New to SPS fairly happy !!

[Lesley]

After having a totally lps dominated tank for 2 yrs decided to try my hand at some SPS. Failed miserably first few months , didn't kill anything but certainly didn't thrive either. Within weeks they always browned. So did some major research & fairly happy with colour returning& growth has been sensational. Fairly happy. Here are some pics ( iPhone sorry ). Hope you enjoy

 

[Paranoiattack91]

Fairly happy? Looks great!

 

[Lesley]

Fairly happy? Looks great!

Well thank you. This is 6

months ago ! 2 of the SPS pieces are the same ones on top rock. That's the growth & colour in. 6 months

 

[reefwiser]

What do you feel helped in your situation to get the SPS to color up and grow?

 

[firstlight10]

Nice collection!

 

[Paranoiattack91]

What lights are you running?

 

[Lesley]

What do you feel helped in your situation to get the SPS to color up and grow?

Bigger & more water changes seemed to work. But mostly I feel tank was too young , it's exactly 12mnths old now so I think stability and maturity helped a lot. I have always run fairly low nutrient but was not dosing enough manually. So that was huge contributing factor too. So combination of a few things I think.

 

[Lesley]

What lights are you running?

ATI 8 X. 80w programmable. Love this light wouldn't ever move away from T5's in general.

 

[cb684]

Looking great! Congrats...

 

[TUSI]

Beauty full tank. Should be very happy

 

[surfnsalt]

Awesomesness right there! Be proud.

 

[Zane]

I have to ask. What would it take to make you "very happy" or "totally happy" ,,,,beautiful tank

 

[Lesley]

I have to ask. What would it take to make you "very happy" or "totally happy" ,,,,beautiful tank

hahahah . really good question. There is always something needs improvement. lol

 

[Brandon McHenry]

Wow that's just incredible! Amazing how quickly you turned things around! I wish I could achieve that level of coloration! What bulbs are you running and for how long? Also would you mind posting so tanks specs and parameters so we can all compare?

 

[Lesley]

Wow that's just incredible! Amazing how quickly you turned things around! I wish I could achieve that level of coloration! What bulbs are you running and for how long? Also would you mind posting so tanks specs and parameters so we can all compare?

Hi. Thank you.

I run 2 blue's. 1 pink 1 purple. 2 pure whites & 2 white/blue's. They ramp sunrise 2 hours 1%_100%. Run full 100% for 7 hrs then ramp down over 2 hours sunset !

Parameters
Salinity 1.026
Mag 1250
Alk 8.3
Cal 420
Nitrate 0.00-0.02
Phos 0.00-0.03
Marine magic doser with approx 200ml a day with Randy's receipe.
I use natural sea water only. I water change 25% every 21 days. Use Seachem Plus and Trace 2 x week as directed on bottles and dose amino's twice a week also.

Tank is 7 x 2.5 x 2.5 Peninsular. Run carbon reactor 24/7. Debary 25w UV 24/7 and rowa changed every 6 weeks.

Cant think of anything else. If you want to know anything please just ask.

 

[Lesley]

Here is a a quick fts. If that helps

 

[Brandon McHenry]

Here is a a quick fts. If that helps

Wow there is just something about those T5's. They never fail to produce spectacular results. I can't seem to get that lucky with my LED/T5 combo. Amazing tank. Congrats!

 

[Wolff92]

Absolutely amazing tank. Those SPS look amazing and happy keep doing what your doing!

 

[brownsalt92]

Awesome tank that looks great. I'm fighting with a nitrate and phosphates problem myself 16-32 no3 and 1.50 phosphate

 

[Lesley]

Awesome tank that looks great. I'm fighting with a nitrate and phosphates problem myself 16-32 no3 and 1.50 phosphate

I swear the 5kg seachem Matrix I've run since day one is my reason for low nitrates. Brought it over to this tank from my 6 footer which also had 0 nitrates. I personally wouldn't run a tank without it now.