Why is SPS so hard?

allboutthe305 · May 20, 2015

Equipment:
55 gallon tank
17 gallon sump
2x Kessil A160WE
Rio 1100 Return Pump
Hydor 850 power head
Reef Octopus Classic 110SSS skimmer

Fish:
2x Snowflake Clownfish
Neon goby
Diamond goby
Tailspot blenny
Red firefish

Clean up crew:
20 blue leg crabs
20 small snails
Red emerald crab
Peppermint shrimp

Parameters:
PH 8.0
Nitirite 0
Ammonia 0
Nirate 0
Calcium 450
Alk 9
Mag 1450
(Change 10 gallons every 2 weeks)

My tank has been running for a year now. Haven't lost any corals or fish in 11 months (not including SPS). But I can't keep any SPS successfully. Why is it so hard and what am I doing wrong?

I have numerous other corals. 20+ different Zoa's, mushrooms, favias, acans and I haven't lost anything but SPS corals in the 11 months.

I tried birdnest, acros, and monti's. None have survived more than 3 weeks. They either get STN or RTN.

if anyone has any tips that can help me be successful at SPS I will greatly appreciate them!

ritter6788 · May 20, 2015

What source water are you using?

allboutthe305 · May 20, 2015

RO/DI for top off, and I get the salt from my LFS

Irsug1 · May 20, 2015

Could your PH be dropping too low at night? Enough flow?

allboutthe305 · May 20, 2015

One was RTN, one was STN, 2 bleached to nothing.
The one in my tank now has brown spots and one black tip branch. (Purple Marshall island acro)

acolotto · May 20, 2015

My guess is its the kessils, the 160s dont really put to much PAR out. A guy in our local reef club just used a par meter on his at full intensity at got a reading of 135 right under the water line with the kessil 14" above the tank. He did get 300 at 9" but said it started falling off as soon as he started moving the meter sideways. The pH dropping doesn't seem to affect my SPS according to my APEX it goes from 8.4 to 8 throughout the night and been like that for yrs so I wouldnt worry to much about the pH. Id post in your local reef forum/facebook group and see if anyone has a PAR meter you could use. I know PAR isn't everything but definitely using a PAR meter you'd be able to tell if you are putting out enough light for SPS. IME they are going to need 300 to 500 PAR to live/thrive. Also it could be a flow issue because SPS is requires high flow. The Rio 110 at a 4' head pressure is only putting out about 180 gph and the one hydor is more then likely not enough. I have a rio 1100 and hydor 800 on my 20 gallon frag tank, I didnt think it was enough for my SPS frags so I am going to order another GYRE for frag tank

edited***
added another possible reason being not enough flow

allboutthe305 · May 20, 2015

Full intensity at what color setting though? I'm pretty sure it's got to be higher than that with full intensity and the blue turned all the way up. These things are a lot stronger than they look.

acolotto · May 20, 2015

Ill tag him and let him answer, @Sangheili

But 2 over a 4' tank is not enough light for sps and the combo with low flow, is more then likely the reason you can not keep sps

allboutthe305 · May 20, 2015

So my 1100 and 850 isn't enough? I have a spare 600 hydor (emergency backup) laying around. Should I try that also?

Would that be to much flow for my Zoa's? Or anything else I have.

I'll try lowering my light down some its at 12" from the surface now.

allboutthe305 · May 20, 2015

Thanks for the help by the way! I really appreciate it.

I don't know any local reef clubs so I might just dish out the money and get a par meter myself. [emoji17]

barbazoid · May 20, 2015

maybe get a t5 supplement

allboutthe305 · May 20, 2015

Might have to [emoji53] or I just stay away from SPS and go a different route.

acolotto · May 20, 2015

allboutthe305 said:
Thanks for the help by the way! I really appreciate it.

I don't know any local reef clubs so I might just dish out the money and get a par meter myself. [emoji17]

IME that isnt enough flow for sps, I had the same flow on my 2o frag and it wasnt enough, the problem is that the Rio 1100 loses a ton of power pushing up. How high is your return from your pump? If its around 4' the Rio 1100 only puts out around 200 gph. Id throw in the 600 on other side of the tank and aim it towards the other hydor, it will create more of chaotic flow that way. The zoas and lps should be fine, but again this is all my best guess on whats going on, its not an absolute. If you are really looking into getting into SPS maybe look into a jebao wp25. I had one with a hydor 600 on my old 55 and my sps did awesome. But it could be a light issues as well, hopefully not, id just add the extra powerhead and test the flow theory out first before deciding something about your lighting, especially if you like the way it looks

allboutthe305 · May 20, 2015

Think it might be something with flow like you suggested. I aimed the 850 more directly at the Marshall island and after about 5 minutes it had more polyp extension.

I just enjoy the challenge the hobby and challenge of having all the different corals but I think i just might stay away from SPS if my Marshall island doesn't make it. Thanks again Acolotto!

acolotto · May 20, 2015

allboutthe305 said:
Think it might be something with flow like you suggested. I aimed the 850 more directly at the Marshall island and after about 5 minutes it had more polyp extension.

I just enjoy the challenge the hobby and challenge of having all the different corals but I think i just might stay away from SPS if my Marshall island doesn't make it. Thanks again Acolotto!

No problem! And I agree completely with you about the challenge! And thats what I said about sps in the beginning, now i have over 50 sps frags in my display lol Good luck and stay wet

ritter6788 · May 20, 2015

allboutthe305 said:
RO/DI for top off, and I get the salt from my LFS

I wouldn't trust an LFS for saltwater. I'd make your own water and always make sure it has 0 TDS. I've seen some LFS water horror stories.

reefwiser · May 20, 2015

Steady Parameters Strong flow.

allboutthe305 · May 20, 2015

My parameters are just about as steady as can be. I'm pretty sure it's the flow problem.

Chameleon · May 20, 2015

Check stability of temp and salinity if things are dying that fast. Normally I would also include alk, but if you dont have any sps or clams it probably is pretty stable.