SPS beginner questions?

[RIreefer]

Thinking about trying a few SPS in DT, but have a few questions I was hoping fellow members here could provide:

How mature should DT be before adding any SPS?
When its ready, what would be some good "beginner" SPS to go with?
Ones to avoid?
6x54 w T5's enough?
How to adjust flow strength for SPS vs. softies....placement?

 

[SteveDola]

some people say that you should allow your tank to cycle and then stablize (few mths) before adding SPS however if your tank has cycled and levels are holding constant I would try something like a montipora digitata (easy) to see how it fairs. Give that a few weeks and if that makes it and starts growing youre good to go. The worst feeling is when you throw good money down the drain because you spent money on corals that you werent ready to keep.

Usually montis are easy to keep and usually cheap plus grow fast. They come in orange green purple. I might suggest attaching it to a small rock then placing that on your rockwork just because when it grows it can be tough to get rid of if you start running out of room.

The T5s you have should be plenty of light. Place the frag in mid way up in the tank but once they become acclimated you should be able to move them anywhere in the tank.

The flow for SPS isnt a direct high flow but more of an erratic moderate flow. Softies like a low gentle flow however most sps want indirect water movement.What power heads and return pump are you running now in your 90g? usually pointing 2 powerheads offset across from eachother on an angle will get a good mix of flow for sps.

 

[RIreefer]

I've got 2 Koralia 3's, and in process of getting a Koralia 2, the return pump does about 700-800 gph as well. I have each of the Koralia on opposite sides, one towards front - one towards back so that the flow is almost circular, with the goal being to eliminate dead spots and directing flow to overflow box. (tank is not RR)

 

[afboundguy]

How big is the tank? I'd echo Steve's thoughts about stability of a tank and caps and digi's. Orange cap can grow even under PC's.

I have SPS and clams in my 55 with a 4x54W T5 setup and I'm getting great growth...

 

[RIreefer]

I've got a 90 gal DT with approx. 20 gal sump/fuge

 

[afboundguy]

Yeah I would have guessed 75 or 90 but that lighting should be plenty. What kind of fixture or retro kit is it? Does it have indiv reflectors?

 

[RIreefer]

Its a Current Nova Pro Extreme 48" 6x54 wT5HO w/ 3-10k & 3-460nm actinics w/ indiv. reflectors

 

[SteveDola]

that should be enough water movement for now. prolly need a little more in the future but much of its about PH positioning and rockscape. How much rock is in the tank? a lot of the time too much or ill placed rock can impede flow and give you dead spots. Im a fan of keeping the rock off the back of the tank and have a PH moving water behind the rock...helps keep detrius suspended in the water to get filtered out.

 

[RIreefer]

All totalled, we've probably got about 130 - 140 lbs of LR and we scaped it so there is room between the rock and bank of tank. I think by adding another Koralia 1 or 2, it should completely avoid any dead spots. Once I get the newest LR and corals we've recently added, stablized, then I'll keep my eyes out for what you had suggested. I need something to add a little bit of height to the aquascape....

 

[stingythingy45]

I'm glad you asked this question,RIreefer.
I just upgraded my lights to halide and in the process of acclimating the corals to the new light.Wasn't really sure what SPS coral to try first once this is done.I thought maybe birdnest would be a good one.

 

[KSC]

A K1 or 2 is not going to do much in a 90. I would stick with K4's or go Maxijet 900's or 1200's which you could mod later on.

 

[RIreefer]

I've got 2 (3)'s already...was going to just add another 1 or 2 to increase flow in bottom 1/3 of tank....you think I should add another 3 or 4?

 

[daveb]

You should see how the flow is with your current setup, and gauge from there how much more flow you would like, and where.

I also recomend if you havn't already upgrading the bulbs on your NEP unit. Check out the ATI, UVL, and Geissman bulbs. You can get a crazy spectrum of colors.

 

[reeferpj]

if your ever in the bridgewater area give me a pm i can hook you up with some beginner coral

 

[jackthestrat]

How mature should DT be before adding any SPS?
In my opinion it isn't about how mature your tank is, but how disciplined you are as a reefer. It just so happens that the older your tank is the more experienced you tend to be.


When its ready, what would be some good "beginner" SPS to go with?
Montis are good, resilient SPS corals.

Ones to avoid?
I would avoid acros and birdsnest style corals. The first can be finicky and (IME)have a prolonged growth curve when first added (which can make impatient folks start mucking about with the tank, which kills stability), and the second are prone to polyp bailout if your chemistry isn't stable.

6x54 w T5's enough?
For most, but it will also depend heavily on placement.

How to adjust flow strength for SPS vs. softies....placement?
Yup. Agitated, random flow. Maybe think about reducing the amount of LR in your tank (140lbs is a lot of rock, dude). Plus you need space for growth.

 

[mchartier]

I am setting up a 90 for SPS, how does everyone test for flow (probably a stupid question)? I was thinking of tying fishing line to some of the rocks and watch that to see what is moving.

 

[RIreefer]

if your ever in the bridgewater area give me a pm i can hook you up with some beginner coral

Thanks, that's really nice of you. Bridgewater isn't too far of a drive for us...about 35 mins.

 

[reeferpj]

Ya not to bad of a drive

 

[stingythingy45]

I am setting up a 90 for SPS, how does everyone test for flow (probably a stupid question)? I was thinking of tying fishing line to some of the rocks and watch that to see what is moving.

Most folks just add up the GPH of the powerheads/return they're using.
It's trial and error with the corals,indirect flow is best.
I never glue stuff down permanently til I see how it's doing.