snulma1
Community Member
Happy new years to all!
I have been in the hobby on and off for near 15 yrs, starting with a 55g and hang on sea clone (CLOWN!) skimmer for a FOWLR then migrating to a various assortment of reef tanks
However I have never been successful at keeping SPS, they either brown out, STN, or fail to grow.
I started back up with a new tank in April, a 60 gallon Waterbox Frag tank (I liked they idea of a shallower tank and closer to eye level while I'm working at my desk and for the kids to see @ eye level.
I started with approx 30 lbs of Carib sea life rock, and 30 lbs of carib sea live sand, cycled, and then added a trio of clownfish (from same brood, so they get along) at end of April, along with CUC of mixed hermits, astrea and ceriths.
I have a Reef Octopus skimmer, 2 MP40's for circulation, apex controller which also runs my ATO and monitors temp/pH/Salinity, 2 AI Hydra 32's mounted at 12" off water surface with a mesh/acrylic screen in place, 1 filter cup with floss and 1 filter sock, both changed every 3-4d.
My levels have been fairly consistent (testing via hanna, red sea, or spin test @ my LFS)
Temp: 78-79
Salinity: 1.024 - 1.026
pH: 7.9-8.1 (depending on if i'm in office and/or window open)
Ammonia/Nitrite: 0
Nitrate usually <2
Calcium 440-520
Alk: 7.2-8.5
Mag: 1250-2350
Phosphate: 0 - 0.2 (phosphate has always been a 0 on both Hanna LR and ULR Phos checkers, but on the API spin sometimes reads 0.2, I think theirs is off)
I feed every 3rd night with a combo of oyster eggs and ReefEnergy AB+, spot feeding each coral with a small amount of the mixture while all pumps are off, allowing 10-15 min for consumption before returning flow. The fish typically get pellets, 1-3x/day and only the amount they can consume
Currently many of my SPS (Mille's and Acro's) have some growth, but have lost most of their color becoming either dull or brown. My birdsnest died off, but it wasn't very healthy looking to begin with when I got it.
Here are some of the things I plan on changing to see if they will make a difference:
1. Reducing Photoperiod: I was running a photoperiod of sunrise @ 0800, ramp up for 1hr with most lights @ 70% (gave me a par of 275 @ top of rocks and 150 on sand), with sunset @ 0900, so it was a long photoperiod
2. Alk stability: Waiting to pick up a dos to try and zero in on my alk consumption and repletion on a more regular basis (also at night rather then during day when pH is already up). I use a solution of Baked baking soda in 1gal of RODI water
I'm wondering if this will help to give me the dream tank like I see many of you have, or if there is another suggestion that maybe I haven't thought of?
I have been in the hobby on and off for near 15 yrs, starting with a 55g and hang on sea clone (CLOWN!) skimmer for a FOWLR then migrating to a various assortment of reef tanks
However I have never been successful at keeping SPS, they either brown out, STN, or fail to grow.
I started back up with a new tank in April, a 60 gallon Waterbox Frag tank (I liked they idea of a shallower tank and closer to eye level while I'm working at my desk and for the kids to see @ eye level.
I started with approx 30 lbs of Carib sea life rock, and 30 lbs of carib sea live sand, cycled, and then added a trio of clownfish (from same brood, so they get along) at end of April, along with CUC of mixed hermits, astrea and ceriths.
I have a Reef Octopus skimmer, 2 MP40's for circulation, apex controller which also runs my ATO and monitors temp/pH/Salinity, 2 AI Hydra 32's mounted at 12" off water surface with a mesh/acrylic screen in place, 1 filter cup with floss and 1 filter sock, both changed every 3-4d.
My levels have been fairly consistent (testing via hanna, red sea, or spin test @ my LFS)
Temp: 78-79
Salinity: 1.024 - 1.026
pH: 7.9-8.1 (depending on if i'm in office and/or window open)
Ammonia/Nitrite: 0
Nitrate usually <2
Calcium 440-520
Alk: 7.2-8.5
Mag: 1250-2350
Phosphate: 0 - 0.2 (phosphate has always been a 0 on both Hanna LR and ULR Phos checkers, but on the API spin sometimes reads 0.2, I think theirs is off)
I feed every 3rd night with a combo of oyster eggs and ReefEnergy AB+, spot feeding each coral with a small amount of the mixture while all pumps are off, allowing 10-15 min for consumption before returning flow. The fish typically get pellets, 1-3x/day and only the amount they can consume
Currently many of my SPS (Mille's and Acro's) have some growth, but have lost most of their color becoming either dull or brown. My birdsnest died off, but it wasn't very healthy looking to begin with when I got it.
Here are some of the things I plan on changing to see if they will make a difference:
1. Reducing Photoperiod: I was running a photoperiod of sunrise @ 0800, ramp up for 1hr with most lights @ 70% (gave me a par of 275 @ top of rocks and 150 on sand), with sunset @ 0900, so it was a long photoperiod
2. Alk stability: Waiting to pick up a dos to try and zero in on my alk consumption and repletion on a more regular basis (also at night rather then during day when pH is already up). I use a solution of Baked baking soda in 1gal of RODI water
I'm wondering if this will help to give me the dream tank like I see many of you have, or if there is another suggestion that maybe I haven't thought of?
