SPS Reef Tanks

[Steve...]

Hi Everyone,

Im slowly getting into SPS because of the vibrant colours ! I have a 220 gal tank with some LPS right now. Tank is stable and is happy! Can anyone share with me what the key success is for maintaining a reef tank with SPS corals?

[Slyguy00]

Just have to be on top of maintenance and make sure your perimeters are stable. They arnt nearly as forgiving as lps.

[mrhasan]

1. Good husbandry
2. Stable parameters (Ca:380-440ppm; Alk: 7 to 10 depending on the type of tank; Mg: 1200 to 1350ppm)
3. Meet the lighting requirement
4. Strong flow
5. Not to worry too much
6. Good husbandry (again) :)

[Steve...]

1. Good husbandry
2. Stable parameters (Ca:380-440ppm; Alk: 7 to 10 depending on the type of tank; Mg: 1200 to 1350ppm)
3. Meet the lighting requirement
4. Strong flow
5. Not to worry too much
6. Good husbandry (again) :)

My parameters are good, strong flow and lighting is good. Only thing is how often do you guys do water change? I usually go bi-weekly but Im thinking of going to weekly. Any thoughts?

[Slyguy00]

I would think that depends on your setup. Because i dont have a sump i do 50% once a week. And everything seems very happy

[mrhasan]

My parameters are good, strong flow and lighting is good. Only thing is how often do you guys do water change? I usually go bi-weekly but Im thinking of going to weekly. Any thoughts?

Depends on your tank/bio-load. Generally 10% either weekly or biweekly depending upon your tank. Some reefers do more than more frequently or less frequently. You will have to adjust it to your tank.

[Steve...]

You guys feed your sps ?

[Aquattro]

Can anyone share with me what the key success is for maintaining a reef tank with SPS corals?

If someone has a definitive answer to this, you could probably sell it :)

[reefwars]

Prayer reactors bit high end but worth every penny ;)

[Steve...]

Prayer reactors bit high end but worth every penny ;)

Maybe Ill pick one up lol :)

[mrhasan]

Maybe Ill pick one up lol :)

+1. That is something that you 100% get what you pay for :) Works like charm :)

[kien]

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3731/9959405845_1d9a87129a_c.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3775/9959424565_ebc0f2194f_c.jpg

[asylumdown]

^ LOL!!!! What a perfect way to put an extra reactor to work. Can you toss in "Adam wins the lottery" for me?

The only other thing I'd reiterate is stability over a long period of time. SPS tanks really start to shine after about a year, and they are not fast to forgive you for messing something up.

[Reef Pilot]

As others have said, good husbandry, low nutrients, lighting, flow, etc. But one area in particular needs extra attention and effort, and that is phosphates.

Get a Hanna checker. I initially used the color ones, and thought I had my phosphates down to zero. Then I got the Hanna digital checker, and it showed they were much higher (to my surprise), and it took quite a bit of extra effort (with GFO) to get them down to zero on that device. And it was after that, when I really saw my SPS growth take off and the nice colors.

[ashr]

I agree with the above statement. SPS tanks really take off after about a year or two of running.

I run 6 t5 Ho bulbs
dose, ALK-9,Calc-440, Mg-1400.
I keep my Pho4 around .02 as well.. I find 0.0 starves the corals a bit.
water change every 2 weeks for me.

I have great growth!

[Steve...]

Where can I pick up a Hana Checker for the Phosphate?

[mrhasan]

Where can I pick up a Hana Checker for the Phosphate?

Concept has it.