Being Confident With SPS (SPS SWAGGER)

[hart24601]

I agree it comes with time. Growing out frags to colonies, coloring up LFS finds and such. Also realizing that sometimes they just die, don't stress, don't over react. You figure out when they look happy and when they don't and sometimes even when looking happy you might lose one. It's all good, they are fussy.

Is it swagger that my initial stocking of my new cube is all SPS and mostly acros in a brand new tank after cycle? Haha.

 

[Ashish Patel]

No swag yet but hopefully in a few years!!! For now I focus on making good purchase, understanding species, testing and adjusting, ideal placement, finding right balance with chemistry, provide ideal turbulent random flow, and ideal duration of light and intensity. Even with that I still have no confident.... If having SPS swag was easy, everyone would have it

 

[Reefer40b]

My system as it is has been running since Sept 2016, I have all the right equipment, combo lighting Kessil AP700s and T5s, Kalk dosing, maintain and test almost everyday. I have APEX Gold, big 10" skimmer (STO-5000) with Avast neck cleaner, 3 each Marine Pure blocks. 6 stage RODI with water saver, test for chlorine every week, always 000TDS. 55 gallon water changes every week. Just got rid of all Aiptasia, no pests as I eliminated AEFW and monti eating nudis before the tank move in Aug 16. Some bryopsis but I'll be curing that next week. Large and great looking BRS Pukani rock aged >1 year, use the best media (BRS ROX carbon and HC GFO when needed. Feed the best quality foods I can find (Hikari and NLS pellets, Nori, PE mysis, other frozen foods). I also feed occasionally BRS Reef chili or other SPS foods. Fish are fat and happy.

I have over 50 acro frags a few small colonies. Better than 90% survival rate for acros and SPS, all others 100%. Dip everything with Bayer.

I feel confident I can keep any SPS alive right now but my problem is growth, not color. I solved my pale colors with potassium nitrate (~10ppm). PO4 is .05 via Hanna ULR Phosphorus checker. ALK 10, Cal 465, Mag 1450, salinity 35 ppt. My system consumes Kalk and Mag only right now, ~4 gallons saturated Kalk everyday. Just reduced that to allow ALK to drop some.

I just feel like my corals are not growing like they should be. I have really great growth on Montis and a few acros but others seem stunted. I don't add a bunch of stuff, keep it simple with water changes and food. I don't really know why the growth seems slow-none.

Ideas? Please?

I would try to put a slow growing frag in a more high flow area and monitor growth for a couple months. If you think your lacking in flow, add some more powerheads for good random flow not direct. Lower your Alk just a little target 8.5-9dkh