softies vs sps corals

gumbo33 · 07/21/2008, 02:11 PM

I always like softy corals as i am a newbie. Just upgrade my light and visited a friend who gave me the sps bug. Consider convert my tank to sps dominant tank. I do everything manually now. What do you suggestion equipment wise to buy?

aastretch64 · 07/21/2008, 02:21 PM

What is the run-down of your current equipment. Skimmer, lights, filters, etc.

Alex

gumbo33 · 07/21/2008, 03:22 PM

500w MH. TS 300 skimmer. No filter. Manually dosing 2 parts. AUTO TOP OFF.

aastretch64 · 07/21/2008, 07:01 PM

I would get a refugium started and/or phosban and carbon reactors (a must if you keep the softies since they produce chemicals). The goal to keeping SPS is stability, and good parameters:

SG: 1.0264
Calcium: 420
Alk: 10
Mag: 1300
pH: 8.2
Nitrates: <5ppm
Phosphates: <.02ppm
Nitrites: 0ppm
Ammonia: 0ppm

I would also start feeding zooplankton 1-3 times per week.

Start with some easier SPS like montipora digitata, montipora cap, then if you are successful with that you can try bali slimer, hynophora, and birdsnest, then maybe pocillipora and styliophora. If all goes well you can start moving to the more difficult coral like torts, stags and so on.

Anyone else have any suggestions?

Alex

atwinparadox2 · 07/22/2008, 12:21 PM

I agree, start with an easy SPS, maybe one or two to start off and give a a few months to see how you do keeping parameters and if you see any growth or not. Then you can step it up to more care intensive SPS's, then eventually to the ones we all drool over.

davocean · 07/22/2008, 12:57 PM

Mine started as softie as well, and have been slowly converting.
I'm liking it as mixed reef so there is some movement.
I would say a good skimmer, and a cal reactor has made the most difference on my tank, reactor makes very stable params.
Next I'll be looking for random flow solution, maybe OM.

07/21/2008, 02:11 PM	#1
gumbo33 Moved On Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 18	softies vs sps corals I always like softy corals as i am a newbie. Just upgrade my light and visited a friend who gave me the sps bug. Consider convert my tank to sps dominant tank. I do everything manually now. What do you suggestion equipment wise to buy?

07/22/2008, 12:57 PM	#6
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	Mine started as softie as well, and have been slowly converting. I'm liking it as mixed reef so there is some movement. I would say a good skimmer, and a cal reactor has made the most difference on my tank, reactor makes very stable params. Next I'll be looking for random flow solution, maybe OM. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

07/21/2008, 02:21 PM	#2
aastretch64 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Franklin Park, IL Posts: 384	What is the run-down of your current equipment. Skimmer, lights, filters, etc. Alex

07/21/2008, 03:22 PM	#3
gumbo33 Moved On Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 18	500w MH. TS 300 skimmer. No filter. Manually dosing 2 parts. AUTO TOP OFF.

07/21/2008, 07:01 PM	#4
aastretch64 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Franklin Park, IL Posts: 384	I would get a refugium started and/or phosban and carbon reactors (a must if you keep the softies since they produce chemicals). The goal to keeping SPS is stability, and good parameters: SG: 1.0264 Calcium: 420 Alk: 10 Mag: 1300 pH: 8.2 Nitrates: <5ppm Phosphates: <.02ppm Nitrites: 0ppm Ammonia: 0ppm I would also start feeding zooplankton 1-3 times per week. Start with some easier SPS like montipora digitata, montipora cap, then if you are successful with that you can try bali slimer, hynophora, and birdsnest, then maybe pocillipora and styliophora. If all goes well you can start moving to the more difficult coral like torts, stags and so on. Anyone else have any suggestions? Alex

07/22/2008, 12:21 PM	#5
atwinparadox2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Kingston, PA Posts: 782	I agree, start with an easy SPS, maybe one or two to start off and give a a few months to see how you do keeping parameters and if you see any growth or not. Then you can step it up to more care intensive SPS's, then eventually to the ones we all drool over.