First coral...recommendations please.

mcoomer · 04/24/2009, 09:28 AM

Well, my tank is 10 years old so I figure that it's as cycled as it's going to get. Eventually I would like to have an SPS dominated tank but for now what would you recommend for a 125 as a trial run. The only things that are in the tank now, besides fish, are some polyps and mushrooms that hitchiked in on rock. I don't know how many pounds of rock I've got in the tank now but I've got two nice islands setup that are approx 2' wide and come within 5-6" of the surface in a couple of spots and I've got more available as needed for perches. On the tank bottom I've got just enough sand to cover probably 3/4 of the acrylic with less than 1/4". Lighting is provided by two 250W MH and two 5' VHO's. Flow is provided by an Iwaki 40 RLXT and two Vortech MP40W's set to random. Water parameters are (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate are 0):

Calcium: 460ppm
Alkilinity: 9dKH
Ph: 8.2
SG: 1.022
Temp: 78-80F

So, let me know what you think I should be looking at.

Thanks,
Mike

DeathWish302 · 04/24/2009, 09:34 AM

If you would like to eventually venture into SPS, I would recommend a Bird's Nest (Seriatopora Hystrix). They are a little less demanding than the average Acro and grow like weeds = $$$ from sold frags. A second choice would be a Acropora 'Stag'.

Also, bump up that SG to 35ppt.

Just my $0.02....

mcoomer · 04/24/2009, 09:40 AM

Working on the SG. I had gotten out of the habit of checking it and it slipped to 1.020 but I've been building it back up during water changes.

snorvich · 04/24/2009, 10:12 AM

Yes, you need to use a refractometer calibrated to measure your SG and if you want to do corals, it needs to be close to 1.0264 (NSW). It will slip over time but you need to bring it back up. I recommend a green slimer acro, and, as mentioned above, Seriatopora which has different flavors.

DeathWish302 · 04/24/2009, 10:28 AM

Truly you can bump it back up by dripping (really a slow running stream) 35 ppt fresh SW into your sump. As evaporation occurs you will naturally raise the SG at a very safe rate. For a 125gal at that SG, your going to need to add about ~20 gallons this way to bump up that SG to 35ppt. I would just dump in an extra five gallons (or as much as your sump can hold w/o overflowing) and let natural evap. do the work. Water changes with an elevated SG (at least to the current tank SG) can too rapdily change the SG IMO.

I have done what your experiencing before and it did take about 5 days of evap. to raise the SG from 30 to 35.

kb27973 · 04/24/2009, 12:01 PM

Montipora. It's like a weed once it takes off.

Ken

mcoomer · 04/24/2009, 02:31 PM

I'm glad that Montipora is recommended. I've seen some really beautiful, round Montipora Capricornis in a bright red/orange and have always thought they would look good in my tank.

Keep the ideas coming, please.

04/24/2009, 09:28 AM	#1
mcoomer Rat Bastard! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sammamish, WA Posts: 1,487	First coral...recommendations please. Well, my tank is 10 years old so I figure that it's as cycled as it's going to get. Eventually I would like to have an SPS dominated tank but for now what would you recommend for a 125 as a trial run. The only things that are in the tank now, besides fish, are some polyps and mushrooms that hitchiked in on rock. I don't know how many pounds of rock I've got in the tank now but I've got two nice islands setup that are approx 2' wide and come within 5-6" of the surface in a couple of spots and I've got more available as needed for perches. On the tank bottom I've got just enough sand to cover probably 3/4 of the acrylic with less than 1/4". Lighting is provided by two 250W MH and two 5' VHO's. Flow is provided by an Iwaki 40 RLXT and two Vortech MP40W's set to random. Water parameters are (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate are 0): Calcium: 460ppm Alkilinity: 9dKH Ph: 8.2 SG: 1.022 Temp: 78-80F So, let me know what you think I should be looking at. Thanks, Mike __________________ Spending exorbitant amounts of money on this hobby since 1998! My wife thought the tank would be cheaper and easier to keep than a dog...no seriously! Current Tank Info: 180 gallon mixed reef; Reeflo Barracuda, Tunze 6105 (X3), 250W Radiums with dual HQI Blue Wave 7, Reefkeeper Elite controller, custom sump with ASM G4, carbon and GFO reactors

