SPS grow out

[Shiggknight]

I just cycled my frag tank and I want to get some sticks under the lights ASAP what should I do to get the tank ready for SPS. I have 4 T5s and 2 AI Primes over it. Protein skimmer.

 

[Spare time]

It wouldn't be bad to add a variety of bacteria such as eco balance, pns brobio, etc to get the diversity started.

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

I just cycled my frag tank and I want to get some sticks under the lights ASAP what should I do to get the tank ready for SPS. I have 4 T5s and 2 AI Primes over it. Protein skimmer.

You’ll want to check the par before you put sps in there. AI primes are not very “par”erful, .

 

[Shiggknight]

I added dr.tims and microbacter 7

 

[Spare time]

I added dr.tims and microbacter 7

Those are different than eco balance and pns. I am thinking these two since they can act as competition for resources during the algae phase.

 

[Spare time]

I think you are good to go. If you get a hair algae problem at first that covers the frags you can always try reef flux rx down the road but you should be fine. Maybe consider a six line wrasse or something like a blenny to keep in there as a sort of maintenance fish

 

[jstncoffman]

I'd definitely say get everything cycled and solid, if your going to keep sensitive acros, water parms are the key, you coukd also use some water from a well established system to help soil the rock, i my self still patiently waiting for my smaller frag tank to cycle and get solid, P04 N03 levels at a controlled point, if wjen you start to see alge forming from new tank setup ive had good luck with vibrant products, but keep in mind the bacteria needs to be established just my 2cents

 

[Shiggknight]

I think you are good to go. If you get a hair algae problem at first that covers the frags you can always try reef flux rx down the road but you should be fine. Maybe consider a six line wrasse or something like a blenny to keep in there as a sort of maintenance fish

I have a six line wrasse in there alrea day eating doing great.

 

[jeffm]

Patience Awesome set up.

Is the frag tank connected to a display? If it is you can move pretty fast. If not, I would add a few beneficial fish (algae eater, wrasse...) to help with bioload. Then I would wait a bit to see some coralline algae starting. Then I would add some easy stuff - zoas, LPS. Then a few easy SPS - monti, digi, Birdnest. Then try some standard torts, stag etc. If everything is successful to that point (probably 6months plus) then you can drop some $ on some nice collector SPS with confidence. Remember you can always sell off some of the more common stuff to help make room and to have a little coin to get what you really want.

Along the way you’ll have to start dosing. A tank like that a dosing pump is the easy route. At the start you can even just dose by hand. I did for years. But even a smaller tank full of beautiful acro colonies and frags will go through a serious amount of ALK, Cal, and Mag. I’m a fan of Calcium reactors for long term costs and stability with acros.

Side note. Looks like from the pic the bottom is full of rock rubble. You might find it extremely difficult to maintain. Detritus will be an issue. You’ll want to blast the bottom with flow and leave minimal areas for detritus to collect. It probably still will collect in a corner or something but it will be easy to vacuum out. Even with elevated frag racks it’s hard to stay on top of detritus. Personally I do like having some rock in my frag tank. You can glue down grow-out pieces and distributed frags around it. IMO acros always grow better firmly mounted.

 

[stephj03]

When you say you cycled it can you outline what you did to cycle over what time frame?

Was any live rock transfered from another system?

 

[hotdrop]

Your rocks look really white /new for a sps tank. If you can source some really clean established rock that might sees thing off a bit faster. Otherwise wait about 6 months

 

[Dlealrious]

Let the algae cycle happen properly if your keeping sps and its a sererate system. Or not and be another person asking why my acro is dying

 

[jda]

You have any live rock from another tank? This is better than bacteria in a bottle.

 

[Everything Aquatics]

I just cycled my frag tank and I want to get some sticks under the lights ASAP what should I do to get the tank ready for SPS. I have 4 T5s and 2 AI Primes over it. Protein skimmer.

what tank is this

 

[Shiggknight]

Advanced acrylics out in Cali made it for me.

 

[Kenneth Wingerter]

You have any live rock from another tank? This is better than bacteria in a bottle.

tho i'd add, that totally depends upon what's on the rock and in the bottle.

 

[StevePhx]

Advanced acrylics out in Cali made it for me.

When did you order from them? How long did it take to get the tank?

 

[Shiggknight]

It took about a month ide say they are all made to order I think so it was a nice clean beautiful tank.