why can't I keep acros???

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9258311#post9258311 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hendersonracing
ok Ill try some captive grown frags..
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In many cases you'll find that captive grown frags seem nearly indestructabe (given good tank husbandry) .. and once extablished they can grow like weeds.

Try it .. you'll like it !!

You'll enjoy the hobby a lot more, too.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9257332#post9257332 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hendersonracing
Thank you so much Ill work on getting my alk down....but seems like the calcium drops when its that low so I may need to add a little(calcium reactor)
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If your calcium drops too low when lowering Alk then use ONLY a calcium chloride supplement to raise just calcium. Do not use limewater or a calcium carbonate/carbon dioxide reactor. Also do not use 2 part mixtures unless only adding the calcium part. Lower your water changes, and a calcium reactor would be a good investment on a tank that size.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9257332#post9257332 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hendersonracing My tank has been set up since July 2006 and its a fairly new tank...
...I have done the 10 for 199 through foster and smith about 5 months ago
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If my calculations are correct, you added 10 corals, when your tank was roughly 3 months old. That is way too young to add SPS. Much less 10 corals of any kind a new tank.
I believe your setup is just fine. It is just too sterile at this time. And i think your large water changes maybe prolonging this.
To test the theory of a Alk/Cal problem, I have to ask, do you have any mushrooms in the tank? Just currious, how are they doing?
 
I have some green and some purple...

Picture808.jpg


Picture815.jpg
 
Hendersonracing, the shrooms looks great, but one caution, if they take over, you wont be able to keep SPS alive for very long, I got rid of 99% of my mushrooms. When it comes to Chemical warfare in a reef tank the shrooms will win out every time.

as for adjusting your calcium, do what lvreefer sugested, he is correct. Goto the chemistry forum and learn from Randy home he is awsome.

I've found that its easier to bring up alk because you can add something like baking soda to bring it up, but if your alk is high and to lower it, all you can do is wait for your corals to use it up.

As for buying frags, the member sales are good, places like reefermadnes is great also. Start with some thing easy like montipora, and fast growing green slimer and things like that and once you are able to make those corals thrive then your tank is ready for new stuff.
 
What are you measuring your basic parameter with? Tank temp reading with a digital thermometer could be off- I use a regular standard glass thermometer. Also, for salinity I use a refractormeter vs. the plastic cheapos. I have found the hard way that my ph monitor was out of calibration and had some colonies bleached on me. Sometimes it could be the simple things that are missed IMO.
 
I used monitors for ph & salinity and a standard glass thermometor for tank temp. I probably could re calibrate my ph monitor I havent done that in 6 months
 
hey joe after reading this whole thread i am starting to agree that maybee the tank was too young and the light you have might be a lil low to put it in perspective i have a 50g tank with 2x250w 20k de and you have 4 times the water and only twice as much light these wild colonys i have are doing well but struggling they really need lots of light in contrast all the smaller frags i have bought from local reefers have flourished and are laying down skeleton very fast
would it be possible to add more light

dont get me wrong the lights you have might be plenty and it could just be the age of the tank
 
I think Ill give some frags another try I started frags early but way to early and only a few made it...then I jumped straight to colonies.....so mabe Ill go back to frags soon?
 
I know this is the last thing any aquarist wants to hear.
Give it time.
7 months is fairly new. Stick with less demanding corals for a few more months say another 12 at least. By then your tank will be much more established and stable and I'm sure you will have better luck.
 
I'm sorry to confuse, but I must put in my 2 cents. Your tank is plenty-established for sps. My 90 had at least 10-15 different types within the first 3-4 months. My tank now is 13 months old and well- stocked. Your lighting is also not an issue (depending on where you locate some of the more light-loving corals). I wish I had some answers for you, but your parameters look just great. Work on chaotic flow throughout the tank, feed cyclopeeze, dt's, etc. a couple nights/week, and be diligent about testing. When I first hooked up my calcium reactor, I had issues with the CO2 lowering my pH significantly (not good). Captive raised colonies=good idea. 20$ frags intsead of 125$ colonies=good idea. Stick w/ it. Here's a gratuitous pic of my tank @ 3 months old:
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o164/ramone_photos_2006/TankPicsFeb-17.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>
 
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