SPS FRAGS IN MY CHECKOUT

[mimi117]

Hey Fellow Reefers,

I am looking to buy a few acropora/milli frags online.

My tank parameters are pretty stable day to day, I have been testing everyday since inception, tank has been up 7 weeks.

My PH stays at 7.8, I have seen it go to 8.0, but it is typically 7.8.

I bought a doser for (kalkwasser) a little over a week ago to see if I could elevate PH, I started dosing 5ML per hour, using a solution of 1/2 tsp per 1500ML of container volume.
Today, I changed the solution (since I ran out of solution and re-loaded it today) to 1/4 tsp for 1500ML.

My alk is around 9.9, my question is with Acro corals, you want a lower alk value correct? 8-9? Does anyone here have experience growing out Acros/Milli/Monte at a higher alk level and lower ph level? I read lower ph does not help with growth rates in acros, and same with a higher alk value, but I guess every tank is different.

Tank: 20G
Light: AI Prime HD 16
PH: 7.8
Temp: 77
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 5 ppm
Phosphate: (reading 0) salifert test
Salinity: 1.024
DKH: 9.9

I am dosing 1.5ML of Recover (aminos) daily, and 1ML of SeaChem Reef Plus (trace elements)

I currently have a few acan frags, a duncan coral & 1 colony of zoanthids, all are doing well.

Let me know what you think, or if I should wait till my alkalinity is lower to buy these frags.

I use Reef Crystals, but I tested a new batch of 5G and it was registering a whopping 15.2 dkh, so I bought the regular crystals that supposedly have a lower mixing alk of around 11. I'd hate to buy these frags and them not make it because of elevated parameters.

 

[Hemmbone20]

If the tank has only been up 7 weeks I think your acros will have a hard time.
What kind of rock did you start with?
If you started with true live rock you could try an easy one like a green slimer as a test coral, but I think putting in a big online acro order at this stage is a big financial risk!!

I added a cheap acro to my tank when it was about 3 months old… it stayed alive for almost 2 months but had zero growth. Like legit zero. Then it finally died. I was being impatient and I knew it…
I’m just now seeing good stony coral growth but I’m 9 months in…

 

[mimi117]

It was base rock, cycled it for two 1/2 weeks without fish, just adding bacteria and ammonia, then after it showed no ammonia but still high nitrite/nitrate, I added fish and bought a few corals, it's been stable since.

 

[Tonycass12]

Lots of us did exactly what you are doing. Unless your cool with loosing 80% of what you get you should lay off sps for another year at a minimum. It's a hard lesson to learn and many must learn it themselves rather than from advice.

 

[Hemmbone20]

It was base rock, cycled it for two 1/2 weeks without fish, just adding bacteria and ammonia, then after it showed no ammonia but still high nitrite/nitrate, I added fish and bought a few corals, it's been stable since.

At this stage you’re 1000% better off investing that same money in equipment, like good power heads, lights, and eventually dosing stuff.
Based on your build thread your tank is 5 1/2 weeks old and started with dry rock, I can guarantee your acros won’t do well.
If you’re dying to get a frag you could get a Monti Digi, but again almost certain it won’t thrive.
Once you see new growth tips from the Monti then try an Acro.
Stability is important but so is maturity. I’ve been through this hardcore over the past year with my new tank. No matter how much you try, even with PERFECT water parameters, stony corals really struggle to grow in new tanks.

 

[spsick]

It was base rock, cycled it for two 1/2 weeks without fish, just adding bacteria and ammonia, then after it showed no ammonia but still high nitrite/nitrate, I added fish and bought a few corals, it's been stable since.

Does base rock mean live rock from the ocean or dry rock?

At seven weeks old, you’re going to kill every Millie you put in that tank. Try Montipora digitata to start :)

As far as your alkalinity, 9-10 is fine if you have higher nitrate and phosphate IMO. My concern (aside from your infant tank) is your light really lacks the coverage any Acropora are going to want.

 

[mimi117]

Noted all, thanks for your comments.

 

[Hemmbone20]

Noted all, thanks for your comments.

No judgement though I get the struggle..
For your tank size, save your coral money now and invest in an MP10 if you want to eventually keep acros… you’ll be happy that you did when you get further down the road.

Or, find a local reefer who would sell you some mature rock. That should speed things up too.
I have a bunch that I’m trying to get rid of in the Tampa area.. been soaking for 9 months, and I have too much.

 

[mimi117]

@Hemmbone20 I have a hygger nano wave maker, it makes a nice rocking motion in the tank, still think the MP10 would be a better play? It's not over kill for my 20 nano?

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

I'm going to throw this out there...

Unless you have been reefing for awhile, stay away from acros in a 20g. The smaller the tank, the harder it is to keep stable and acros have a habit of quickly perishing if not kept very stable.

Keep LPS/Softies/Shroom/Zoas/Blastos etc in a 20g.

 

[Hemmbone20]

I'm going to throw this out there...

Unless you have been reefing for awhile, stay away from acros in a 20g. The smaller the tank, the harder it is to keep stable and acros have a habit of quickly perishing if not kept very stable.

Keep LPS/Softies/Shroom/Zoas/Blastos etc in a 20g.

In theory yes, but it’s totally possible…

 

[Bohemian Waxwing]

I disagree with some of the advice above. I think it’s possible if you make smart choices.

Start with Green Slimer and Torts (miyagi or cali).

If you want some branching SPS, consider Montipora digitata, stylophora or Birdsnest.

Basically if it’s over $40 you probably shouldn’t try it (yet). Cheaper usually means grows faster so higher supply. If it grows fast it’s very likely easier to keep.

 

[mimi117]

Yea, most are under $40 a pop. I'll still heed yalls recommendations

 

[Hemmbone20]

@Hemmbone20 I have a hygger nano wave maker, it makes a nice rocking motion in the tank, still think the MP10 would be a better play? It's not over kill for my 20 nano?

I guess I’d have to see it.. I just know that flow is something I’m always wishing I had more of now that I have acros in my tank.
The ability to provide good random flow that changes throughout the day is so good for keeping the tank clean.

 

[mimi117]

Gonna behave myself and just get these two and see how they hold up.

Will be placing them high on the tank, high/moderate flow.

 

[Red_Beard]

That monti will be a good indicator for you too. The polyps out and red is good, if something is off they will retract and stay that way. (Dont panic though if they are retracted once in a while, im talking over the course of a day or two). Those are bothe good hardy choices. If they do well over 3-4 months and show growth then that is a good indicator you are good to slowly ramp up

 

[mimi117]

Yea, we will see how things go!

Probably 12+ years ago I had an AIO 24 gallon, and in there I had a birds nest that took off, and that tank didn't have all the gadgets my new one does so I am hopeful.

 

[pooootiqe]

Honestly, no learning experience is complete without a few dead acros… ;)

They’ll force you to be in tune with your tank way more than euphyllias, softies and all…

 

[Hemmbone20]

Good luck! I agree with @Red_Beard. I used to use my Monti as a gauge of when to do water changes. As soon as a did a water change polyps would be so much more extended.

 

[mimi117]

If corals are looking great, and you have your dosing regimen in check, all parameters you test for are stable are you guys still doing bi-weekly water changes? I haven't done a water change going on two weeks and all my stuff looks super good in the tank right now.

I used to have this hammer coral back in the day and it would inflate so much under my metal halide, I used to use that as a gauge if something was up with the tank.