What does it take to keep SPS?

[sponger0]

Well im not aiming for acro tables or anything.

If you get into SPS, youll get into acros. Its inevitable

 

[ridetheducati]

I will add a change of mindset is required. More specifically, implementing procedures to maintain stable, high quality, and nutrient poor water is the primary goal. The health of corals you keep will be direct result of those procedures. In the SPS world, you manage water not animals.

 

[dantdodge]

The SpS prayer "Knowledge, Money, Patience, Stability Amen"

 

[Dolmo5000]

The SpS prayer "Knowledge, Money, Patience, Stability Amen"

Man, I'm not religious but super +1 to the sps prayer dantdodge!!!

 

[Reef_Noob]

Total submission to the demi gods of SPS keeping...a.k.a Chingchai, Steve (REEF_SMAC), Andrew (v1_rotate) and many more

Jokes apart...if ya wanna keep thriving SPS it's "stability"in every imaginable parameter (which includes water chemistry and all hardware)
Easier said than done. Keeping SPS is not easy...be prepared mentally and physically. But it's not impossible...many great reefers have proven it can be done.

May the force be with you...:strooper:

 

[Reef_Noob]

SPS.... Start Praying for Success

 

[marthin]

We would think it would be easier with the superb equipment we have nowadays, but it's been far easier years ago. Now the skimmers are so blinking efficient, lights are sun-rivaling and corals are so amazing, before you know it, your addicted... worse than any known drup imo
Success is sweet and the sps-guru's on here are truly an inspiration.
Amazing how some people seems to be naturally gifted in hitting the sweet spots from the word go

 

[rogerwilco357]

like it was said the stability of the big 3 cal,alk,mag also clean water zero phosphates or close to it and very low nitrates. lighting t5's work for me along with led's or the all time proven metal halides. Flow some nice mp40's or similar type wave making pumps.Skimmer that can help keep your water clean for above mentioned. hmm what am i leaving out oh time time and more time to stare at the sticks everyday commitment ..really alot when you think about it..

 

[led stony]

Patience

Patience

I tryied radion led light and all sps corals turned brown and bleached. Went back to old school metal halide and t5 and color came back on some that had not stn. A lot of patience.

 

[FranktheTankTx]

While undoubtedly 'patience' & 'stability' with a lil prayer sprinkled in certainly are key ingredients..... How 'bout we get more specific to really help inexperiences reefers?

How do y9u achieve stability?

How long before a new tank is sps ready?

What rate should you add corals?

Equipment necessary?

 

[AVDweeb]

I tryied radion led light and all sps corals turned brown and bleached. Went back to old school metal halide and t5 and color came back on some that had not stn. A lot of patience.

I hear a lot of mixed reviews on LED's, and I'm specifically concerned about the Radions. I'd like to put 2-3 over a brand new rimless 60" x 20" x 18" SPS tank...

I love the shimmer, integration with MP40s / Reef Angel, efficiency, and form factor - but I'm not willing to sacrifice all if that for coral health.

I've seen people, even Mark Callahan who promotes them, who love them! How do I decide?

 

[Finland]

1. To achieve stability, the water should be tested daily until you figure out the consumption rate of cacium, alkalinity,magnesium, then dose overtime the amount being consumed. Then tested weekly to adjust the dosing amounts. Consumption wil increase as corals grow. There are alot of calculators online to figure out how much to dose. Dosing pumps and a controller are a big plus, but not necessary, imo. I use a gravity drip and it works for me. Also you will have to make up for evaporation to maintain salinity.
2. As far as adding sps to a new tank, you will get different answers on this. Some say as soon as the water tests are good, you can add, others say you will have to wait a minimum of 6 months for the tank to mature. IMO I would wait at least a month after the cycle has finished.
3. IMO I would only add a few at a time. It is easier to adjust for dosing. Everytime you add corals, the consumtion rate of Alk and CA increase. COrals add very little to the bio-load of the tank, so technically, you could add as many as you want, but that makes it tough to figure for dosing.
4. Necessary equipment would include a high quality skimmer, good lighting(led, t5, or metal halide), some sort of dosing system, Test kits for alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, phosphate, and nitrates, Powerheads for circulation. Refractometer for testing salinity.

 

[FranktheTankTx]

Now, that's what I'm talking about.

 

[tripdad]

In my opinion it's what all the previous posters are showing, PASSION. They are all ready to answer questions for others and give away hard earned and highly paid for advice to help others with no request for reward. This hobby will test you again and again and only blind desire for success will get you thru, i.e. passion for the animals we keep.

 

[REEF SMAC]

An unhealthy obsessive compulsiveness channeled towards growing colorful sticks in a box full of water. :strange:

 

[tdb320reef]

Sps

Sps

Id say passion - The challenge of keeping them is the part to enjoyment. I am always researching ways to improve conditions. There is not easy button but just have the passion and you will be successful.