Starting a new SPS tank

[Xclusive Reef]

I want to hear what people suggest for a new 100 gallon tank. I keep seeing people using soooo many things and mixed opinions on the same things.

Some people use Calcium Reactors, GFO, Carbon 2 part etc etc... what makes one better than the other?

I plan on starting a mixed 70/30 sps/lps tank 100 gallon tank and wanted to know from you experts how would you start? My plan is once the tank is cycled, get 2-3 corals and let it settle for 1-2 months before adding more or even fish OR is it best to get the fish first then the corals?

I wanted to use a calcium reactor but I see some people going back to 2 part since they can't adjust their Calcium Reactors.

 

[Ty Hamatake]

What is your maintenance schedule going to look like? Are you going to rely mostly on water changes or dosing for parameter control? I realize that "everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face", but what do you think you'll end up doing? Personally I'd keep all options open, but only pull the trigger on them once you need them. There's no reason to waste money on dosing a tank for what could be handled with simple water changes. I still have a relatively low coral load in my 75 gallon (mainly frags right now), and I am currently using kalkwasser (limewater) to keep my parameters stable. I also have 2 part that I've only used a tiny bit of that was used to get things where I wanted them to be.

Starting slow is a great idea. The slower the better in my opinion. Make small adjustments if/when you need to. Starting off chasing numbers is setting yourself up for frustration (lol take it from a guy who chases numbers).

 

[bif24701]

I want to hear what people suggest for a new 100 gallon tank. I keep seeing people using soooo many things and mixed opinions on the same things.

Some people use Calcium Reactors, GFO, Carbon 2 part etc etc... what makes one better than the other?

I plan on starting a mixed 70/30 sps/lps tank 100 gallon tank and wanted to know from you experts how would you start? My plan is once the tank is cycled, get 2-3 corals and let it settle for 1-2 months before adding more or even fish OR is it best to get the fish first then the corals?

I wanted to use a calcium reactor but I see some people going back to 2 part since they can't adjust their Calcium Reactors.

I would start with Kalk and a good ATO system. CalRx are great for high demand systems but you are a long ways from that. Kalk will be viable for you for at least a year if not forever. I've been using Kalk on my 180 for 1.5 years almost all SPS and many colonies. CalRX needs experience, knowledge, and expensive equipment to run constantly.

Kalk just needs a good peristaltic pump, ATO container and ATO control device.

 

[bif24701]

I meant *run consistently*, if you have the right hardware a CalRx can be very dependable and accurate but you need a Cole Palmer MasterFlex pump and the Carbon Doser plus a pH controller. So yea Kalk need a bucket, pump and a timer, that's it.

 

[Xclusive Reef]

I meant *run consistently*, if you have the right hardware a CalRx can be very dependable and accurate but you need a Cole Palmer MasterFlex pump and the Carbon Doser plus a pH controller. So yea Kalk need a bucket, pump and a timer, that's it.

I agree with what you saying but in a year how much money are you wasting on kalk? I know Calrx is expensive but in the long term you would save more money then spending it on kalk no? Also who uses carbon in their tanks?

 

[bif24701]

I agree with what you saying but in a year how much money are you wasting on kalk? I know Calrx is expensive but in the long term you would save more money then spending it on kalk no? Also who uses carbon in their tanks?

Kalk is cheap cheap cheap. You are still going to need an ATO, plus you can still and should continue to use Kalk with the CalRx to help raise pH. CalRx's lower pH so there is no reason not too.

 

[Xclusive Reef]

Kalk is cheap cheap cheap. You are still going to need an ATO, plus you can still and should continue to use Kalk with the CalRx to help raise pH. CalRx's lower pH so there is no reason not too.

ok done.. so kalk to start till it get out of control lol. whats your take on carbon reactor and chemipure to keep the water crystal clear?

 

[bif24701]

ok done.. so kalk to start till it get out of control lol. whats your take on carbon reactor and chemipure to keep the water crystal clear?

