Thinking about giving SPS another try

[Steve2020]

My tank has been up and running now for 16mo. Tank is 99% LPS and softies with one SPS that I believe is doing well. Long story short, when my tank was only going for 3mo I purchased a birds nest that for 2 months was doing great growing like a weed then all of a sudden RTN. I contributed this to the tank was still to young. In October 2021 I purchased a Purple Stylo, Green Slimer and was giving a free stick that I have no clue what it is. In December 2021 the Stylo started to STN and the Green Slimer started to brown slime on the tip so I removed them. I left the freebie SPS in. At this time I decided that I was going to just stick with LPS and softies. After purchasing 2 very nice Aussie Wall Frogspawns and a large Acan colony in late December 2021 I decided to go from a 17.5K spectrum to a 19.490K spectrum and reduce the intensity at the top of the rockscape from 350 par to 225-250 par. To this date all corals are doing great. The freebie stick in the last few months is growing fairly quick and has gone from all brown in color to now green and brown ever since I adjusted my lights to the new spectrum and intensity. Also lowered my turnover rate from 70X to 45X. Was my original light spectrum and intensity a possible cause for the STN of the Stylo and browning on the tip of the Slimer? I am thinking of trying some more so called easy SPS again.
Does anyone have any idea what my freebie SPS is?

Parameters:
PH: 8.32-8.37 BRS Duo Jumbo Scrubber Skimmer Recirc setup with Fresh Air input and Electronic Ball Valve for CO2 enriched air GHL P4 controlled.
Temp: 77.4-78.3
Salinity: 35ppt
Redox: 282
NO3: 11.1ppm
PO4: .04ppm
Calcium: 456
Alkalinity: 9.0
Auto Water Change: 3.5gal every 4 days with one 15gal every 30 days

This is the freebie in Quarantine


Freebie Today. What is it and yes there are a couple Hydroids I need to remove


Tank Photos







Moving from Quarantine to Display Tank tomorrow

 

[SamMule]

Your acro looks like a tort. Aussie gold or Miyagi Tort would be my guess.

Also, love that RFA!

 

[Steve2020]

Your acro looks like a tort. Aussie gold or Miyagi Tort would be my guess.

Also, love that RFA!

Had to look up Tort. I believe you are correct from the photos I saw on Google. My knowledge of SPS is pretty much ZERO.
I really like my RFA. He was the size of a silver dollar when I got him and now he is about 7 inch diameter and has not moved an inch since I placed him. He gets a lot of food in that spot plus a good chunk of fresh shrimp every 3 days when I spot feed the corals.

 

[Lavey29]

Your set up looks perfect almost to clean. I do not see any reason why you will not be successful with SPS if everything stays consistent. My set up is not as detailed as yours and only a year old. I added about 7 basic SPS frags, easier stylos, digi and acros and so far after 2 months everything shows signs of growth and color so you should be fine with yours.

 

[Ricox]

Tank looks great as well! FTS?

 

[Steve2020]

Tank looks great as well! FTS?

Unfortunately no FTS due to I get a ghost reflection from the sliding door blinds. I will see if I can take one tomorrow morning before the sun comes up.

 

[Steve2020]

Your set up looks perfect almost to clean. I do not see any reason why you will not be successful with SPS if everything stays consistent. My set up is not as detailed as yours and only a year old. I added about 7 basic SPS frags, easier stylos, digi and acros and so far after 2 months everything shows signs of growth and color so you should be fine with yours.

Tank has been up for 16mo and have NEVER had an algae issue. In fact the issue I do have is some of my bigger snails have died due to starvation. Lots of babies though and a big population of Copepods. I have to feed my 7 inch Mimic Powder Brown nori twice a day to keep him healthy plus the meaty foods he just loves. He is a pig. Not sure why no algae. Maybe my UV is working to good. I do have nutrients as you can see from the tank data I posted.

