New to me

Reeflogic · Mar 17, 2016

Yash, a real Picasso. You sure painted a pretty picture with that post!!

Start with some easier SPS, birdsnest, etc. You could get them right now and see how they do. I wouldn't dump a bunch of cash into expensive SPS until you know you can grow the easier / cheaper ones!!

You could always grow out the birdsnest and trade them to @CastAway , he loves them.

Steve Dillon · Mar 18, 2016

Not sure I want to put any money in to sps.. but there are not to many high up lps corals.. scared im going to have a beautiful sand and middle rock but nothing up top..

BlueDevil · Mar 18, 2016

Reeflogic said:
Yash, a real Picasso. You sure painted a pretty picture with that post!!

Me? Picasso?? After seeing my current rock work a blind Picasso might be more appropriate

BlueDevil · Mar 18, 2016

Steve Dillon said:
How long is a good time to try sps? Its been up about 2 months.. I have only tried 2 sps in 7 years.. nitrates hold steady at 5 or just under.. (red sea) just wondering. I know there are a bunch more experienced sps people. .

There really isn't a set timeframe for when it is safe to get into SPS. That will pretty much be dictated by your tank parameters. Assuming all else is in place (tank cycled for a good bit, adequate lighting etc...) once your levels (Alk, Ca, Mg specifically) have stabilized, you should be good to go. NO3 at 5 shouldn't be an issue. What are your PO4 levels at?

I'm no expert at SPS (only been in the sticks for about 6 months now) but tank stability is of utmost important. Case in point - up until about 3 weeks back I was dosing Alk and Ca via an ATO (Kalk). My Alk would swing a fair bit, and my pH was all over the map. Ever since I switched to two-part, and the resulting stability it provided to the Alk and pH, the SPS growth has really taken off! New growth tips everywhere! So I can say through personal experience that parameter stability is key.

Steve Dillon · Mar 18, 2016

I haven't checked po4. I also use two part on that tank.. everything seems stable but I am moving corals from my bio cube every few day.. so I guess ill wait awhile

Steve Dillon · Mar 19, 2016

Finally got a good picture.. juvenile alantic blue tang

Steve Dillon · Mar 20, 2016

Finally moved the last of my corals over.. first time in 3 years the bio cube has been empty..

Steve Dillon · Mar 24, 2016

Pick up one more.. this one has more brown.. dosing pump going into service for alk tomorrow. .

Steve Dillon · Mar 25, 2016

Guess ill jinx myself but I tested today and nitrates still holding around 2 ppm.. dosing pump turned on just alittle fine running.. then I think im going to try sps again.

Reeflogic · Mar 25, 2016

Go for it Steve! You'll be fine!

Steve Dillon · Mar 25, 2016

Thanks. Probably next week.. I want to make sure no problems with dosing pump

Chriscrna · Mar 26, 2016

Go for it dude. There is plenty of birds nest floating around the club that people are willing to give away.

Steve Dillon · Mar 26, 2016

Thanks for the encouragement. I think ill have it dialed in by Tuesday

KJ · Mar 26, 2016

Steve i have Acropora valida - Tri-color frag if you like to try ,I will give it to you for free as a guinea pig,try it and see how it goes with your adventure to SPS corals