I do run carbon (BRS ROX 0.8 only) in a reactor occasionally when needed. Recently I've adopted a better strategy, 30%+ water changes every two weeks, sometimes more. This keeps my water quality all around much better. I certainly would get a reasonable sized reactor for those times you need it, get a larger one and you can run carbon/GFO together in a 2:1 ratio.

 

[BoomCorals]

I would start with Kalk and a good ATO system. CalRx are great for high demand systems but you are a long ways from that. Kalk will be viable for you for at least a year if not forever. I've been using Kalk on my 180 for 1.5 years almost all SPS and many colonies. CalRX needs experience, knowledge, and expensive equipment to run constantly.

Kalk just needs a good peristaltic pump, ATO container and ATO control device.

I agree with this. Just keep it simple, you'd be amazed how far simple kalk can go with your ATO. I have 400 gallons overall in my main system and have never needed anything more than kalk. I run a 10% water change a week, running slowly and constantly via my apex DOS. This helps prevent large swings or changes in parameters.

 

[bif24701]

I agree with this. Just keep it simple, you'd be amazed how far simple kalk can go with your ATO. I have 400 gallons overall in my main system and have never needed anything more than kalk. I run a 10% water change a week, running slowly and constantly via my apex DOS. This helps prevent large swings or changes in parameters.

I do my Kalk 100% time control and it has worked stupendously! I originally used a Aqualifter but way too inconsistent for this kind of thing, perfect of using floats or switches but I have none.

I'm adding 3 minutes worth of full saturated Kalk+some vinegar via a BRS 50ml/minute pump. This is the ideal type of pump for the application because the amount it added is extremely consistent and accurate no matter what. If my container is low or whatever it still adds the same amount, and equally important it doesn't siphon.

Right now I'm doing 3 min every .5 hours, normally I do 4 min. I want my ALK to drop a little tiny bit.

I've been trying to convince some that this is the ideal way to apply Kalk because it has the fewest variables and failure points but you know how reefers are diehard for their own methods.

 

[hart24601]

What sort of alk demand do you guys have that are running only kalk? For a SPS tank I wouldn't think kalk would keep up well. I have a 6 week old 60 cube primarily sps tank and I run kalk separate from the ato (55ml/min doser on RKL timer), but even with frags the demand is over 1dkh/day and increasing a lot. That would be half a gallon of saturated kalk a day. My old 120 dropped 3dkh/day.

Right now I have to supplement the kalk with 30ml of ca and sodium carbonate and this is just a baby tank.

 

[Ashish Patel]

You just need to find set parameters you want to maintain and test every other day until you get a general idea of what works. With SPS nutrients are critical compared to Softies and LPS and something we new to SPS tend to overlook. My biggest mistake was not taking nutrient export serious and ended-up starving my corals with chemipure elite. You'll get advice saying "low nutrients is a must" or "has to be "undetectable", and you will do everything to get their and one day you find your corals paling lol.

 

[Ashish Patel]

Parameters are important but most important are those living organisms in the water we can't measure. I wish I had considered this prior to starting my reef but during the initial phase your focused on your tank, light, stand, flow, etc. I started with 100% dry rock and after 2 months I was not happy with the tanks maturity so found a local reefer who sold me 30Lb of his 15+ year old LR.
I've observe advance hobbyist starting new tanks with dry rock and not having success as they previously had. Mike paletta wrote an article on this last week regarding his failed first year with his new SPS reef. As I was reading I just knew it had to be some unknown elements as I know Mike parameters swings are minimal..

https://reefbuilders.com/2017/07/08/revisiting-my-elos-tank-after-18-months/

 

[biecacka]

I agree that the cole parmer is a nice pump to have. I run my CaRx off my manifold with a gate valve and while it might not be the best option, it has held very steady for me. I do use a good regulator but I forget the brand. My ALK holds very steady around 8.6-9.0 but I am considering bumping it up a little bit.

corey

 

[dankreef]

CA reactor only way to go