Millepora and Tenuis difficulty

[CatsandClowns]

You would be better off saving up and getting a trident and dosing setup it will change everything for you. I know you didnt want to here that though.
The key is dosing and testing to be successful theres no way around it. Can you keep acros without doing that yes, theres really hardy ones out there but millis and tennis are not on that list of easy. I do currently have a tuff as nails sunset milli I got from Battle Corals and my Laser Melon tenni is just growing like crazy despite being a finicky coral. Most acros will adjust to your lighting, the more intense the better. And they love flow. I like to support my LFS, the owner is actually a friend. If your buying from LFS Just make sure there aquacultured pieces. DO NOT get maricultured. This will just make a challenging coral even more tuff and could dissuade you from trying to do acros all together.
There's easy acros, there not all super hard to grow. Tri color Valida is really easy acro, Aussie gold , BC Firebrand is a smoothie that has been very hardy for me.
You could also try bubble gum digi or forest fire digi. These are super easy branching corals that are very underrated and hardy.

Ehhhhhh, yea I cannot get a setup like that right now.

You would be better off saving up and getting a trident and dosing setup it will change everything for you. I know you didnt want to here that though.
The key is dosing and testing to be successful theres no way around it. Can you keep acros without doing that yes, theres really hardy ones out there but millis and tennis are not on that list of easy. I do currently have a tuff as nails sunset milli I got from Battle Corals and my Laser Melon tenni is just growing like crazy despite being a finicky coral. Most acros will adjust to your lighting, the more intense the better. And they love flow. I like to support my LFS, the owner is actually a friend. If your buying from LFS Just make sure there aquacultured pieces. DO NOT get maricultured. This will just make a challenging coral even more tuff and could dissuade you from trying to do acros all together.
There's easy acros, there not all super hard to grow. Tri color Valida is really easy acro, Aussie gold , BC Firebrand is a smoothie that has been very hardy for me.
You could also try bubble gum digi or forest fire digi. These are super easy branching corals that are very underrated and hardy.

I cant afford an automated testing system such as the Trident, not only is it expensive up front, but the perpetual cost for refilling reagents is too high. I truly don't mind testing, its honestly habit at this point, and while it most certainly would be more effective to have a trident, I cant justify spending that much on a piece of gear, and not in the foreseeable future. I don't mind spending a good amount on a dosing system(not trident level costs), do you have any recommendations for dosing systems that allow for wide range of programmability.

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

Kamoer makes some decent dosers that are programmable. Red Sea dosers are also pretty decent and you can go with single heads, or multiples. I use Apex DOS on my SPS tank, which are very pricy up front, but have been amazing with keeping their precision and the ability to integrate back into the overall APEX/Trident.

 

[Reef Puncher]

Extreme stability (alk/cal/NO3/PO4 IMO most important), high light, and high flow. I had an accidental overdose of PO4+ a couple of nights ago and had a quick jump up ~0.2 ppm and it quickly came back down overnight, but it caused a RTN event in a small colony.

If you have the ability to auto dose, and auto check major parameters, that goes a LONG way to achieving that stability. I don't think they are necessarily more difficult than other corals, but they are much less forgiving.

you said it perfect. the only difference is they are less forgiving of swings. i have automated alk tester and auto dosers and even then, i still have a hard time keeping alk and Po4 from swinging a little. one day my alk is 8.5 two days later is 8.0. its so wierd why that happens.

 

[Reef Puncher]

amazon sells an $80 4 dosing head pump. i mean, its not as long term reliable as others but it works on wifi, is programmable and gets the job done. i used it for 2 years, until it started squeeking and whining, and i switched to pricier hydros setup.

link to doser

 

[CatsandClowns]

amazon sells an $80 4 dosing head pump. i mean, its not as long term reliable as others but it works on wifi, is programmable and gets the job done. i used it for 2 years, until it started squeeking and whining, and i switched to pricier hydros setup.

link to doser

Thanks for those, I have been looking at reviews for hydros.. and I’m lost. The debate between apex/dos and hydros controller and pump seems like the debate Between PS4 and Xbox, or Apple to android. Every single review contradicts the previous one and I have no idea. I’m not looking to centralize everything in my tank therefore I don’t feel I need/want any single piece of gear to manage more than one thing. I seem to have turned this into a dosing pump thread

 

[Nitrogencat]

Red digi was my first acro… good start there

 

[Jasonak]

Ehhhhhh, yea I cannot get a setup like that right now.

I cant afford an automated testing system such as the Trident, not only is it expensive up front, but the perpetual cost for refilling reagents is too high. I truly don't mind testing, its honestly habit at this point, and while it most certainly would be more effective to have a trident, I cant justify spending that much on a piece of gear, and not in the foreseeable future. I don't mind spending a good amount on a dosing system(not trident level costs), do you have any recommendations for dosing systems that allow for wide range of programmability.

