SPS For dummies

[SR52012]

So I was gifted some SPS and im still kinda new to SW in general... where is the best all around "SPS for dummies" resource? Something to help me get the basic info all in one place that i can sit and read while im "working" lol.

Thanks in advance!

Happy New Year everyone!

 

[tripdad]

Go to the SPS forum. there is a sticky thread at the top with a lot of good info.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

Alkalinity.

Alkalinity.

Alkalinity.

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

YouTube has several great videos on SPS care as well. For me, the major thing to look out for is parameter swings, consistency is super key with SPS corals.

If you don't mind me asking, what sort of SPS corals did you get? Certain types have specific care requirements/quirks associated with them.

 

[SR52012]

YouTube has several great videos on SPS care as well. For me, the major thing to look out for is parameter swings, consistency is super key with SPS corals.

If you don't mind me asking, what sort of SPS corals did you get? Certain types have specific care requirements/quirks associated with them.

I got a Forest fire Digi and a Birdsnest.

I am running a 75 gal DT with a 55gal tank as a sump, 32" SBReef Light.

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

I got a Forest fire Digi and a Birdsnest.

I am running a 75 gal DT with a 55gal tank as a sump, 32" SBReef Light.

Both of those are fairly forgiving :) I would place both of them towards the top of your aquascape. If the polyps on either of those corals are out, then things are going pretty well for them. Keep an eye on them because both will let you know pretty quickly if they're upset about something.

 

[SR52012]

Both of those are fairly forgiving :) I would place both of them towards the top of your aquascape. If the polyps on either of those corals are out, then things are going pretty well for them. Keep an eye on them because both will let you know pretty quickly if they're upset about something.

By "letting me know" i take it you mean polyps wont extend and loss of color correct?

 

[SR52012]

20180101_204821 by Mike Hamilton, on Flickr

20180101_204811 by Mike Hamilton, on Flickr

20180101_204758 by Mike Hamilton, on Flickr

20180101_204805 by Mike Hamilton, on Flickr

20180101_204747 by Mike Hamilton, on Flickr

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

By "letting me know" i take it you mean polyps wont extend and loss of color correct?

Those are two common things that they will do. What are your lights set at currently and what are your water parameters like?

 

[jda]

SPS forum will help. So will some books - keeping hard coral is no different today than it was a decade ago.

Generally, SPS are divided into two kinds. There are your MBP&S (Montis, Birdsnest, Pocilipora and Stylophora) that are very easy and typically not too demanding. Then, there is Acropora - these are not as easy and some are downright difficult. To be best served, it is always good to mention what kind you have so that people can help best.

Also, any SPS are hard in new tanks. Yours looks pretty new. Typically, once the tank has coraline growing everywhere and new "spots" growing on the glass all the time, it is ready for SPS - nothing is impossible before this, just much harder.

 

[SR52012]

I have the lights set to: ( i have to double check these settings i set it last night)
Moonlights: 06:00-10:00 - 18:00- 21:00
Blues: 09:00-20:00
Whites: 10:00-13:00 - 15:00-18:00 (going to change this.

White channel is set to 50% and blue channel set to 60% i think.


I need to test my water

 

[SR52012]

What is a good test kit that is relatively cheap?

 

[jda]

Salifert for Alk, Calcium, Nitrate. Refractometer for Salinity. Glass/mercury thermometer for temp. Save up for a Hannah 736 for Phosphate - most other test kits are very hard to read.

 

[HB AL]

Impeccable water quality
Strong lights
Steady alk and calc
Theres a lot more to it but if the above are all perfect your sps will thank you by growing into wonderful animals.

 

[SR52012]

So after reading the sticky's i figured i would post more about my set up incase it helps...

Light: 32" SBReef light timmer
Tank: Petco 75 gal
Sump: Petco 55 gal
Wave Maker: Broken getting a new one soon. Using a temp one.
Return pump: Jebao DC8000 plumbed to 2 3/4 returns one on each side (i have a borrowed DC16000 on it right now tho and it is turned down)
Drain: EShopps Eclipse-S drilled in the middle.
Sump "layout": Drains into a filter sock, Euro reef skimmer, cheato and LR, return pump. Common chamber sump, egg crate "walls" holding cheato in place. Circ pump in sump to keep stuff afloat

I have a reactor laying around that i got from someone, i will be putting carbon in it.

 

[Reefnjunkie]

Alkalinity.

Alkalinity.

Alkalinity.

As in "Stability" that's key/crucial

 

[smokin'reefer]

Flow for me was the turning point. My reeflink some how reset to a higher setting on my mp40's and rocked my tank so much my tank had shifted about 4" off of the risers I used for leveling. But man my acros started growing. I reset the tank with sturdier risers and we are off to the races.

 

[2Wheelsonly]

Keep an eye on them because both will let you know pretty quickly if they're upset about something.

This is why I love my green birdsnest seriatopora; it grows like weeds and will instantly tell me if something is off in my tank. It's great for filling empty spots until other more expensive corals grow out; frags galore and my source of free salt from LFS! :)

 

[SR52012]

This is why I love my green birdsnest seriatopora; it grows like weeds and will instantly tell me if something is off in my tank. It's great for filling empty spots until other more expensive corals grow out; frags galore and my source of free salt from LFS! :)

I can only hope to have this "problem" lol

 

[SR52012]

I also just scored an ATO for $15 so im going to be working on adding that