New to SPS

[mh393r]

So I have a RedSea Max E 260/Trigger 26 sump, 2 AI hydra 26, Reefwave 25, Red Sea RSK 300 skimmer, 2 circulation pumps that came with AIO, Sicce 300 return pump. Dosing BRS 2-part 10 mil daily. Alk 8.5 - 9, Calcium 425 - 440, Mag 1350 - 1400, No3 5 - 10 ppm, Po4 0.02 - 0.06 testing weekly for the past 3 months with bi-weekly 20% water changes. This is a mixed reef with 12 1” - 3” SPS frags I have next 2 zero growth and ZERO polyp extension during the day with some polyp extension after the lights go out. Lights are set with BRS recommended with a few tweaks and run @ 60%. There are 5 fish that I feed every other day a verity of different rods frozen food and I dose Red Sea AB+ twice a week. Main ??? is what am I doing or not doing right so that my acros will grow and mainly have polyp extension?

 

[mh393r]

Wife pointed out I missed salinity... 1.026 steady with a tunez ATO. And this tank is only 6 months old but I cycled it within 7 days. Been in the hobby 4 over 18 yrs just always grew softies & LPS can’t seem 2 get this SPS thing down!

 

[SPR1968]

Your water parameters look fine so it could easily be the lighting.

I have 4 of the Hydra 26’s in my S650 and this is the schedule I use from 9am to 10pm although I go ‘blue’ from around 7pm These are the Red Sea recommended settings I also had the E260 for a few months before upgrading

In my ’bigger’ tank which has Radion XR30 Pros the light settings are similar and at 90% full power with cloud effects (to provide some relief to the corals) and the Acropora grow very well, and thats a new tank.

 

[mh393r]

Your water parameters look fine so it could easily be the lighting.

I have 4 of the Hydra 26’s in my S650 and this is the schedule I use from 9am to 10pm although I go ‘blue’ from around 7pm These are the Red Sea recommended settings I also had the E260 for a few months before upgrading

In my ’bigger’ tank which has Radion XR30 Pros the light settings are similar and at 90% full power with cloud effects (to provide some relief to the corals) and the Acropora grow very well, and thats a new tank.

Not enough PAR? or 2 much?

 

[SPR1968]

Not enough PAR? or 2 much?

I don’t really do the ‘par’ malarkey! Lol.

Probably not enough I guess I’m saying, or try more power as per the picture

 

[mh393r]

Your water parameters look fine so it could easily be the lighting.

I have 4 of the Hydra 26’s in my S650 and this is the schedule I use from 9am to 10pm although I go ‘blue’ from around 7pm These are the Red Sea recommended settings I also had the E260 for a few months before upgrading

In my ’bigger’ tank which has Radion XR30 Pros the light settings are similar and at 90% full power with cloud effects (to provide some relief to the corals) and the Acropora grow very well, and thats a new tank.

That looks identical 2 what I’m running 10 am - 10:30 pm with 2 hr ramp up/down

 

[mh393r]

That looks identical 2 what I’m running 10 am - 10:30 pm with 2 hr ramp up/down

Just using the acclimation 2 lower the watts usage

 

[SPR1968]

Just using the acclimation 2 lower the watts usage

I wouldn’t use acclimatisation mode if that’s what you mean. Just use the standard power settings and give them some light. If you add new ones just leave them at the bottom for a week or so to adjust to the light and then move them up

Your water parameters are basically similar to both my systems, but are they rock solid stable, or do you get fluctuations throughout the week for example? Just a though as stability really is the key here.

My new ‘big‘ tank had SPS from the start, and they grow, but the water parameters are very stable

 

[mh393r]

I wouldn’t use acclimatisation mode if that’s what you mean. Just use the standard power settings and give them some light. If you add new ones just leave them at the bottom for a week or so to adjust to the light and then move them up

Your water parameters are basically similar to both my systems, but are they rock solid stable, or do you get fluctuations throughout the week for example? Just a though as stability really is the key here.

My new ‘big‘ tank had SPS from the start, and they grow, but the water parameters are very stable

I would say they are stable the parameters I gave are the only swings I have, never test higher or lower than the above posted with the exception of No3 it was high from the rapid cycle (40 ppm) slowly brought down over a 2 month period 2 where it sits and has sat 4 just under 3 months now.

 

[SPR1968]

I would say they are stable the parameters I gave are the only swings I have, never test higher or lower than the above posted with the exception of No3 it was high from the rapid cycle (40 ppm) slowly brought down over a 2 month period 2 where it sits and has sat 4 just under 3 months now.

Well on that basis I would turn the lights up and see how you get on

Your original post says ‘60%’ so I would gradually turn them up over a period of a week or so. In the picture above the white is 60 the others (apart from red and green) are max power. Thats what I do on both my systems.

 

[mh393r]

Well on that basis I would turn the lights up and see how you get on

Your original post says ‘60%’ so I would gradually turn them up over a period of a week or so. In the picture above the white is 60 the others (apart from red and green) are max power. Thats what I do on both my systems.

I would say they are stable the parameters I gave are the only swings I have, never test higher or lower than the above posted with the exception of No3 it was high from the rapid cycle (40 ppm) slowly brought down over a 2 month period 2 where it sits and has sat 4 just under 3 months now.

Will do an ty very much for the input will give it a go and see if it turns out!