I hear ya man, once you get dosing dialed. If your testing 3 times a week you would be good. Just test daily while your tuning things in. I use both apex dos and hydros. Id recomend the apex dos out of those 2, but I'm sure there's a lot of cheaper standalone options. I just couldn't recommend anything cuz. I don't have any first-hand use of any of them. i bought my Apex system for 200 bucks. I bought my last trident for 300. So you can find deals on them, if it's something you want to think about down the road. And you can program the trident to last 6 months on 3 months worth of reagents.

 

[CatsandClowns]

Ehhhhhh, yea I cannot get a setup like that right now.

I cant afford an automated testing system such as the Trident, not only is it expensive up front, but the perpetual cost for refilling reagents is too high. I truly don't mind testing, its honestly habit at this point, and while it most certainly would be more effective to have a trident, I cant justify spending that much on a piece of gear, and not in the foreseeable future. I don't mind spending a good amount on a dosing system(not trident level costs), do you have any recommendations for dosing systems that allow for wide range of programmability.

I hear ya man, once you get dosing dialed. If your testing 3 times a week you would be good. Just test daily while your tuning things in. I use both apex dos and hydros. Id recomend the apex dos out of those 2, but I'm sure there's a lot of cheaper standalone options. I just couldn't recommend anything cuz. I don't have any first-hand use of any of them. i bought my Apex system for 200 bucks. I bought my last trident for 300. So you can find deals on them, if it's something you want to think about down the road. And you can program the trident to last 6 months on 3 months worth of reagents.

Hey! I am leaning heavily toward a hydros system, probably one of the entry level models. I was looking at single dosing pumps initially, but being able to add multiple modules and dosing pumps down the line with the hydros seems really nice.(Not sure if I will go the AFR route anymore, I kind of like dosing parts individually, gives more control). Plus it hurts my wallet less

 

[Dogeatbird]

Generally speaking, I would group all sps as advanced care requirements. Why? Well tolerance adaptations are limited. Husbandry requirements are increased. Expectation are also increased(color, form, exclusivity)

Will automation increase survival rate and success? Yes, and maybe no. What automation provides is a set action on a regular basis. Monitoring, and maintenance are not always included in automation platforms. Controllers(Neptune Systems, Hydros, Focustronic) provide a window into parameters monitoring and adjustment. These systems also require maintenance and management to function ideally.

Trace elements also need to be considered, aside from ICP testing/ water changes, maintaining known values could also play a role in success.

Lastly, please be aware that species level identification is not always possible in the aquarium trade. Nomenclature requires observation of an organism in the environmental ecosystem. So to say this Acropora spp. or that Porites spp. or maybe a Heliopora spp. will thrive is challenging. All any hobbyist can do is try and create an idea facsimile of an ecosystem niche and practice a methodology that will provide a similar experience to what was found in nature.

 

[Dogeatbird]

One more tangent regarding automation/dosing setup. All dosing pumps require periodic calibration and maintenance of tubing/ pump heads.
Much like testing or automated testing,(reagent shelf life, probe age/calibration, crucible condition) Peristaltic pumps also have maintenance requirements. Adjustments will be needed to amount dosed, schedule of dosing. Placement of dosed additives also impact maintenance schedule of return/flow pumps. Before committing to “brand” doser, reach out to a LFS, reef club, community forum about your inclination.
If you decide that is something you are wanting to commit to, a little information, planning, can save a lot of money and frustration.

 

[CatsandClowns]

Generally speaking, I would group all sps as advanced care requirements. Why? Well tolerance adaptations are limited. Husbandry requirements are increased. Expectation are also increased(color, form, exclusivity)

Will automation increase survival rate and success? Yes, and maybe no. What automation provides is a set action on a regular basis. Monitoring, and maintenance are not always included in automation platforms. Controllers(Neptune Systems, Hydros, Focustronic) provide a window into parameters monitoring and adjustment. These systems also require maintenance and management to function ideally.

Trace elements also need to be considered, aside from ICP testing/ water changes, maintaining known values could also play a role in success.

Lastly, please be aware that species level identification is not always possible in the aquarium trade. Nomenclature requires observation of an organism in the environmental ecosystem. So to say this Acropora spp. or that Porites spp. or maybe a Heliopora spp. will thrive is challenging. All any hobbyist can do is try and create an idea facsimile of an ecosystem niche and practice a methodology that will provide a similar experience to what was found in nature.

That is very true. I cant say I have been diving yet I would love to some time. I do watch a lot of nature documentaries though, and one things for sure, if some of these massive wild colonies were cut up into tiny little frags, if you didn't already see what the colony looked like, it would be very tough to tell what species it actually is, particularly acropora

 

[bobnicaragua]

SPS keeping is method based, people tend to over complicate it. Set you tank up with with SPS as the focus.

I dose kalkwasser at night and BRS 2 part during the day. All for reef works fine. Just keep up your water changes and the tank tends to chug along. I test alk every 2 weeks and occasionally phosphates. You don’t have to test constantly.

I’d jump into classic acros , that’s really the most rewarding arena to play in.

