Stable water parameter is a must for Sps corals?

[transformer999]

its a generation rule of thumb?

Any evidence to back it up?

Not true at all..

I always went to parts of the world to snorkel..test water parameter

sometimes a few times at the same location

Conclusion: water parameter is different from time to time..

In the wild..water parameter change all the time from KH, Cal level etc

Example of how much of Corals sand deposit dissolve differently

from time to time..

How can one determine the actual parameters of the sea just by testing

once?

 

[jroovers]

I think comparing open water reef sea tests to captive, small aquarium systems is like comparing apples to oranges. I don't think you will find anyone on here that keeps SPS successfully that doesn't think stability in water parameters is a good idea. There might be some disagreement on those specific values (Ca, Alk for example), but I think most are of the opinion that keeping them stable increases your chances of success... and I think that is what it is all about. I'm not trying to mariculture corals in Bali, I'm trying to grow them in a small 120 gallon box of glass with artificial seawater and lighting.

 

[Frick]

I would say yes. Gradual change is okay, but daily shifts in pH, and alk can lead to stress STN, bad color, bleaching, or RTN.

In my experience smaller bodies of water are more difficult to stabilize. The ocean might shift, but it is slow enough that corals will still thrive.

 

[sirreal63]

In my experience the big three are what needs to be as stable as possible, calcium, alk and mag. Don't worry too much about swings in salinity or ph or temp. Most people run their temps at winter temps on the reefs, but it isn't necessary.

 

[dunk373]

my parameters are steady now but used to fluctuate some I know i had my alk go from 8-10 and killed a coral and the frag of that coral but only that coral.

 

[rogerwilco357]

well my alk went from 10 to 8.5 and it went bonkers got some tissue loss on the acros real fast ..

 

[arthur08]

Im fairly new to sps but been keeping them for around 2-3 months now recently I been buying a lot from a guy that is dedicated to sps only so all frags are really used to captivity water. With that being said all the coral that I got from him are thriving n are great. On the other hand I do buy maricultured pieces from elsewhere n seem not to do as great in my tank it maybe because they r used to to perfect water n abviously my water is not perfect even though I try, but guess not hard enough. I don't test my water very often maybe once every other month or when something is not looking good so my water could be fluctuate somewhat, but like I said corals grow pretty nice in growth m color good luck to u

 

[skuller]

Here is the simple evidence:


I have 1 acropora and one seriatopora hystrix.
I was moving from a kH of 6 to 10, but my move was only to change from 6 to 8, that was enought for the seriatopora to start with an STN, and I also noticed some STN on the acropora.

Then everything was stable again for a few weeks, and then again, I noticed my kH moved from 8 to 6 because of not adding carbonates...and moved to 6 again, and the STN on both SPS started again.


There is plain and simple evidence worlwide that if you move or change parameters in a short period of time your SPS will STN, RTN or will completely die.


Stable parameters is a MUST for SPS, sorry for the...not so news, but it is like that.


But is not only that, you will need also:
-Very good water move
-No PO4 nor NO3 at all (or very low values of them).
-Very good light
-High CA, Mg and kH
-Food for the SPS

 

[Donkeykong]

Will SPS instantly die if there is some movement in water parameters, NO. But if you want to have the steady growth and the amazing coloration that you see in the "tank of the month" you are going to have to aim for stability. Saying that the wild reefs have fluctuation is true but as someone else mentioned natural reefs and our tanks is apples to oranges.

 

[Digitalelectric]

If you dont believe stability is important then by all means play around with your parameters. Youll quickly have dead corals. It does intrigue me a bit though because in nature there are parts of reefs that receive upcurrents from deep water as well as currents from land. Perhaps those coral are more forgiving. Who knows. But the evidence points to keeping your parameters stable.