Am I ready?

[Tyler Bullock]

Hello all,

I have finally reached my 4 month mark on my tank. My tank is a 90 Marineland with a Trigger system 36 sump. Protein skimmer. 2 reactors for carbon and GFO if needed. Aquatic life t5 blue + and actinic with 2 AI Primes. Will probably go to 4 prime in the future. I haven't checked my Par yet. I plan on renting one from BRS to see if I should go with 2 more primes.

Salinity = 34.6
N03 = 5-10
P04 = .06
DKH = 9.1

Am I ready for my SPS dream?

Mainly wanting acros with some montis.

I see coraline algae. I do my water changes every other week.

Let me know what you think!

 

[Snookin]

2 AI Primes probably not enough lighting. Check PAR before buying any SPS.

 

[Auquanut]

I might be jumping the gun, but you might try montipora digitata or a green slimer. The slimer is a very forgiving acro, and might help you test the waters so to speak. Just keep in mind that when you start keeping stoneys, your alkalinity and calcium consumption will increase.

 

[Tyler Bullock]

I do plan on testing par. I have been watching this


Its the BRS t5 hybrid.

They were getting 300-450 at 6 inches down. and about 200 at 18 inches down. I do have mine slightly raised up for better spread.

That being said I still will test.

Would you say my par is the last piece of the puzzle before I jump in and purchase some sps?

 

[Snookin]

I do plan on testing par. I have been watching this


Its the BRS t5 hybrid.

They were getting 300-450 at 6 inches down. and about 200 at 18 inches down. I do have mine slightly raised up for better spread.

That being said I still will test.

Would you say my par is the last piece of the puzzle before I jump in and purchase some sps?

On the surface: Yes, your tank is probably ready for some easier SPS corals to begin with as long as PAR is ok. I don’t think it will be on a 90g with just 2 Primes.

Also, what live stock do you currently have and what are your plans for supplemental dosing once the SPS corals start to consume ALK, Ca, Mag?
Flow too...what type of flow do you have going on?

 

[5280Reefer]

wont hurt to try! throw in a monti or a green slimmer aka some cheap sps frags. But my thought is once i see sponges in a new reef tank then i can try some sps

 

[Tyler Bullock]

Also, what live stock do you currently have and what are your plans for supplemental dosing once the SPS corals start to consume ALK, Ca, Mag?
Flow too...what type of flow do you have going on?

2 clowns, 5 chromies, 2 lyertail anthias, tomini tang, one spot foxface. I dont plan on adding anymore fish unless i get another anthia.

I'll be dosing BRS 2 part, and acro power. to start.

For flow I have 2 mp40's and a Jaebo something or other in the back bottom so no detritus or anything will get stuck back behind the rocks. Right now the 40's are set to Reef Crest at 70%. Once I invest in an apex I'll set up some more controlled flow.

I have almost everything to test on hand and with the tank being fwolr my dkh doesn't move hardly at all.

 

[Skibum]

I'd say yes. But I would find a free frag of capricornis and some stylophora. If you can get those to grow... I also second the opinion on the par meter though. I wish I had done that when I started my system.

 

[Snookin]

2 clowns, 5 chromies, 2 lyertail anthias, tomini tang, one spot foxface. I dont plan on adding anymore fish unless i get another anthia.

I'll be dosing BRS 2 part, and acro power. to start.

For flow I have 2 mp40's and a Jaebo something or other in the back bottom so no detritus or anything will get stuck back behind the rocks. Right now the 40's are set to Reef Crest at 70%. Once I invest in an apex I'll set up some more controlled flow.

I have almost everything to test on hand and with the tank being fwolr my dkh doesn't move hardly at all.

Did you start with Dry or Live rock?

 

[Snookin]

2 clowns, 5 chromies, 2 lyertail anthias, tomini tang, one spot foxface. I dont plan on adding anymore fish unless i get another anthia.

I'll be dosing BRS 2 part, and acro power. to start.

For flow I have 2 mp40's and a Jaebo something or other in the back bottom so no detritus or anything will get stuck back behind the rocks. Right now the 40's are set to Reef Crest at 70%. Once I invest in an apex I'll set up some more controlled flow.

I have almost everything to test on hand and with the tank being fwolr my dkh doesn't move hardly at all.

Overall it seems you have done your homework and have quality equipment. I’d say there is no reason from what you have shared that you shouldn’t be able to keep SPS as long as you keep your parameters stable and you stay on top of maintenance.

 

[Tyler Bullock]

Did you start with Dry or Live rock?

Dry rock. I've pretty much been following BRS's hybrid WWC build sine I started my build shortly after they did theirs.

I also second the opinion on the par meter though. I wish I had done that when I started my system.

Yes, i plan on renting one either this week or the next.

 

[Snookin]

Did you start with Dry or Live rock?

Only reason I ask this is if Live rock you could have a low chance of a pest you haven’t identified yet that may eat your new SPS.

 

[Tyler Bullock]

Yes, all the fish were QT'd. and the only thing in there is snails, a cleaner shrimp, and fish with rock. Everything was new. Nothing has been used in a build before this.

 

[TexasTodd]

What are your phosphate and nitrate levels? RODI right?
Not much of an investment to try a slimer and a cap.

 

[Tyler Bullock]

What are your phosphate and nitrate levels? RODI right?
Not much of an investment to try a slimer and a cap.

Salinity = 34.6
N03 = 5-10
P04 = .06
DKH = 9.1

Yes I use RODI.

 

[PatW]

I would suggest starting with easier SPS like montipora, stylophora and birds nests. If you get some of them going, try some easy acropora.

 

[DivingTheWorld]

I know people will disagree with me, but I wouldn't suggest acros until at least the 1-1.5 year mark, especially since you started with dry rock. If you do try to test the waters, get cheap ones so you won't feel bad if they don't make it. IMO reef tanks need to mature before they can reliably handle acros and IMO that's at the 1-1.5 year mark.

Until then, try some montis or birdsnest. Those are good sps to try out on a new tank.

 

[Tyler Bullock]

I just put in an order to rent a par meter. Once I see my levels I'll post them on this thread. I also need to start my build thread soon.

 

[W1ngz]

Par meter will help, but I also see all the people saying only 2 primes isn't enough, and wonder if they read your whole post thoroughly. If you find you have low par, I would consider replacing the T5 actinics with other bulb types that put out more light before spending extra cash on doubling the LED part of your hybrid.

If you want full SPS wall to wall, then something with a higher wattage than the AI Primes would possibly be a better choice.

 

[Tyler Bullock]

Par meter will help, but I also see all the people saying only 2 primes isn't enough, and wonder if they read your whole post thoroughly.

I'm not 100% sure they did.