Please advise on my first ACRO :)

dnguyen1 · 11/28/2012, 01:21 AM

Hello guys, I have a 2 year old 50g cube w/ a 20g sump.

It's all softies w/ a few exceptions.... I have had luck w/ a montipora cap that really thrived w/ just my basic water changes, went from a small frag to a true cap.

I also have the holidays greetings encrusted thing (Sorry not sure what it is haha)... but anyways... today I took the plunge and acquired a mini colony of an acropora.

I am religious w/ my water changes 10% every 2 weeks and can consistently do so... but am just wondering if introducing this acro will mean that my water changes won't be sufficient anymore and that I'll have to start dosing??

a reactor is out of the question, I don't have room, so if I dose I would be doing B-ionic--however I don't want to introduce things I don't have to. In your experience w/ just there "3" sps, am I okay to just continue w/ my routine??

THanks

bnumair · 11/28/2012, 07:37 AM

what kinda lights do u have and how much flow?
SPS-Acros require perfect water quality with lots of flow and very good strong lights. close to no nitrates(0-3ppm) and phos(0.01-0.03) and very very steady cal alk and mag.

thegrun · 11/28/2012, 08:10 AM

I would think that with your light load of hard corals you would be able to use kalkwasser as your top off (assuming you have an ATO) to keep up with your calcium and alkalinity needs. You don't list your tank's water parameters, which would help with our advice. Regular testing with an eye on your calcium, alkalinity and magnesium levels will determine what if any supplements you need to add. I doubt a 10% water change once every two weeks is going to be enough to keep up, but adding kalk to your top off would be the most economical and easiest means of meeting the tank's demands IMHO.

blanden.adam · 11/28/2012, 09:03 AM

The only way to know is to get test kits and test your water. If you cant keep calcium and alkalinity stable and within range (Ca: 400-460 ppm, Alk: 8-12 dKH) with just your water changes, you will have to dose. There really is no point in trying to guess. Test the water and your tank will tell you what it needs

dnguyen1 · 11/28/2012, 10:59 AM

Thank you guys

I will go out and get some test kits so I have an idea . I'm running hte Maxspect R4z0r? Or however it's spelt haha 120w 16000k and I have a Koralia 550 and the JBJ Oceanstream dual powerheads w/ that little controller set to 45 second intervals. I think I'm pushing about 800-1000 gph.

11/28/2012, 01:21 AM	#1
dnguyen1 Will work for fish Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 910	Please advise on my first ACRO :) Hello guys, I have a 2 year old 50g cube w/ a 20g sump. It's all softies w/ a few exceptions.... I have had luck w/ a montipora cap that really thrived w/ just my basic water changes, went from a small frag to a true cap. I also have the holidays greetings encrusted thing (Sorry not sure what it is haha)... but anyways... today I took the plunge and acquired a mini colony of an acropora. I am religious w/ my water changes 10% every 2 weeks and can consistently do so... but am just wondering if introducing this acro will mean that my water changes won't be sufficient anymore and that I'll have to start dosing?? a reactor is out of the question, I don't have room, so if I dose I would be doing B-ionic--however I don't want to introduce things I don't have to. In your experience w/ just there "3" sps, am I okay to just continue w/ my routine?? THanks __________________ Trying to keep the tank clean ONE DAY AT A TIME. Current Tank Info: 50g cube

11/28/2012, 07:37 AM	#2
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	what kinda lights do u have and how much flow? SPS-Acros require perfect water quality with lots of flow and very good strong lights. close to no nitrates(0-3ppm) and phos(0.01-0.03) and very very steady cal alk and mag. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

11/28/2012, 10:59 AM	#5
dnguyen1 Will work for fish Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 910	Thank you guys I will go out and get some test kits so I have an idea . I'm running hte Maxspect R4z0r? Or however it's spelt haha 120w 16000k and I have a Koralia 550 and the JBJ Oceanstream dual powerheads w/ that little controller set to 45 second intervals. I think I'm pushing about 800-1000 gph. __________________ Trying to keep the tank clean ONE DAY AT A TIME. Current Tank Info: 50g cube

11/28/2012, 08:10 AM	#3
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I would think that with your light load of hard corals you would be able to use kalkwasser as your top off (assuming you have an ATO) to keep up with your calcium and alkalinity needs. You don't list your tank's water parameters, which would help with our advice. Regular testing with an eye on your calcium, alkalinity and magnesium levels will determine what if any supplements you need to add. I doubt a 10% water change once every two weeks is going to be enough to keep up, but adding kalk to your top off would be the most economical and easiest means of meeting the tank's demands IMHO.

11/28/2012, 09:03 AM	#4
blanden.adam Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Manlius, NY Posts: 1,666	The only way to know is to get test kits and test your water. If you cant keep calcium and alkalinity stable and within range (Ca: 400-460 ppm, Alk: 8-12 dKH) with just your water changes, you will have to dose. There really is no point in trying to guess. Test the water and your tank will tell you what it needs