Trouble Keeping SPS

[[17]shawn[17]]

hey folks

Im really struggling to keep SPS alive, all my frags seem to bleach over a week or RTN/STN while my LPS is doing great, I have not yet tested phos but I have no algae issues so im not convinced that is the issue. in my previous tank I had no issues with SPS and I put on ZERO effort.. what on earth am I doing wrong!!

3 month old setup
tank specs 20L display & 10 gal sump
MP10 for flow, lighting 165w LED @ 40%W 60%B
running BB & Carbon, BM Curve 6 skimmer
Livestock 2 black & white clowns, peppermint shrimp, snails
Various Acan & Chalice
Ca 430
Mg 1350
Alk 8

 

[Scorpius]

My tank just started accepting sps. My setup is seven months old. I also got my parameters pretty rock solid. From my experience newly setup tanks are hard on any corals especially sensitive SPS.

 

[Relativity]

Yeah like he said its because of the three month thing. For some reason and nobody really knows you have to wait longer

 

[Aquattro]

I added SPS to a brand new system, dry rock and a seeded foam filter, no issues at all. I don't agree that it's a "new tank" issue.

Issues to bleach could be something with lighting, very high PO4, something in the water that can't be tested for. I'd suggest lack of filtration, but you have fish and non SPS, so not likely that. You don't mention temp, is it high/low, large swings?

 

[reefwiser]

If you haven't yet used a Par meter to adjust your lighting I would suggest getting one and check if you do not have your lighting to high intensity for where you are placing the SPS.

 

[C.Eymann]

what about temperature and salinity stability? are you using a ATO?
also +1 on using a PAR meter

 

[dlondono]

Before adding coral make a list of all of the parameters that need to be in place and the appropriate levels for each including light fixtures and bleaching.

Once you have the list work on achieving each of the core parameters without sps corals in the tank.

To avoid disappointment and aggravation accept that the process for maturing and stabilizing a reef tank can be 6 to 12 months for a brand new tank.

After tank is stable start with hardy corals, birdsnest, Poci, Stylos, etc

If you can find the focus and self control and apply the above it will save you a ton of money in the long run, patience is not a trait that we easily acquire.

 

[[17]shawn[17]]

I added SPS to a brand new system, dry rock and a seeded foam filter, no issues at all. I don't agree that it's a "new tank" issue.

Issues to bleach could be something with lighting, very high PO4, something in the water that can't be tested for. I'd suggest lack of filtration, but you have fish and non SPS, so not likely that. You don't mention temp, is it high/low, large swings?

It could be lighting but the guy I buy most of my frags from has similar lighting

I keep my temp at 79.8 with a RKL so it is pretty stable, the only time it drops is when I shut my pumps off to feed my LPS, it never gets lower than 79

 

[[17]shawn[17]]

what about temperature and salinity stability? are you using a ATO?
also +1 on using a PAR meter

I am using an ATO also running from my RKL, I like to keep my salinity at 1.025 which gives me a little room for error either way

I shoul also add that I am using Korallen-Zucht Amino Acid Automatic Elements Amino Acids - 1tab in the sump

As for lighting all these pieces start off on the sand with my LPS before I move them to the rocks- some (most) pieces are already in distress when on the sand

 

[Pet Detective]

I added SPS to a brand new system, dry rock and a seeded foam filter, no issues at all. I don't agree that it's a "new tank" issue.

Issues to bleach could be something with lighting, very high PO4, something in the water that can't be tested for. I'd suggest lack of filtration, but you have fish and non SPS, so not likely that. You don't mention temp, is it high/low, large swings?

This is the exception, not the rule, almost all of us who love SPS have had the new tank problems with maintaining SPS, especially Acros, maybe some easier Digita can make it, perhaps Pocillopora, but rarely does one have great success with a brand new reef tank & SPS. I usually wait for almost a year with my new set ups before I add the tougher SPS. I know that is not very helpful in a detailed kind of way, but time & stable conditions do go hand in hand.

 

[[17]shawn[17]]

This is the exception, not the rule, almost all of us who love SPS have had the new tank problems with maintaining SPS, especially Acros, maybe some easier Digita can make it, perhaps Pocillopora, but rarely does one have great success with a brand new reef tank & SPS. I usually wait for almost a year with my new set ups before I add the tougher SPS. I know that is not very helpful in a detailed kind of way, but time & stable conditions do go hand in hand.

This makes sense... It's just frustrating now knowing exactly what it is that is stopping me from keeping them, I may try and get some more LR from a fellow hobbyist to seed the tank further

 

[Pet Detective]

This makes sense... It's just frustrating now knowing exactly what it is that is stopping me from keeping them, I may try and get some more LR from a fellow hobbyist to seed the tank further

While I don't think getting more cured live rock will hurt anything, it certainly will not make it easier to keep SPS, my point about time & stability was to say that a new tank goes through all sorts of stages early in it's maturity, diatoms, cyano, algae, fluctuations in water chemistry etc. Keeping a rigid maintenance schedule is also key. Establishing a few fish & a few non invasive corals, LPS are usually a bit easier, USUALLY, nothing worth while is really easy in this hobby (labor of love) & allowing an eco-system to form & thrive is key, then intoducing a few SPS to see how they do, is what has worked for me, if they thrive, I step up to the next level, try a harder coral etc. etc. it's like a process, step by step, not a race to fill the tank immediately.

