SPS Corals

jtgrimes · 02/09/2009, 02:33 PM

I am wanting to start putting sps in my tank. Currently I have good flow, great skimmer, great levels, and metal halides. Is there anything else I need to prepare for.

Help!

Toddrtrex · 02/09/2009, 02:50 PM

What are your Cal, Alk and Mag levels?

Whys · 02/09/2009, 03:11 PM

Quarantine tank.

I'm about ready to move to SPS myself, but want to setup my QT first and get the hang of that. Reason being that all the SPS I see and like at my LFS are always for a customer and not for sale. I'm tired of this and not interested in buying any of the ugly SPS that he's happy to sell me. Thus, I'm going to learn how to buy these things online, use a QT, and get the low down on fresh water dipping.

IslandCrow · 02/09/2009, 03:41 PM

Have you emptied your savings account yet? If not, I'd prepare for that. Seriously, though, it sounds like you're pretty much ready to give it a try. As Toddrtrex mentioned, you'll need to start keeping an eye on your Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium methods, as well as come up with a supplementation plan. Early on, your demand may be low enough that regular water changes are enough, but I'd suggest giving this a read if you haven't already: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

And as Whys mentioned, quarantining corals is always a good idea. Personally, I just look them over with a magnifying glass, give them an iodine dip and call it good, but I've also had to treat for redbugs in the past, so you'd think I'd have learned.

Best of luck.

qfrisco · 02/09/2009, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Whys
Thus, I'm going to learn how to buy these things online, use a QT, and get the low down on fresh water dipping.

Quarantine is always a great idea, but freshwater dipping, at least for SPS would kill them. You might be able to do a quick FW dip (couple minutes), but I wouldn't chance it with SPS, and doing such a quick dip would probably be of minimal value in killing hitchhikers, etc. If you want to do an iodine dip, do it with tank water. I've used Lugol's in the past, but I've lately been using Tropic Marin Pro Coral Cure, and so far so good.

The directions for Lugol's calls for using "purified water" when preparing a dip. Just substitute it for tankwater and use the same dosing.

Slightly OT, but I think the best place to get SPS is from fellow reefers. Find and join a local club. The prices a generally cheaper, but more importantly, you're able to get familiarized with their husbandry and be able to trust the health of the corals.

Toddrtrex · 02/09/2009, 10:51 PM

Just a note -- if you are going to QT a coral for any length of time, make sure that your QT tank has the proper light, flow and levels (( Cal, Alk and Mag ))

02/09/2009, 02:33 PM	#1
jtgrimes Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Eastern ,NC Posts: 322	SPS Corals I am wanting to start putting sps in my tank. Currently I have good flow, great skimmer, great levels, and metal halides. Is there anything else I need to prepare for. Help!

02/09/2009, 02:50 PM	#2
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	What are your Cal, Alk and Mag levels? __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

02/09/2009, 03:41 PM	#4
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	Have you emptied your savings account yet? If not, I'd prepare for that. Seriously, though, it sounds like you're pretty much ready to give it a try. As Toddrtrex mentioned, you'll need to start keeping an eye on your Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium methods, as well as come up with a supplementation plan. Early on, your demand may be low enough that regular water changes are enough, but I'd suggest giving this a read if you haven't already: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm And as Whys mentioned, quarantining corals is always a good idea. Personally, I just look them over with a magnifying glass, give them an iodine dip and call it good, but I've also had to treat for redbugs in the past, so you'd think I'd have learned. Best of luck. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

02/09/2009, 10:51 PM	#6
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Just a note -- if you are going to QT a coral for any length of time, make sure that your QT tank has the proper light, flow and levels (( Cal, Alk and Mag )) __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

02/09/2009, 03:11 PM	#3
Whys Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,263	Quarantine tank. I'm about ready to move to SPS myself, but want to setup my QT first and get the hang of that. Reason being that all the SPS I see and like at my LFS are always for a customer and not for sale. I'm tired of this and not interested in buying any of the ugly SPS that he's happy to sell me. Thus, I'm going to learn how to buy these things online, use a QT, and get the low down on fresh water dipping.