So started with sps I have questions?

[Bravoman]

My concern is with phos and nitrates. I’ve been feeding twice a day seaweed strip in the morning and evenings with a mix of coral frenzy ,misis shrimp ,ad+ and a clam every 3-4days. In a 40 gallon tank. My phos and nitrates are at undetectable levels it’s been like this for the pasts 18 months. What could be stripping the nutrients away. I have a little skimmer that came with this all in one tank and it’s on for about 6hrs of the day. Will this be fine for sps ? Thank has been stable with other parameters.
Alk 9.2
Mag 1425
Cal 430
5 gallon water change once every 3 weeks

 

[Tahoe61]

Your LPS and Clam are doing beautifully. I would definitely proceed with a cheaper hardy SPS like Montipora.

 

[Biff0rz]

With feeding that much, I'm surprised your nutrients are so low. What test kits are you using?

 

[Cichlid Dad]

If that's clove polyp or pulsing zenia on the back wall, that maybe why you have trouble with nutrients.

 

[Bravoman]

With feeding that much, I'm surprised your nutrients are so low. What test kits are you using?

I’m using Hanna HR nitrate and phosphorus ULR testers

 

[Bravoman]

If that's clove polyp or pulsing zenia on the back wall, that maybe why you have trouble with nutrients.

They are clove polyps on back wall. But is it a bad thing If everything is growing fine ?

 

[Bravoman]

Your LPS and Clam are doing beautifully. I would definitely proceed with a cheaper hardy SPS like Montipora.

I do have a cheap sps in the tank for 1 months now and incrusting on the rock and getting it’s color back

 

[Spare time]

If you are concerned about very low nitrate and phosphate, just start feeding the coral food more frequently.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

They are clove polyps on back wall. But is it a bad thing If everything is growing fine ?

No, not at all, they just take up nutrients and that's probably why you have a hard time keeping them up. Some people use them in their sumps for that purpose.

 

[Bravoman]

If you are concerned about very low nitrate and phosphate, just start feeding the coral food more frequently.

Thanks , I do spot feed once a week now

 

[SudzFD]

My concern is with phos and nitrates. I’ve been feeding twice a day seaweed strip in the morning and evenings with a mix of coral frenzy ,misis shrimp ,ad+ and a clam every 3-4days. In a 40 gallon tank. My phos and nitrates are at undetectable levels it’s been like this for the pasts 18 months. What could be stripping the nutrients away. I have a little skimmer that came with this all in one tank and it’s on for about 6hrs of the day. Will this be fine for sps ? Thank has been stable with other parameters.
Alk 9.2
Mag 1425
Cal 430
5 gallon water change once every 3 weeks

Get a montipora and try it out. You will need to dose alkalinity and calcium if you are not already.

 

[Bravoman]

Get a montipora and try it out. You will need to dose alkalinity and calcium if you are not already.

I’m dosing 13 ml of Alk and 10ml of cal atm a day and 25 ml of mag a week

 

[Reefering1]

18 months and things are doing well, I would go for it. High input and low residual is the way of the ocean. The people whose corals suffer with that, don't feed enough..

 

[Bravoman]

18 months and things are doing well, I would go for it. High input and low residual is the way of the ocean. The people whose corals suffer with that, don't feed enough..

Yeah thanks going all in !!!
Picked up Walt Disney, homewrecker and rainbow splice. Wish me luck.

 

[j.speaks]

I’m using Hanna HR nitrite and phosphorus ULR testers

Is it actually nitrite or is this a typo?

 

[Bravoman]

Nope that was not for me

 

[Bravoman]

Is it actually nitrite or is this a typo?

Yes typo nitrate!!!

 

[Bravoman]

so just confirmed with icp test by ATI po4 and nitrates are low just scared to adjust if my tank is looking ok.

 

[jlowe]

tang police!!

 

[goosemans]

Unrelated, but I’d suggest moving your maxima to the top of your rock work, it’s getting shaded out by your acans. They need more light than acropora.