What is your coral setup, specifically around sps?

[Biff0rz]

With the increase of white bugs (and having to use interceptor), I want to rid my corals of these bugs before they enter my system as most vendors and sellers unknowingly have them. I recently treated my tank with high dose interceptor and it was super expensive to do so. 6 large tablets for 8 weeks adds up. So, as they say, an ounce of prevention...

I’m looking to establish a dedicated quarantine tank specifically for SPS corals, as that’s what I primarily have in my display, and I don’t intend to introduce any more softies or LPS. However, I’m unsure about the necessary level or sophistication of a setup I need to ensure a successful QT for SPS.

I’d love to see your QT setup and learn about your process for SPS. I’m particularly interested in your lighting, water flow, dosing methods, and how you maintain stability for SPS during quarantine. What equipment do you use, such as controllers, dosers, or anything else? Additionally, I’d like to know about your procedures—do you use dips or in-tank treatments before moving them to the display? How long do you keep them in QT before transferring them? I’ve come across various answers regarding coral QT on this site, but most of it seems geared towards beginners and more resilient corals like softies and LPS.

 

[BristleWormHater]

Coral qt isnt very common, most people just dip upon arrival. But if you are consistently getting white bugs or other pest that are resistant to regular coral dips, id suggest switching vendors, if you haven't already. These guys can help you out more
@tbrown @Slocke @Fish Styx @Goaway
@billyocean

 

[Lavey29]

Why would a coral vendor have pests in his frag tank destroying his income?

 

[Goaway]

I never set up a qt for sps. But, i did set up a hospital for a couple of anemones getting sick.


Never cheap out on lighting. Plenty of cheap wave makers out there.

Idealy, you'll be setting up a mini reef until you can see everything is clean

@billyocean might be a pretty good tag on sps qt setup.

 

[tbrown]

Why would a coral vendor have pests in his frag tank destroying his income?

Lots of vendors are more of a chop shop setup than a coral farm. They dip, cut, glue, and sell often leaving eggs and some unseen pests. If the coral isn't in the system long term they either may not realize they have them or not care because it doesn't affect them.

 

[Fish Styx]

With the increase of white bugs (and having to use interceptor), I want to rid my corals of these bugs before they enter my system as most vendors and sellers unknowingly have them. I recently treated my tank with high dose interceptor and it was super expensive to do so. 6 large tablets for 8 weeks adds up. So, as they say, an ounce of prevention...

I’m looking to establish a dedicated quarantine tank specifically for SPS corals, as that’s what I primarily have in my display, and I don’t intend to introduce any more softies or LPS. However, I’m unsure about the necessary level or sophistication of a setup I need to ensure a successful QT for SPS.

I’d love to see your QT setup and learn about your process for SPS. I’m particularly interested in your lighting, water flow, dosing methods, and how you maintain stability for SPS during quarantine. What equipment do you use, such as controllers, dosers, or anything else? Additionally, I’d like to know about your procedures—do you use dips or in-tank treatments before moving them to the display? How long do you keep them in QT before transferring them? I’ve come across various answers regarding coral QT on this site, but most of it seems geared towards beginners and more resilient corals like softies and LPS.

You'd essentially want a dedicated frag tank.

As for the biosecurity piece, in the words of Charles Barkley, "I'm not a role model". I dip new arrivals in potassium chloride, observe, then rack 'em. If I don't know or trust the vendor, I cut them off the plug and either remount them, or mount them directly to the scape.

I also employ pest predators (i.e. wrasses) and dose KZ Flatworm Stop via doser as part of my regimen. Zero pest problems.

 

[tbrown]

You'd essentially want a dedicated frag tank.

As for the biosecurity piece, in the words of Charles Barkley, "I'm not a role model". I dip new arrivals in potassium chloride, observe, then rack 'em. If I don't know or trust the vendor, I cut them off the plug and either remount them, or mount them directly to the scape.

I also employ pest predators (i.e. wrasses) and dose KZ Flatworm Stop via doser as part of my regimen. Zero pest problems.

Wasn't that Rodman?

 

[Lavey29]

Lots of vendors are more of a chop shop setup than a coral farm. They dip, cut, glue, and sell often leaving eggs and some unseen pests. If the coral isn't in the system long term they either may not realize they have them or not care because it doesn't affect them.

Not my vendors but yes I'm sure there are petco coral vendors out there.

 

[billyocean]

I don't qt but it's the best way. As mentioned above just treat it as a frag tank so to speak but a qt before dt. You can use your dt waterchange water for the qt..or dose it accordingly as a standalone. Obviously you wouldn't want it plumbed to the dt. My method is remove from plug and remove putty/glue...KCl, rinse, coral bubblebath, rinse, then thoroughly inspect under led microscope for any eggs and what nots. With the frags in a container with water you can take your time inspecting

 

[Goaway]

KZ Flatworm Stop

Interesting read. I might consider this if I get more into acros. I am still more of an lps person because of life. I do not do a lot of water changes. You'd be surprised, my last water change was probably a YEAR ago. >.>

Acropora love water changes.

 

[VintageReefer]

Interesting read. I might consider this if I get more into acros. I am still more of an lps person because of life. I do not do a lot of water changes. You'd be surprised, my last water change was probably a YEAR ago. >.>

Acropora love water changes.

 

[Fish Styx]

Got room in there for me?

 

[billyocean]

Got room in there for me?

He doesn't do them either..lol

 

[Fish Styx]

He doesn't do them either..lol

I'm more like every 2 weeks these days. I guess I'll just hang outside the box for now.

 

[billyocean]

I'm more like every 2 weeks these days. I guess I'll just hang outside the box for now.

Only reason I stopped was because of cost on a bug tank vs doing monshiners. But...still do small one for sand siphon every month or so. WC is a fine way to run a tank.

 

[VintageReefer]

He doesn't do them either..lol

Shhhhh

 

[Fish Styx]

Only reason I stopped was because of cost on a bug tank vs doing monshiners. But...still do small one for sand siphon every month or so. WC is a fine way to run a tank.

Agreed. I run a hybrid zeo, but still like WCs to aid with export and sand siphoning.

Old school Berlin, baby. Skimmer, chaeto, and WCs. Still effective.

 

[VintageReefer]

Hi my name is VR and it’s been probably a decade since waters been formally changed in my 75g tank. I replace water i take out, probably 5g total annually

I have not manually cleaned my sand in 10+ years

 

[jackson6745]

I have a 25g waterbox with a radion xr-30 blue, aquamax skimmer, tunze ato, 2xnero 3, dose all 4 reef on a kamoer dosing head. 3. This tank gets milbemycin doses and fed fenbendazole flakes regularly. I keep
New frags in there for 6 weeks or more before giving them a dip for good measure, then introducing them into my larger sps system.

The 25 is nothing fancy but grows and colors acros very well and is very stable.

 

[billyocean]

Hi my name is VR and it’s been probably a decade since waters been formally changed in my 75g tank. I replace water i take out, probably 5g total annually

I have not manually cleaned my sand in 10+ years

Should also state that the coral you keep can appreciate that as well. Finicky things like higher end acros can make that much more difficult to sustain.