What is more important for SPS....

[kirsto71]

What is more important for SPS?

I have read so many different threads and heard all sorts of claims and statements. I would be keen to see if people could put their two cents in on this subject. I propose the following list an ask if people could rate them and maybe provide comment for all or any of the items. Oh and please feel free to add something.

Lighting
Water Flow/Motion
Low nutrient (nitrate, phosphate etc)
Calcium, Magnesium
Other elements - potassium, strontium, iodide etc
Alkalinity
Amino Acids, Trace Elements, other additives
Feeding

I am really keen to get s discussion going on this.

Also if you can add any thread references to this that would also be a great addition to the discussion.

 

[SWINGRRRR]

Stability.

 

[kirsto71]

Stability.

Point taken. This is one i missed.

 

[Znut Reefer]

+ Stability

 

[kirsto71]

I guess i was looking past stability. Yes i know that this is key but stability is more a measure of our delivery of the mentioned items.

What should be focused on more than other items. For example should i focus on providing the best water motion over worrying too much if i use 20k Radiums vs 10k XM globes (assuming i change them regularly). Or should i concentrate on maintaining the lowest possible levels of nutrients in my tank. I hope people understand what i am after and i appreciate any input.

Maybe i am just another confused reefer.

 

[flamron]

IMO - most everything on your list is important. Stability is the key to success. SPS=Stability Promotes Success.

Think of your list like several puzzle pieces. All must be present to be complete.

I will rank them for you though:
1 Lighting
1 Water Flow/Motion
1 Low nutrient (nitrate, phosphate etc) - via water changes and skimming
1 Calcium, Magnesium - dosing or reactor
1 Other elements - potassium, strontium, iodide etc - via water changes and skimming
1 Alkalinity - dosing or reactor
0 Amino Acids, Trace Elements, other additives - I don't dose anything but Ca, Alk, Mg. Anything that is used up that is needed, is replaced by frequent water changes. I change 1.5G per day.
1 Feeding - Fish poop works well, so I use that

 

[M007]

Tagging along thanks

 

[SWINGRRRR]

I guess i was looking past stability. Yes i know that this is key but stability is more a measure of our delivery of the mentioned items.
What should be focused on more than other items. For example should i focus on providing the best water motion over worrying too much if i use 20k Radiums vs 10k XM globes (assuming i change them regularly). Or should i concentrate on maintaining the lowest possible levels of nutrients in my tank. I hope people understand what i am after and i appreciate any input.
Maybe i am just another confused reefer.

Like flamron said, its not any 1 certain thing. Everything works together. You cannot concentrate on 1 thing and neglect another. I cant run my truck without gas AND oil. If I fill the oil tank up with gas, it wont work that way.

 

[Mattik]

My rank them:
1 Calcium, Magnesium; Alkalinity - dosing or reactor - the 3 are equally important
2 Low nutrient (nitrate, phosphate etc) - could be listed in #1 above - critically important IMO - too high will kill, moderate = no growth
3 Water Flow/Motion - assists with water quality, nutrient distribution
4 Lighting - Marked lower because we have many choices that will serve us well these. Also, lighting is pretty much "set it and forget it", whereas 1 & 2 require much more effort to get right. Lighting isn't generally the average reefer's "limiter" to success anymore.
5 Feeding - Fish poop works good enough - I use no "coral feeds" as they tend to muck up the water too much.
6 - Other elements - potassium, strontium, iodide I don't dose anything but Ca, Alk, Mg.
7 - Amino Acids, Trace Elements, other additives - I don't dose anything but Ca, Alk, Mg.

If you get 1 and 2 down, you will do alright. 3 will help improve growth/strength of SPS branches, and 4 will serve as an "accelerator"....more light = faster growth (generally speaking). I would say you could forget about 5 - 7 completely and it won't really make much difference.

And, don't forget about the water changes. Seriously, weekly makes a big difference IMO in achieving good coral growth...this is what really takes care of 6 & 7 in the list above, and also contributes to 1 & 2 above as well.

