New SPS owner, tips please!

[NS Mike D]

Check out reef of the month thread (joe) - he has an awesome sps tank, and has great advice on things like flow, parameters, lighting etc.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/r2r-reef-of-the-month-joes-270-gallon-sps-reef-march-2018.364133/

why is flow important? sps, like other corals, secrete a mucus membrane. The zooxanthellae do not use CO2 for photosynthesis. rather there is a two step process that uses carbon from other sources, especially alkalinity, so flow helps flush the mucus away so that the carbon exchanges can take place. too much flow or constant flow from one direction on the other hand isn'y good.

As for parameters test often and dose as needed until you are satisfied your parameters are stable.

heed joes advice:

"I state over and over to reefers: “The key to reef success is to keep your hands out of the tank.” Tinker with things to get them running and then let the tank be, it will reward you."

 

[ndrwater]

Dipping coral, regardless of the source, is ALWAYS a good idea. Many a reefer has ended up with things like Acropora eating flatworms (AEFW), Monti eating Nudibranches, or other potentially disastrous hitchikers by not dipping.

 

[Reefbuds]

Does everyone think LED alone will be sufficient? Corals will be about 6 inches from light source so fairly close to the top. If not should I slowly introduce T5 as well?
Also, how can I tell if the lighting is sufficient or not, with LPS and carpet nem it is easy, polyps extended and happy, is this also the case for across?
Thanks!
Really, how can I tell if these guys are happy or not?

 

[ndrwater]

Most LED systems today are absolutely sufficient on their own to keep SPS. Many of the complaints regarding LEDs are regarding shading which is why some people choose to supplement with T5. Most LED systems are more likely to cause burning/bleaching than problems from lack of power, which is why everyone is talking about acclimating to your lights slowly.

 

[erky]

what led is it and you might want to put the corals lower in the tank before blasting them with light

 

[erky]

Two 3 inch branching and bushy acros

most are branching and bushy, where did you order from, if you get us their names we can help more.

 

[BoomCorals]

What species or name corals did you get? Do you have pics from wherever you got them? This is important.

 

[Reefbuds]

What species or name corals did you get? Do you have pics from wherever you got them? This is important.

Maricultured acros from indo, live aquaria, one was red skeleton with purple polyps. Other was yellow with green polyps, I tried finding pictures but they have already been taken down as they were purchased from divers den

 

[Reefbuds]

most are branching and bushy, where did you order from, if you get us their names we can help more.

^^

 

[Reefbuds]

what led is it and you might want to put the corals lower in the tank before blasting them with light

Current marine. It has been sufficient for LPS and a Haddons Carpet which reside on the bottom of a 24" deep reef. Acros will be placed on up 1/3 of the tank.

 

[BoomCorals]

Maricultured acros from indo, live aquaria, one was red skeleton with purple polyps. Other was yellow with green polyps, I tried finding pictures but they have already been taken down as they were purchased from divers den

Ok you have a rough go ahead of you then. Maricultured pieces are more difficult and not a good one for people new to SPS. Mariculture pieces by nature you have to expect that some will die. They are going to turn colors (mostly to green or brown in most cases) and then can regain different colors later. I suggest you remove the bases, dip them, inspect for pests such as AEFW, bite marks, etc. Then put them into your QT system (if you have one, hopefully!) and keep them lower in the tank but still with HIGH flow. Stability in parameters after that is key - do you have coralline algae growing all over the tank?

 

[Reefbuds]

Ok you have a rough go ahead of you then. Maricultured pieces are more difficult and not a good one for people new to SPS. Mariculture pieces by nature you have to expect that some will die. They are going to turn colors (mostly to green or brown in most cases) and then can regain different colors later. I suggest you remove the bases, dip them, inspect for pests such as AEFW, bite marks, etc. Then put them into your QT system (if you have one, hopefully!) and keep them lower in the tank but still with HIGH flow. Stability in parameters after that is key - do you have coralline algae growing all over the tank?

Yes coralline growth is very healthy. I also have 2 acros crabs coming with to help acclamation.

 

[BoomCorals]

Yes coralline growth is very healthy. I also have 2 acros crabs coming with to help acclamation.

The crabs won't really help with acclimation. I wouldn't put the acro crabs into them right away.

 

[BubbleGuppies]

SPS placement (high, low, indirect current) is crucial as well

 

[Reefbuds]

Ok they just arrived nice and beautiful. One is across parillis and the other acropora millepora.

 

[Steve1500]

I’ve Got about 20 corals in QT right now. Mushrooms, LPS, zoas and a few Montis. Some Will be there for 76 days others for 45 days. Questions : When I transfer them to my display tank do I need to dip them again? Or just acclimate? Do I need to acclimate them to the display light ( T5 and Radion LED) since they already had LED (orbit)lighting in the QT?

Thanks
Steve

 

[Brett newell]

Steve, I'm paranoid so....yes I dip before and after qt and also during. I set up 5 bowls of water. First is tank water, then coral rx, then tank water dip, then seachem reef dip (the iodine one), then a good rinse in the last bowl and into the tank it goes, or into qt if that's the step.

 

[Brett newell]

As for lighting, I've had success with just a fast acclamation. I put them on the sand for 2 to 4 days depending on my work schedule. Then I'll move it up to a max of halfway. Any higher than that and I'll give it a few days at half way. I have zoo med coral sun t8 on qt and mars aqua led on dt

 

[Reefbuds]

Ok guys both acros went through 5 hours of acclamation and each have their own acros crab. What signs of distress should I look out for in the next few days/weeks to come?

 

[BoomCorals]

5 hours? What did you do to acclimate?