 

[frankny]

beautiful tank! crystal clear water with healthy colorful corals! keep it up.

 

[Steve2020]

beautiful tank! crystal clear water with healthy colorful corals! keep it up.

Thank you frankny. It has been a fun retirement hobby so far.

 

[homer1475]

Thank you frankny. It has been a fun retirement hobby so far.

If you want it to remain a fun hobby, forget about SPS. Stick to LPS and softies.

 

[Steve2020]

If you want it to remain a fun hobby, forget about SPS. Stick to LPS and softies.

Was that a sarcastic or honest comment? Read your build thread and see you had some nasty issues in the past and I guess I can understand why the comment. I will take it under consideration.

 

[Steve2020]

Tank looks great as well! FTS?

Here is the FTS you asked for. Lights are still ramping up and inhabitants are not fully awake yet.

 

[Gungo]

Thank looks healthy. Your SPS will do just fine. Great setup!

 

[Steve2020]

Thank looks healthy. Your SPS will do just fine. Great setup!

Thank you. I move my Indo Torch from quarantine to main display today so I think I will head to Reef Collective and see what they have for SPS in stock.

 

[New Wave Aquaria]

I would recommend getting a baseline PAR reading at the top of the rockwork to see where it sits. That way you can best decide what type of SPS you can put there as different types will have different lighting requirements. Some do best in 200, others like 400-500+. We have PAR meters that you can rent here at the store.

As far as whether you're ready for SPS, judging from how well you take care of the tank, I think you will do just fine (just as long as you're giving them the proper lighting). Also the single most important thing with success with sticks is having stable water parameters. So just make sure you're testing your Alkalinity and Calcium to make sure they stay somewhat consistent.

 

[Lavey29]

How did you attach the GSP to your back wall?

 

[Steve2020]

How did you attach the GSP to your back wall?

In the photo the lower left hand corner section that is heart shaped and raised a little is the piece I started with. What I did was spread on some BRS Extra Thick Gel Super Glue on the GSP and sprayed it with Quick Set to make it hard quick. Then I put on some more glue and stuck it on the back and then over time it spread and attached itself to the glass. The one mistake I made was not to put it lower on the glass because it will only spread up and outwards towards light. I plan on cutting out the original piece and placing lower on the glass some day. My tank is double euro braced and the brace is dark so the GSP stops growing upwards about 3 inches below water line. I have trimmed it a few times already and gave some to some local reefers. Easy to peel off the glass.

 

[Jubei2006]

The mitras lights are pretty strong. Was worried about them not being adequate over my tank, but things have grown in well, and sps such as montiporas and green birdsnest have started growing rapidly and coloring in under them. My tank is 72x48x30 and i run 4x 7206 and 2x 7204s.

 

[Steve2020]

The mitras lights are pretty strong. Was worried about them not being adequate over my tank, but things have grown in well, and sps such as montiporas and green birdsnest have started growing rapidly and coloring in under them. My tank is 72x48x30 and i run 4x 7206 and 2x 7204s.

Yes they are strong but better yet I really like the spread. I measured every 6 inches across the top of my rockscape and at 30% intensity and 19.490K spectrum my par is at 225-250 give or take a few par. Across the bottom minus the corners I am at 120 par and 85 par in the far corners.

 

[Steve2020]

I would recommend getting a baseline PAR reading at the top of the rockwork to see where it sits. That way you can best decide what type of SPS you can put there as different types will have different lighting requirements. Some do best in 200, others like 400-500+. We have PAR meters that you can rent here at the store.

As far as whether you're ready for SPS, judging from how well you take care of the tank, I think you will do just fine (just as long as you're giving them the proper lighting). Also the single most important thing with success with sticks is having stable water parameters. So just make sure you're testing your Alkalinity and Calcium to make sure they stay somewhat consistent.

Thanks for the info. I have always wanted to check out your shop since you are only 40min away. You have some nice corals on the website. I have some questions but I think I am just going to call you instead.