm not saying the advice is wrong, but I don't take things on faith. I need a hard explanation. What is it about the age of the tank that makes it more condusive to SPS? What is in the water in an aged tank that isn't in a new one? A lot of people say stability. But an older tank should be no more stable than a properly maintained 3 month old tank.

Not trying to be contrary, just want to know where some of this stuff comes from. It is not what I personally experiance alot of the time.

Mike

 

[leesanhua]

heavy skimmer is because we going to dose too much supplement? i bought the ASM G2 for my 90gallon. i think this skimmer should be good enough?

 

[LBCBJ]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8006651#post8006651 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MCary
I have heard this alot and have not found it to be true. I have had enormous success with SPS. They are my favorite corals I have over 50 of them. I have setup 80, 150 and 240 gallon tanks, some multiple times as a couple of moves dictated, so I can say I have set up 5 reefs. With the 80 gallon, my starter tank, I did as I was told and waited a good long time before introducing any coral, even a mushroom. But after that, I have introduced corals as short as a month and average about 6 weeks. Once nitrogens all reach 0 and I'm past smothering algae blooms, in go the coral, Acros mostly.

Now i'm not saying the advice is wrong, but I don't take things on faith. I need a hard explanation. What is it about the age of the tank that makes it more condusive to SPS? What is in the water in an aged tank that isn't in a new one? A lot of people say stability. But an older tank should be no more stable than a properly maintained 3 month old tank.

Not trying to be contrary, just want to know where some of this stuff comes from. It is not what I personally experiance alot of the time.

Mike

Yes, if you are experienced and know how to deal with water chemistry issues etc. then you are right. The problem is the majority of folks here don't. I usually add over 10 SPS's to my new tanks within 3 months and so far I've never lost one.

I agree with the questions you pose, I've always wanted to hear some explanations also. The "you need to let your tank mature" phrase is thrown around way too much without any warrant or explanation. I think most people just parrot what they've heard from others. I've found that tank maturation takes a max of 1-2 months, most of which involves a phosphate and nitrate spike from live rock die off. Other than that, there's nothing else to "mature". Heck, if anything, tanks get less stable as they get older, with low pH problems, etc.

 

[Amphiprion]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8007838#post8007838 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LBCBJ
Yes, if you are experienced and know how to deal with water chemistry issues etc. then you are right. The problem is the majority of folks here don't. I usually add over 10 SPS's to my new tanks within 3 months and so far I've never lost one.

I agree with the questions you pose, I've always wanted to hear some explanations also. The "you need to let your tank mature" phrase is thrown around way too much without any warrant or explanation. I think most people just parrot what they've heard from others. I've found that tank maturation takes a max of 1-2 months, most of which involves a phosphate and nitrate spike from live rock die off. Other than that, there's nothing else to "mature". Heck, if anything, tanks get less stable as they get older, with low pH problems, etc.

I believe that to an extent. Most recommend this because it is the 'safest' option. It at least allows for the various nutrient cycles (over and above the nitrogen cycle, that is) and various associated organisms to build to capacity and ensure more stable water conditions. Experienced people can do differently quite easily, simply because they know, as LBCBJ said, how to control water quality. At the store I work at, I am able to add corals (and fish!!) the first day I set up a tank. Why? Because I have plenty of mixed synthetic seawater handy for water changes. Would I recommend this to anyone who is inexperienced--no.