Starting SPS looking for advice!

[kissman]

first sps's are in tank, got a 3 frags from a orange monti cap each about an inch, 2 orange green tip bird nests about 2"-2.5" each, 1 hot pink birds nest about 1"-1.5", and then got a pretty big geen birds nest about 3"-4" all for a $100 for a guy local, and the great thing is I got to look at his set up and he has the same light fixture I have which was nice

 

[kissman]

short video of new SPS


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wXqaU-jq-Rw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[MHG]

My parameters are similar to yours and I can't grow months. Everyone said my water is too clean... With your low nutrients I would drop that alk to between 7 and 8 or those frags will melt away. At least that's what they all tell me cause my STN...

 

[juggy]

I have to warn you that SPS are highly addictive. I'm afraid that this warning is already to late for you.

lmao i have to agree i work at my buddys fish store and vivid corals is right down the street im there every day off

anyway get some Stylophora purple,green,pink there growing crazy in my tank also montie's try a spoungegota start with a few of those

 

[kissman]

My parameters are similar to yours and I can't grow months. Everyone said my water is too clean... With your low nutrients I would drop that alk to between 7 and 8 or those frags will melt away. At least that's what they all tell me cause my STN...

I am watching for signs of low nutrients, however i am feeding them reef chili and i have Red Sea Coral Reef Energy A&B to add as well

 

[orcus]

If you're serious about SPS, take out the leather.

Seconded.

 

[Patroklos]

Its .02. Its the most accurate test you can get.

according to the Hanna website it "features a resolution of 1 ppb and ±5 ppb ±5% of reading accuracy."

http://www.hannainst.com/usa/prods2.cfm?id=030011&ProdCode=HI 736

That's for the ultra low range checker. Which leads me to my question, what version of the hanna PO4 checker should I use; Ultra Low Range, Low Range, or High Range?

 

[kissman]

If i understand correctly 5% ppb is a lot less fluctuation than 5% ppm making the 736 more accurate.

 

[dccdennis]

Just curious, but nobody has mentioned much on lighting. I know chemistry is very important, but if you wish to be very successful with certain corals intensity and spectrum is equally important. If I am reading this correctly your spectrum is low on the Kelvin scale. The 6700k is more of a plant style spectrum. I personally have a 20,000k halide on my tank. I have acro, monti, softies, hard, nems and fish. The growth is awesome(to me) with the halides. Just remember this is a hobby, we all have sucess and failure, its best to try and learn from your mistakes and those of other hobbyists.

 

[kissman]

6500k thats over my refugium

over the DT
1 ATI True Actinic 421nm,
2 ATI AquaBlue Special 15,000k
1 ATI Coral Plus 15,000k,
2 ATI Blue Plus rated at 20,000k

http://www.atinorthamerica.com/bulbs.php

 

[dccdennis]

Sorry man, I thought you pic looked blue!

 

[kissman]

no problem, the pic/video looks blue partly because of white balance on camera, the higher the kelvin rating the more blue and some reflection from back of tank