 

[kirsto71]

My rank them:
1 Calcium, Magnesium; Alkalinity - dosing or reactor - the 3 are equally important
2 Low nutrient (nitrate, phosphate etc) - could be listed in #1 above - critically important IMO - too high will kill, moderate = no growth
3 Water Flow/Motion - assists with water quality, nutrient distribution
4 Lighting - Marked lower because we have many choices that will serve us well these. Also, lighting is pretty much "set it and forget it", whereas 1 & 2 require much more effort to get right. Lighting isn't generally the average reefer's "limiter" to success anymore.
5 Feeding - Fish poop works good enough - I use no "coral feeds" as they tend to muck up the water too much.
6 - Other elements - potassium, strontium, iodide I don't dose anything but Ca, Alk, Mg.
7 - Amino Acids, Trace Elements, other additives - I don't dose anything but Ca, Alk, Mg.

If you get 1 and 2 down, you will do alright. 3 will help improve growth/strength of SPS branches, and 4 will serve as an "accelerator"....more light = faster growth (generally speaking). I would say you could forget about 5 - 7 completely and it won't really make much difference.

And, don't forget about the water changes. Seriously, weekly makes a big difference IMO in achieving good coral growth...this is what really takes care of 6 & 7 in the list above, and also contributes to 1 & 2 above as well.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I guess i am currently in the situation that i am getting caught up with deciding which MH bulb to use. There are so many choices and i am just wondering that if i get a reasonable bulb that would be enough as long as i have other parameters and physical conditions right.

Go figure this hobby can become so confusing.

Also my current setup has an automated water change system that changes around 2% per day.

 

[JMalone81]

+ stability

+1

 

[maestro]

Whats most important for me is alkalinity stability, you get a bit more leway with calcium.

 

[dan223]

What is more important for SPS?

I have read so many different threads and heard all sorts of claims and statements. I would be keen to see if people could put their two cents in on this subject. I propose the following list an ask if people could rate them and maybe provide comment for all or any of the items. Oh and please feel free to add something.

Lighting
Water Flow/Motion
Low nutrient (nitrate, phosphate etc)
Calcium, Magnesium
Other elements - potassium, strontium, iodide etc
Alkalinity
Amino Acids, Trace Elements, other additives
Feeding

IMO you could do with or without "other elements" and AA, trace, other additives" with proper wc's and feeding, unless your striping potassium out (one of the great marketing plus of zeo).
light, water, low polution or as you called nutrient, cal, mag, alk, feeding...... I dont think you can call any of these parameters more important, sps need all of these things to do well not just 2 or 3.

 

[Mattik]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I guess i am currently in the situation that i am getting caught up with deciding which MH bulb to use. There are so many choices and i am just wondering that if i get a reasonable bulb that would be enough as long as i have other parameters and physical conditions right.

Go figure this hobby can become so confusing.

Also my current setup has an automated water change system that changes around 2% per day.

I would highly recommend the phoenix 14K. The color is awesome and the growth for my corals has been excellent.

I think many others will chime in and agree as these are VERY popular bulbs.

 

[adambirk]

i too would have to agree with stability. when i first started out with sps i was all woried about having the best equipment and thinking that would make it easier to keep sps. the most important thing i think is stability in your alk, calcium and mag.

alk swings have got to be about the worst thing i can think of for sps.

once you have your system stable then that is the time to start tweeking for colors and trying to get to ultra low nutrients imo.

also i think i would have to rate proper flow as a close second. corals need proper flow for food and to get rid of waste.

for lighting i would use what you like for color temp.

 

[elijaher]

Stability on all that you have listed.

 

[Dustin1300]

I would highly recommend the phoenix 14K. The color is awesome and the growth for my corals has been excellent.

I think many others will chime in and agree as these are VERY popular bulbs.

+ 1 on the Phoenix 14ks!

+ 1 on the stability

 

[losthere]

Stability and weekly water changes.