 

[CatsandClowns]

One more tangent regarding automation/dosing setup. All dosing pumps require periodic calibration and maintenance of tubing/ pump heads.
Much like testing or automated testing,(reagent shelf life, probe age/calibration, crucible condition) Peristaltic pumps also have maintenance requirements. Adjustments will be needed to amount dosed, schedule of dosing. Placement of dosed additives also impact maintenance schedule of return/flow pumps. Before committing to “brand” doser, reach out to a LFS, reef club, community forum about your inclination.
If you decide that is something you are wanting to commit to, a little information, planning, can save a lot of money and frustration.

I have been thinking of running the dosing line either into my return chamber or in front of my return pumps. I have good flow between baffles to my return chamber, although I understand what youre saying about maintenance, Id have to routinely clean my return pump as well as calibrate/replace dosing lines. I personally think its worth it. Regarding the brand, everyone has their own preference and contradictory opinion/negative experience with any other dosing pump. I think I will start with a basic hydros controller for no other reason than to keep parameters in check with simple dosing system(I more or less know my tanks current consumption rate) and have better control on flow in the tank with my wavemakers

 

[Dogeatbird]

Most of the complicating issues are niche dependent. Flow, water movement varies significantly depending on what part of a reef you are in. (Deep fore, reef crest, back reef, lagoon) Additional flow patterns are not simply a place issue.

Light requirements also vary, both in requirements and intensity. One thing to note is that intense light requires higher flow. Namely because as intensity increases so does the production process of compounds that can damage a colony. Thus higher flow/variable flow is needed for chemical exchange.

That is why most say this, that, and another is needed for X/Y/and Z.

Long story made short, yes some sps are relatively easy, others are not. 19 hobbyist will give 38 recommendations for what is a group of animals, and husbandry requirements. Sift through all that, and apply what is needed by your goals.

You already are ahead on the fact that you are planning for a potential expansion of your skill set. Best of luck and success in your endeavors.

 

[KStatefan]

Lots of good advice in this thread. Just wanted to add that there are lots of good looking acro that have been in the hobby for years that to me are more robust. You can have a great sps tank with no tenuis in it.

Mail ordering coral is not bad. I do not have a LFS so without that I would not have much. For sps battlecorals is where I order from. Lots of options there.

 

[reefpanda]

Somehow I have more luck with Tenuis than Millies and only have a colony of Millie left. Currently dosing 25ml to my 25 gal AIO. You will want good random flow and lots of light

 

[SeaDweller]

Heyo! I went with the typical sps suggestion for beginners being monti, stlyophora and green slimer. Ive had some success with turbinaria, and other encrusting corals. I have noticed some slight growth on a few of the prominent corallites on the slimer as well as full constant PE. This has got me more interested in acros. I personally do not want to run the gambit ordering acropora online, or any other corals for that matter, so Ive got my LFS(which occasionally has some nice pieces) and another local shop which sells largely tenuis and millepora'. Luckily enough these are some of my favorite species, yet I have read mixed experiences keeping them. Do these species of acropora share same care requirements as other beginner sps(torts, slimer, etc) in terms of flow/lighting intensity, are they more or less sensitive to light acclimatization? Are they more or less susceptible to pests? Since they are more challenging, what makes them so?

Youre in SD? Youre in luck. Plenty of local reefers, including myself, selling frags that have been aquacultured, which makes them a whole lot easier to care for.

Pretty much same care for those two. HMU when you think you're ready.

 

[CatsandClowns]

Heyo! I went with the typical sps suggestion for beginners being monti, stlyophora and green slimer. Ive had some success with turbinaria, and other encrusting corals. I have noticed some slight growth on a few of the prominent corallites on the slimer as well as full constant PE. This has got me more interested in acros. I personally do not want to run the gambit ordering acropora online, or any other corals for that matter, so Ive got my LFS(which occasionally has some nice pieces) and another local shop which sells largely tenuis and millepora'. Luckily enough these are some of my favorite species, yet I have read mixed experiences keeping them. Do these species of acropora share same care requirements as other beginner sps(torts, slimer, etc) in terms of flow/lighting intensity, are they more or less sensitive to light acclimatization? Are they more or less susceptible to pests? Since they are more challenging, what makes them so?

Youre in SD? Youre in luck. Plenty of local reefers, including myself, selling frags that have been aquacultured, which makes them a whole lot easier to care for.

Pretty much same care for those two. HMU when you think you're ready.

You’ve got me stoked! It may definitely take a while. I have already purchased a few inexpensive tenuis frags that are doing really well(immediate PE and full looking tissue) knock on wood. I need to make sure I can grow acros before I take you up on that offer. Thank you!

 

[CatsandClowns]

Been a little bit, but I have observed that A. Tenuis are slow to adjust to new tank lighting. They've stayed in the lower half of the tank since introduction, and only until they've started growing does the color begin to come back, even then extremely slowly. Also Then again they are blue which is a tough color to keep, especially light blue. This color is only visually apparent under heavy blue spectrum in the afternoon and night since I have my whites and blues peak at different times of day. So Ill add to the relative difficulty in Tenuis is in keeping the color. This is contrary to my experience with Millepora, which doesn't seem to be as sensitive to lighting and nutrient conditions. Also, why do they look more colorful from the top down this is strange to me