Torch vs. Frogspawn

[Mavric]

I recently put in a Frogspawn in my tank which is doing really well and I want to add a Torch to the other side to go after a certain look. I know they are both pretty beginner-friendly but on LiveAquaria it states additional supplements (i.e. calcium) are required for proper care of Torch. Is this absolutely true or will it do OK growing with just the light?

 

[AlexStinson]

Both of them make a skeleton out of calcium. It is non-optional component of their growth. While they are small you are probably ok with just water changes, but both of those start to grow exponentially and a few years down the road you have hundreds of heads and a large calcium/alkalinity uptake.

 

[Jason mack]

Agreed.. you will be fine for now .. water changes will suffice, but as you get further into th hobby that will probably change ... but for now no worries

 

[Mavric]

Both of them make a skeleton out of calcium. It is non-optional component of their growth. While they are small you are probably ok with just water changes, but both of those start to grow exponentially and a few years down the road you have hundreds of heads and a large calcium/alkalinity uptake.

Thanks! It's a nano setup so I doubt I have room for a hundred heads but I imagine in a smaller setup it would need it sooner due to the fact. Right now my Frogspawn is one head at about 3 inches in diameter so not too big. Torch will be a tad bit bigger but not by much.

 

[timrocks311]

Thanks! It's a nano setup so I doubt I have room for a hundred heads but I imagine in a smaller setup it would need it sooner due to the fact. Right now my Frogspawn is one head at about 3 inches in diameter so not too big. Torch will be a tad bit bigger but not by much.

If you're going to keep LPS, then you need to be testing for alkalinity, calcium and magnesium and understand them. I'm just guessing by your questions that you are not doing that. If not, you're likely to have problems. I'm not saying you have to dose yet, but my tank is only 5 months old and I have alkalinity swings I'm dosing for.

 

[Mavric]

If you're going to keep LPS, then you need to be testing for alkalinity, calcium and magnesium and understand them. I'm just guessing by your questions that you are not doing that. If not, you're likely to have problems. I'm not saying you have to dose yet, but my tank is only 5 months old and I have alkalinity swings I'm dosing for.

Good input, highly appreciated! Originally I was going to do a FOWLR setup but got caught by the coral bug recently. It looks like I need to invest in more testing stuff for those other parameters.