How soon is to soon?

jfingers8 · 04/27/2009, 02:25 PM

I just started up a 90 gallon tank and basically want to make it a sps dominant tank how long should i wait before i start adding sps corals?

cherokee_dude · 04/27/2009, 02:30 PM

Once you're cycle has completed then you're good. Need more information on the setup to determine when that is the case. For example: How much Rock?, Sand?, How long running? Filtration type? Skimmer? these answers will make it a little easier to answer your question.

Toddrtrex · 04/27/2009, 03:41 PM

I would wait a while after the cycle finishes. You want the water chemistry of your tank to stabilize -- Mainly Cal, Alk, and Mag.

Also, what are your lights and flow?

Alaskan Reefer · 04/28/2009, 12:44 AM

But Todd is right -- Alaskan Reefer

reefD · 04/28/2009, 12:55 AM

yeah with sps time is imp but how your gonna filtrat your tank is the main issue..water must be prestine with ability to dose food without overloading system. also....sps do so much better in high flow. sps without halides is a challege ..wit halides its easier! use halides. best bet...if u want sps be prepared to spend extra on high class exuipment. thats what it takes for true success...calcium dosing..auto top off...controllers for waves..etc...all make sps care successful and fun.....funner!!lol!

crvz · 04/28/2009, 06:29 AM

If you're starting with a few robust species, adding 1 or 2 to "test the water" after the cycle should be relatively safe (say 2-3 months after you set it up). I surely wouldnt inundate the tank with stony corals, but slowly building it up should be alright.

Uncle Salty 05 · 04/28/2009, 07:31 AM

In my honest opinion I would wait one year.
I know that is a long time but again in my opinion it takes that long for a reef to completely stabilize. I would stick with softies and maybe an LPS or two until a year has passed.
SPS are expensive and losing them is no fun.
You can always get the proverbial "canary in the mine" and see how it goes but I would wait until you know things are stable.

snorvich · 04/28/2009, 07:37 AM

the problem with softies such as mushrooms is getting them out. I would definitely NOT add mushrooms to a tank that is destined for SPS. That said, Todd is right. Wait a while until you big three measurements are rock solid.

04/27/2009, 02:25 PM	#1
jfingers8 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: MA Posts: 562	How soon is to soon? I just started up a 90 gallon tank and basically want to make it a sps dominant tank how long should i wait before i start adding sps corals?

04/27/2009, 03:41 PM	#3
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	I would wait a while after the cycle finishes. You want the water chemistry of your tank to stabilize -- Mainly Cal, Alk, and Mag. Also, what are your lights and flow? __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

04/28/2009, 12:44 AM	#4
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	But Todd is right -- Alaskan Reefer __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress

04/28/2009, 12:55 AM	#5
reefD Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Schenectady,New York Posts: 4,968	yeah with sps time is imp but how your gonna filtrat your tank is the main issue..water must be prestine with ability to dose food without overloading system. also....sps do so much better in high flow. sps without halides is a challege ..wit halides its easier! use halides. best bet...if u want sps be prepared to spend extra on high class exuipment. thats what it takes for true success...calcium dosing..auto top off...controllers for waves..etc...all make sps care successful and fun.....funner!!lol! __________________ DAVID Current Tank Info: it has four sides and a bottom...oh yeah and it has water in it. lol

04/28/2009, 06:29 AM	#6
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	If you're starting with a few robust species, adding 1 or 2 to "test the water" after the cycle should be relatively safe (say 2-3 months after you set it up). I surely wouldnt inundate the tank with stony corals, but slowly building it up should be alright. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

04/27/2009, 02:30 PM	#2
cherokee_dude Registered Member. Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 46	Once you're cycle has completed then you're good. Need more information on the setup to determine when that is the case. For example: How much Rock?, Sand?, How long running? Filtration type? Skimmer? these answers will make it a little easier to answer your question.

04/28/2009, 07:31 AM	#7
Uncle Salty 05 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,799	In my honest opinion I would wait one year. I know that is a long time but again in my opinion it takes that long for a reef to completely stabilize. I would stick with softies and maybe an LPS or two until a year has passed. SPS are expensive and losing them is no fun. You can always get the proverbial "canary in the mine" and see how it goes but I would wait until you know things are stable. __________________ In all that I endure, of one thing I am sure. Knowledge and reason, change like the season. A jester's promenade. - Kerry Livgren Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank with dual attached refugiums 20 long and 10 gallon. Plus 55 gallon True Percula breeding tank.

04/28/2009, 07:37 AM	#8
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	the problem with softies such as mushrooms is getting them out. I would definitely NOT add mushrooms to a tank that is destined for SPS. That said, Todd is right. Wait a while until you big three measurements are rock solid. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~