Acropora- What Does It Really Take To Succeed?

[Rmckoy]

Again, I appreciate the response. I guess my question is mainly surrounding the equipment needed to potentially be successful at SPS when setting up a new tank. For example, I went ahead and purchased a GHL doser fully expecting to dose to keep some parameters consistent and I may go with Reef Moonshiners to supplement that.

So, equipment-wise, beyond a doser, temp controller and maybe a reactor, is there anything else I may need to keep these parameters consistent? In other words, I want to have the ability to keep things consistent right off the bar gear-wise even though it may be a while before I need to utilize it.

From the start ...
stability will be hard ..
Before any system reaches maturity is somewhere around 6 months to a year old .
That being said ..
Unless you add a bunch of colonies and seed your system with a lot of Coraline I don’t see a need for dosing from the start

 

[zukihara]

So, Do NOT let me setup this tank without appropriate SPS gear
Specs:

80g 32x24x24
Versa M2 return
1x MP40
2x Radion XR15 G5
Eshopps Alpha 100 Sump
Reef Octopus Essenence skimmer
GHL 2.1 SA4 doser
Avast carbon reactor
25w UV


I don't mind adjusting for months to achieve greatness, I just don't want to forget something right off the bat.

 

[zukihara]

From the start ...
stability will be hard ..
Before any system reaches maturity is somewhere around 6 months to a year old .
That being said ..
Unless you add a bunch of colonies and seed your system with a lot of Coraline I don’t see a need for dosing from the start

Sorry, yes, I have the doser, but I do not mean i will be dosing from day 1

 

[Mellotang]

ATO
Test kits
refractometer

 

[Mellotang]

Books

 

[Mellotang]

This one is still Pretty relevant

 

[zukihara]

Lol

unfortunately you’re far from ready with an empty tank

it takes a long time to get the biological balance

not saying you can’t get lucky and keep
Some SPS but if you’re looking for
A rock solid stable reef that takes time

doesn’t matter what equipment you have if you’re tank isn’t biologically sound

mixed reef is slightly harder then a dedicated SPS or LPS or softie tank

every coral Likes things a little different

only bad things happen quick
In a reef

is this your first saltwater aquarium?

Nope, not my first reef. I am not trying to rush the process. I am NOT trying to rush the process. You say it does not matter what equipment I have to get biologically sound?

 

[Mellotang]

Equipment does not create biological
Diversity and stability

 

[Mellotang]

How could it?

Nature does that

 

[Sippiku]

@zukihara I would suggest checking out BRS and Coral Euphoria on YouTube. Their videos will answer your questions. Good luck!

 

[zukihara]

Equipment does not create biological
Diversity and stability

I am all ears to hear you describe what does.

 

[X-37B]

The best advice I can give is that you need a complete understanding of what it takes to manage a reef tank before you begin.
Have a plan and all equipment before you add water.
Setting up your system and buying equipment as you go is not a plan!
Have a range of the parameters you want to run and stick with it.
Strive to keep all parameters in your desired range.
Example I run.
Temp 78-81
SG 1.026+-.0005
Alk 7-7.5
Ca 420-450
Mag 1300-1350
ST 8-10
K 400-420
Po4 .02-.08
No3 5-10
If you setup a WC system be consistant.
50% live 50% caribsea is what I started with. Started adding coral at 1 month and have not looked back. Had almost no cycle.
Have extras of everything on hand before you have a breakdown.
Establish your testing routine and stick to it.
For me this is the basics.

 

[zukihara]

The best advice I can give is that you need a complete understanding of what it takes to manage a reef tank before you begin.
Have a plan and all equipment before you add water.
Setting up your system and buying equipment as you go is not a plan!

This is the crux of my post. I planned my equipment and I am not just adding as I go. Part of that is to ask, HEY, am I missing anything?

 

[Mellotang]

Bio diversity is achieved through live rock,
different bacteria supplements, maybe get some sand from An established reef, fish, fish poop, patience

sponge growth is a big indicator of bio diversity

it tough to achieve bio Diversity but just adding dry rock

 

[Acros]

How do you know when your tank is mature?

All parameters will stabilize way before the reef is mature.

Most important gear : patience.

 

[zukihara]

Hey, I am enjoying the hell out of the comments here and I hope for more...

@Randy Holmes-Farley

 

[Mellotang]

Personally i Like a big ol Refugium w/ a deep
Sand bed but im Old school n stubborn

 

[Jon's Reef]

80g 32x24x24
Versa M2 return
1x MP40
2x Radion XR15 G5
Eshopps Alpha 100 Sump
Reef Octopus Essenence skimmer
GHL 2.1 SA4 doser
Avast carbon reactor
25w UV

Second MP40 to make more diverse flow

A controller like APEX with Trident helps alot (or GHL with KH director.... or something with an alkatronic)

A strong Fuge light (Kessil H160 or H380)

 

[rckfsh44]

My 80g mixed reef gets wet next week and I want to eventually get some Acropora thriving in there.

My question is, other than sufficient lighting (I'm using XR15 Gen5 blue Radions), what does it really take? Dosing to keep parameters more consistent? Trace elements? Skimming? What is it that allows you guys to grow and color these things up in awe inspiring systems?

I don't want to spend a small fortune on Battlecorals then fail miserably. I need a mentor... volunteers send application via PM, please

There’s a book out titled Reef Aquariums for Dummies . No lie it’s a great book I’ve kept mine for 15 years it will answer all of your questions about reefing

 

[ReefBeta]

For acro to color up crazy

Again, I appreciate the response. I guess my question is mainly surrounding the equipment needed to potentially be successful at SPS when setting up a new tank. For example, I went ahead and purchased a GHL doser fully expecting to dose to keep some parameters consistent and I may go with Reef Moonshiners to supplement that.

So, equipment-wise, beyond a doser, temp controller and maybe a reactor, is there anything else I may need to keep these parameters consistent? In other words, I want to have the ability to keep things consistent right off the bar gear-wise even though it may be a while before I need to utilize it.

Dosers and a alk Hanna checker will be the essentials. Also a good calcium test kit. An auto alk tester like Alkatronic will help even further, but not a requirement, but a convenience. Test often at the beginning to dial in the dosage is the key.