SPS and flow...need help.

sphelps · #1 08-04-2007, 02:36 AM

SPS color is effected by so many things, mostly lighting, water quality, and flow. While increasing flow may be good thing more importantly is an alternating flow pattern which will promote proper growth and result in better color, but other than that I wouldn't expect any crazy results from increasing your flow. The most important factor in color that I have found is Stability of proper water parameters which include very low nutrients, constant Cal + Alk, constant temp and salinity and so on. A calcium reactor can be a huge advantage, it will keep the cal+alk constant and keeps the growth rate high, I find the higher the growth rate the better the color, especially the growth tips.

Skimmerking · #2 08-04-2007, 02:47 AM

what kills SPS is nitrates and phoshates, and little flow along with low alk and cal levels

Mik_101 · #3 08-04-2007, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphelps

SPS color is effected by so many things, mostly lighting, water quality, and flow. While increasing flow may be good thing more importantly is an alternating flow pattern which will promote proper growth and result in better color, but other than that I wouldn't expect any crazy results from increasing your flow. The most important factor in color that I have found is Stability of proper water parameters which include very low nutrients, constant Cal + Alk, constant temp and salinity and so on. A calcium reactor can be a huge advantage, it will keep the cal+alk constant and keeps the growth rate high, I find the higher the growth rate the better the color, especially the growth tips.

I don't think I'm ready to blow 200+ on cal reactor plus I'm only 14.

sphelps · #4 08-04-2007, 02:59 AM

But you can "blow" $200 on the nano stream?? Plus the other pump???

sphelps · #5 08-04-2007, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphelps

But you can "blow" $200 on the nano stream?? Plus the other pump???

Also your levels are out a bit

Ammonia is too high, should read zero, but likely this is just your test kit
Mg is too low, should be around 1200-1300
Alk is too high should be closer to about 8dkh dropping this will likely lower your pH
Cal is pretty good, but could be higher 440 is what I like

Aquattro · #6 08-04-2007, 03:11 AM

175w will limit the color, as will nutrients. Higher alk would be my goal, I ran about 11+. Ca at anything above 380 is fine. Flow won't affect color really to any noticeable degree if everything else isn't right. Make sure you do routine water changes, and don't over feed.

Mik_101 · #7 08-04-2007, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reef_raf

175w will limit the color, as will nutrients. Higher alk would be my goal, I ran about 11+. Ca at anything above 380 is fine. Flow won't affect color really to any noticeable degree if everything else isn't right. Make sure you do routine water changes, and don't over feed.

WOW WOW WOW your telling me 430w of light isent enough. If you missed it I have 2x 175 w MH and 2x 40 w actinics.

430w of light =9.3 watts per gallon.

marie · #8 08-04-2007, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mik_101

WOW WOW WOW your telling me 430w of light isent enough. If you missed it I have 2x 175 w MH and 2x 40 w actinics.

430w of light =9.3 watts per gallon.

If a coral is sitting 5" away from a 250w light in a 500g (0.5w/g) tank it won't be any happier under a 40w light in a 2g nano tank (20w/g)

Aquattro · #9 08-04-2007, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mik_101

WOW WOW WOW your telling me 430w of light isent enough. If you missed it I have 2x 175 w MH and 2x 40 w actinics.

430w of light =9.3 watts per gallon.

Well, the actinics don't count towards PAR, and 175w don't have the intensity to bring out the best colors. I didn't say it wasn't enough light, I said it wasn't enough to bring out the best color. And forget all about watts/gallon, it doesn't mean anything.

Skimmerking · #10 08-04-2007, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphelps

Also your levels are out a bit

Ammonia is too high, should read zero, but likely this is just your test kit
Mg is too low, should be around 1200-1300
Alk is too high should be closer to about 8dkh dropping this will likely lower your pH
Cal is pretty good, but could be higher 440 is what I like

I disagree his Alk is good for not having a Reactor , A reactor is kicking out around 10-11 DKH at a constant rate when dialed in along with that the Calcium running at 400