New to SPS

[blizzardscout2]

So I have done some reading on SPS but I have a few question. I traded my anemones away and have my first frag of Acropora of unknown name. I have it on the bottom of the aquarium right now as I know it needs to acclimate first to my lights (Nanobox Quad Wide over a Reefer 170). When should I move it higher up in the rock? What signs of stress should I see if it is stressed when I do move it?

 

[Ocelaris]

What are your parameters for alk, calcium and Nitrate/phosphates? That can be as important or more than light sometimes, particularly alkalinity stability and nutrients.

If you can't dim the lights, I'd move them up once or twice a week and see how they do. Sudden bleaching is a sign of too much light, but if you go slowly, you can move them back down for the little longer after they've recovered.

 

[Zack K]

It can take weeks to months to kill SPS in low light. It can take hours to days to kill one in high light. With that being said take it slowly and also I agree with the guy above. You HAVE TO HAVE stable alkalinity especially with Acros. They are very sensitive and this can be more of a killer than your lights.

 

[blizzardscout2]

Alk 8.5 Ca 400 Nitrate 1 Phosphates .015. I have been diligent about testing to make sure my parameters are stable. I have a dosing pump with Ca and Alk and I add Mag when necessary. My light uses a Bluefish controller so I have fine control over the settings. I am slowly raising the light levels. So far there hasn't been any bleaching.

 

[Ocelaris]

Calcium looks a little low, but as long as you go slow raising light levels and keep alk stable you should be fine. I did 10-15 percent every three days.

 

[blizzardscout2]

I raised my Ca dosing as it was 360 when I got home. I raised my light level about 10% 2 days ago so I will raise it again tomorrow evening. The Acro looks great, although the Montipora frags don't look as great. Are these more sensitive to light possibly?

 

[blizzardscout2]

My Ca is up to 390 now. My Acro looks great and the two tips that were nipped at look to be healing. One of the montiporas is bleaching a little. Probably due to too much light. It was already on the bottom near the front so I moved it to a shaded area. Hopefully it acclimates and recovers. My ALK was 8.8, Mg 1340, Phosphates 0.018 and Nitrates less than 1, Salinity 1.025.

 

[blizzardscout2]

Does this look like STN? It was like this when I traded for the frag but it hasn't changed at all since.

 

[Ocelaris]

No, it'll grow over that eventually, that's just damaged tissue. If it's healthy and no algae is on that spot ie a clean break it'll fill in fast. If it's a dirty area it'll take a bit longer. As long as the dead part isn't growing, you're fine.

 

[blizzardscout2]

Okay cool. Thank you. So far it has grown a little already so I figured it must be healthy.

 

[Ocelaris]

Yeah, damage from transport is normal. I usually break off the ceramic plug, and glue them horizontally with the damaged part glued to the rock. Basically the part that gets light will grow tissue, the shaded part takes a long time if ever.