Whats the easiest SPS to maintain since I have mostly LPS in my tank? is there anyone out there having a hard time keeping a mix reef? what should i keep my parameters at? since SPS need more pristine water. thx
Mixed Reef
- Thread starter ryecoon
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DSP
Valuable Member
Try out Montipora digitata that's the best sps to start with imo, And sps grow and color up better with a little bit of nitrate imo so keep the nitrates between 5-10 and your sps and Lps will be happy.
DSP
Valuable Member
To be honest I dont know to much about the kessil leds as far as there specs and everything so I'll let somebody else that has used them help ya out there, Goodluck with the sps!
DSP
Valuable Member
I have always been a halide guy but recently switched to the new Radion Gen 3 pro for my new build, You can't go wrong with a halide there the best imo, I'm liking the radion so far but it's way to early to tell if it competes with the halide.
cmaxwell39
Valuable Member
Other good "easy" SPS corals would be Birdnest, other Montis, and stylos. I personally have had trouble in the past maintaining LPS and SPS in the same tank. For me the problem was keeping everything happy flow wise. Others have done it very well, so it can definitely be done, I have just struggled with keeping both LPS and SPS happy in the same tank.
cmaxwell39
Valuable Member
LPS, especially those with long flowing tentacles, or large fleshy polyps do not tend to like a lot of flow. SPS on the other had tend to be addicted to flow and it seems like you can almost never have to much for them.
Flow is just one area where these corals differ. SPS tend to like cleaner water, and phosphates are especially important to keep low. LPS tend to not be so picky on the water quality, and I have found that they will actually suffer if you get the water "too clean". And then there is the whole lighting issue.
Obviously there are many successful mixed reef tanks out there, and I commend those who have pulled it off. Some of my favorite tanks to look at are mixed reefs.
One other thing to keep in mind with SPS is that they seem to be especially sensitive to chemical warfare. If you have any leathers or other corals that fight for space on the reef by releasing toxins into the water to negatively affect their neighbors make sure that you run GAC on a regular basis.
SPS corals can be very addicting. Good luck in your venture into this area of our hobby.
Flow is just one area where these corals differ. SPS tend to like cleaner water, and phosphates are especially important to keep low. LPS tend to not be so picky on the water quality, and I have found that they will actually suffer if you get the water "too clean". And then there is the whole lighting issue.
Obviously there are many successful mixed reef tanks out there, and I commend those who have pulled it off. Some of my favorite tanks to look at are mixed reefs.
One other thing to keep in mind with SPS is that they seem to be especially sensitive to chemical warfare. If you have any leathers or other corals that fight for space on the reef by releasing toxins into the water to negatively affect their neighbors make sure that you run GAC on a regular basis.
SPS corals can be very addicting. Good luck in your venture into this area of our hobby.
Ok. One more question regarding filtration and maintaining water parameters for mixed reef.
Is it ideal to run chemi-pure or active carbon Since it removes phosphates? I need a little bit of phospates and nitrates for the lps but sps hate it right? so is it better to have pristine water if i have an lps dominant tank? I removed my hob mechanical filter because i was told it was useless for a reef tank. I currently run a hob refugium and protein skimmer only. should i still use chemi pure and put into the output chamber of the hob refugium?
Also, can you give me advice on 3 part dosers and calcium reactors? Is it a must have for a mixed reef?
Is it ideal to run chemi-pure or active carbon Since it removes phosphates? I need a little bit of phospates and nitrates for the lps but sps hate it right? so is it better to have pristine water if i have an lps dominant tank? I removed my hob mechanical filter because i was told it was useless for a reef tank. I currently run a hob refugium and protein skimmer only. should i still use chemi pure and put into the output chamber of the hob refugium?
Also, can you give me advice on 3 part dosers and calcium reactors? Is it a must have for a mixed reef?
Palting
Active Member
Just to clarify, GFO and the GFO in Chemipure Elite remove phosphates. Both chemipure and carbon remove toxins and impurities but not phosphates specifically.
Chemical coral warfare is a part of life in a mixed reef, so I use carbon 24/7. There are some negatives to using carbon, but the positives far outweigh them, IMO. It's a question of balance, and what's right for your specific tank.
Early in the life of the mixed reef, the demands for calcium, alk, and magnesium are not that high. Using a high quality salt and routine water changes will more than be able to keep up with consumption. With weekly 10% water changes using Reef Crystals, it was 18 months before I needed to dose. You can check my tank out by clicking on my avatar to get to my home page.
That gives you a lot of time to research on dosing and dosing techniques before you actually need them.
Chemical coral warfare is a part of life in a mixed reef, so I use carbon 24/7. There are some negatives to using carbon, but the positives far outweigh them, IMO. It's a question of balance, and what's right for your specific tank.
Early in the life of the mixed reef, the demands for calcium, alk, and magnesium are not that high. Using a high quality salt and routine water changes will more than be able to keep up with consumption. With weekly 10% water changes using Reef Crystals, it was 18 months before I needed to dose. You can check my tank out by clicking on my avatar to get to my home page.
That gives you a lot of time to research on dosing and dosing techniques before you actually need them.