04/24/2009, 09:34 AM	#2
DeathWish302 Clown Hoarder Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Wixom, MI Posts: 1,603	If you would like to eventually venture into SPS, I would recommend a Bird's Nest (Seriatopora Hystrix). They are a little less demanding than the average Acro and grow like weeds = $$$ from sold frags. A second choice would be a Acropora 'Stag'. Also, bump up that SG to 35ppt. Just my $0.02.... __________________ -Frank Save 'Wild' Nemo and his Nem.! Would you transplant a Redwood b/c it looks good with birds in the backyard??? Buy CB fish and Captive-Cloned nems. Current Tank Info: 175gal. 3-tier Reef, 400W/250W Radiums, LED/CFL Par38 Mangrove Lagoon 12g Aquapod GBTA 'sterile' tank w/ DIY LED Lighting

04/24/2009, 09:40 AM	#3
mcoomer Rat Bastard! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sammamish, WA Posts: 1,487	Working on the SG. I had gotten out of the habit of checking it and it slipped to 1.020 but I've been building it back up during water changes. __________________ Spending exorbitant amounts of money on this hobby since 1998! My wife thought the tank would be cheaper and easier to keep than a dog...no seriously! Current Tank Info: 180 gallon mixed reef; Reeflo Barracuda, Tunze 6105 (X3), 250W Radiums with dual HQI Blue Wave 7, Reefkeeper Elite controller, custom sump with ASM G4, carbon and GFO reactors

04/24/2009, 10:12 AM	#4
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	Yes, you need to use a refractometer calibrated to measure your SG and if you want to do corals, it needs to be close to 1.0264 (NSW). It will slip over time but you need to bring it back up. I recommend a green slimer acro, and, as mentioned above, Seriatopora which has different flavors. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

04/24/2009, 10:28 AM	#5
DeathWish302 Clown Hoarder Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Wixom, MI Posts: 1,603	Truly you can bump it back up by dripping (really a slow running stream) 35 ppt fresh SW into your sump. As evaporation occurs you will naturally raise the SG at a very safe rate. For a 125gal at that SG, your going to need to add about ~20 gallons this way to bump up that SG to 35ppt. I would just dump in an extra five gallons (or as much as your sump can hold w/o overflowing) and let natural evap. do the work. Water changes with an elevated SG (at least to the current tank SG) can too rapdily change the SG IMO. I have done what your experiencing before and it did take about 5 days of evap. to raise the SG from 30 to 35. __________________ -Frank Save 'Wild' Nemo and his Nem.! Would you transplant a Redwood b/c it looks good with birds in the backyard??? Buy CB fish and Captive-Cloned nems. Current Tank Info: 175gal. 3-tier Reef, 400W/250W Radiums, LED/CFL Par38 Mangrove Lagoon 12g Aquapod GBTA 'sterile' tank w/ DIY LED Lighting

04/24/2009, 12:01 PM	#6
kb27973 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Denver, CO. Posts: 715	Montipora. It's like a weed once it takes off. Ken

04/24/2009, 02:31 PM	#7
mcoomer Rat Bastard! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sammamish, WA Posts: 1,487	I'm glad that Montipora is recommended. I've seen some really beautiful, round Montipora Capricornis in a bright red/orange and have always thought they would look good in my tank. Keep the ideas coming, please. __________________ Spending exorbitant amounts of money on this hobby since 1998! My wife thought the tank would be cheaper and easier to keep than a dog...no seriously! Current Tank Info: 180 gallon mixed reef; Reeflo Barracuda, Tunze 6105 (X3), 250W Radiums with dual HQI Blue Wave 7, Reefkeeper Elite controller, custom sump with ASM G4, carbon and GFO reactors