1. I Use Radium MH lights, so I can't comment on the LED's or the exact one you have, obviously they work but I haven't used them so i can't say if that is contributing to your problem. Good lighting is crucial.

2. Water chemistry is crucial: Kh, Ca, Mg, Potassium Iodide, Strontium, Iron & manganese... I dose all of these in my SPS dominant reef, but I didn't start out dosing these, only after establishing an actual reef...corals growing into, onto & on top of one another, then through water testing you can determine what has been depleted, after a while, you know what to dose & how much & you test less because visually you can tell the corals are happy.
I use Reef Crystals Salt.

3. SPS tend to like a cleaner water, less phosphates, less nitrates, not always, but as a rule of thumb, most prefer this, I have found. So this another concern, I run GFO in a canister & keep a small bio-load (few fish) & less feedings...& again these can be & should be tested for if you want a thriving SPS tank.

This is just scratching the surface really, trial & error & experience is always what allows you to persevere in this hobby.

I hope this helps a bit & good luck!

 

[cferrell7100]

While I don't think getting more cured live rock will hurt anything, it certainly will not make it easier to keep SPS, my point about time & stability was to say that a new tank goes through all sorts of stages early in it's maturity, diatoms, cyano, algae, fluctuations in water chemistry etc. Keeping a rigid maintenance schedule is also key. Establishing a few fish & a few non invasive corals, LPS are usually a bit easier, USUALLY, nothing worth while is really easy in this hobby (labor of love) & allowing an eco-system to form & thrive is key, then intoducing a few SPS to see how they do, is what has worked for me, if they thrive, I step up to the next level, try a harder coral etc. etc. it's like a process, step by step, not a race to fill the tank immediately.

1. I Use Radium MH lights, so I can't comment on the LED's or the exact one you have, obviously they work but I haven't used them so i can't say if that is contributing to your problem. Good lighting is crucial.

2. Water chemistry is crucial: Kh, Ca, Mg, Potassium Iodide, Strontium, Iron & manganese... I dose all of these in my SPS dominant reef, but I didn't start out dosing these, only after establishing an actual reef...corals growing into, onto & on top of one another, then through water testing you can determine what has been depleted, after a while, you know what to dose & how much & you test less because visually you can tell the corals are happy.
I use Reef Crystals Salt.

3. SPS tend to like a cleaner water, less phosphates, less nitrates, not always, but as a rule of thumb, most prefer this, I have found. So this another concern, I run GFO in a canister & keep a small bio-load (few fish) & less feedings...& again these can be & should be tested for if you want a thriving SPS tank.

This is just scratching the surface really, trial & error & experience is always what allows you to persevere in this hobby.

I hope this helps a bit & good luck!

I agree with this, I had the same problem keeping sps also. I lost a lot of money but it took stepping back and being patient and getting my tank in check. Mine has been up for a year and just now getting ready to try putting acropora in my tank. I have some montipora(caps,digi) and now their growing like crazy. I have learned the hard way to be patient and pay close attention to water stability. Good luck

 

[[17]shawn[17]]

I tested my Phos today with a new nyos test kit.. Undetectable, also while at the store I started talking with the owner who said he only has his whites running at 15% on his AI's soo it looks like I may be stressing my coral with too much light

 

[fearyaks]

I keep my AI whites at about that % too and bump up my blues to 50-60ish.

 

[Scorpius]

I run my Kessils no more than 40% on the spectrum side. For anyone that doesn't know 0% is the bluest and 100% is the whitest to our eyes.

 

[[17]shawn[17]]

I'm not totally sold on the idea that my only issue is lighting... I have turned down my lights to about 15% 40% today I did see some polyp extension from what remains of my Cali tort

 

[Icefire]

I Was running 2x hydra52 on a 24" cube at 100% everything, 65% white.

Your problem is not light related, I have Acro at 14" under the pucks

 

[jsnrho82]

I agree that the problem is just one of being overzealous in adding corals too early. Give it three more months and I bet you have no issue keeping more touchy SPS pieces.

 

[[17]shawn[17]]

thanks guys I am going to chill out on the SPS for a while and focus on finding some awesome LPS in the mean time I have a LFS holding some SPS frags for me right now... may have to work something out with him. I have decreased my lighting and increased flow to about 35% on my MP10- reefcrest.

IceFire- thanks for the advice & glad to see your still on the forum! I made your Avatar many years ago when you posted about the algae bloom lol if you are ever down towards Kingston be sure to visit Don at Crazy4Coral his prices are awesome!