SPS and flow...need help.

[Mik_101]

Will a phosphate reactor help at all?

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Mik_101

Well can I get most of the color out of them?

I found that when I first got into reefs using 2 x 175w over my 70g (18" deep) I could not get good color. Now, if everything else is perfect, they might be ok, but I've never seen a tank that was perfect (well, not many). The first thing you need to realize is that it can take 6 or more months just to build up stability in the tank so that SPS will grow, let alone color up properly.
When I switched to 2 x 400w, my colors got better, but it wasn't until I had a couple of years experience watching my acros turn brown before I could start getting nice colors. You need to make sure that nutrients are 0, pH, Ca and Alk are in range and stable. Flow is important for growth, not so much for color. If you put softies in the tank, it could impact the SPS growth and general happiness. The problem is there are so many things working against you, you really need to know your tank very well. This takes quite a while.

[Skimmerking]

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

[Mik_101]

Originally Posted by asmodeus

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

I totally agree. My tank is too small for calcium reactor and I don't want calciums levels over 440.

[Mik_101]

Ok I fed my corals and he got quite a bit of color. Thanks for the help though.

[EmilyB]

*edited*

[scsi]

Originally Posted by EmilyB

When is this crap going to stop on here ?

now now.....
Let's keep it civil
I so want this board to not be like alot of the other boards I have to monitor.......

[Mik_101]

Originally Posted by sphelps

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

FYI im getting it for 42.

[fkshiu]

Originally Posted by Mik_101

FYI im getting it for 42.

$42 for a 6055??? Sounds is a little to good to be true.

And following your tank journal thread it's clear that your tank is far too new and unstable for SPS.

And yes, you won't get the most out of SPS with 175s. They'll stay alive and grow, but they probably won't have eyepopping colours. It has nothing to with WPG.

You don't need a Ca reactor for a 46 gallon tank. You'll get by fine dosing 2-part.

[Mik_101]

Originally Posted by fkshiu

$42 for a 6055??? Sounds is a little to good to be true.

And following your tank journal thread it's clear that your tank is far too new and unstable for SPS.

And yes, you won't get the most out of SPS with 175s. They'll stay alive and grow, but they probably won't have eyepopping colours. It has nothing to with WPG.

You don't need a Ca reactor for a 46 gallon tank. You'll get by fine dosing 2-part.

Yes but 2x 250 watt MH is over lighting and I don't need to burn my corals. 1x 250 w mh wont work either because I have a stupid bar running down the middle of my tank and I would have a "eclipse" effect.