New SPS Tank

[phish2277]

Hello,

I am looking for some assistance with setting up my new SPS tank. I have done some research but it seems there is still a few things that I might not have thought of when setting up my tank. I have had LPS for awhile and they do well so I have decided to jump into SPS. I am wondering if there is any specific equipment that I should ensure to have when setting up my tank. I have T5's and LED for lighting, Skimmer, Refugium, Doser and Reactor if needed. The tank is a Deep Blue 45 gal. Any information would be great.

Also how long does my tank need to be setup to ensure that it is mature before I start to introduce SPS? I will be taking live rock from my 30 gal nano and putting it in the 45 gal.

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

The common answer is a year.

 

[Gablami]

I don’t know if there is one common answer. I’ve seen answers that vary widely. Some tanks, inexplicable can grow amazing acros from day one, others take a couple years. Once parameters are stable (you’ll realize that all your test values aren’t changing as much over time) and you’ve got a healthy amount of coralline growing, drop in a frag every month or so and make sure it’s good. Once it starts to take off, your tank is “ready” for more acros.

 

[Greg79]

I’d definitely go bigger then 45 gal if possible

 

[phish2277]

Great. Thank you for the information. I will ensure my parameters are stable.

 

[Morecoral]

Take your time with it. 3-4 months at least. Read a lot. Get used to testing regularly. I test on Sunday, water change on Saturday, every week religiously. Just get into a routine. Buy quality test kits not api crap. You'll be successful

 

[SeaDweller]

Well...

Currently I am revamping my 240 and I set up a 60 gallon cube and stocked it with acros within a day. Grabbed LR from my current tank, 100% new water, and away I went. It did go thru a mini cycle though, not sure why but it did, but I have about 70 different frags sitting in there (worth ALOT) and I've only lost one mille.

So for me, I began right away, but I check parameters everyday until recently. I would never advocate anyone jumping in this fast and slow is the way to go. You just have to have a feel for your tank and what's going on with the big 3 parameters.

This was all about a little over a month ago btw

 

[jda]

Most people find acros a lot easier once the coralline starting to come in with a vengeance. This can be quick for some tanks and longer with others.

 

[phish2277]

That makes sense. I plan on taking my time and checking parameters daily.

 

[Bob Weigant]

I know people who have a love/hate relationship with their sps. Sometimes I do as well. Stability is a major key to success. I test my alk 3 times a week. Water change for the most part is weekly. Hopefully you can find some sps people where you live

 

[André Brasil]

Equipment that can be useful:

• Skimmer
• ATO
• Doser

Qualities that can be helpful:

• Patience
• Masochism
• Patience

 

[phish2277]

I figure I would have to check some of the parameters almost every other day or so especially if I’m adding coral.

I have an oversized skinner coming, already have ATO and doser.

 

[phish2277]

I have a 3 year old bio cube that i will be taking some of the rock out when I start up my new tank. The new tank is replacing the bio cube.

 

[André Brasil]

What i did was start by adding hardy SPS and see how they reacted. You can also decide to record your test results for a few weeks to check if they are staying consistent over that period.

 

[phish2277]

You bring up a good point Andre about hardy SPS. What are some hardy SPS?

 

[André Brasil]

Most care requirements associated with keeping SPS coral are in fact tailored for keeping Acropora corals. Most other SPS are not as hard. Some examples would be:

Pocillopora
Montipora
Hydnophora

 

[SeaDweller]

Most care requirements associated with keeping SPS coral are in fact tailored for keeping Acropora corals. Most other SPS are not as hard. Some examples would be:

Pocillopora
Montipora
Hydnophora

Don’t forget seriatopora, my favorite of the real “easy” sps.

 

[kles]

A year till tank is mature some you see coraline alage growing on the glass is good indication tank is stable enough. Dont rush it take you time nothing happens fast except disaster in reefing ! But sps has to be stable water parameters! Plan out what you want some sps will take over like monti caps use alot of room birdsnest most monti incrusting do to and once they start incrusting they will melt over rock work and will be a war of room who takes over the spots ! So plan out before you start.

 

[phish2277]

I see planning is key. My end goal is for corals like Walt Disney, Pink Floyd, etc. For most of my tank.

 

[André Brasil]

A good idea is treating your tank like it already had these SPS you want. If your confortable with these requirements early on, you'll be set when the tank matures to that level.