Adding 1 SPS frag

[saltybastard]

As a test to see whether I can keep SPS, I'm planning on buying a small frag and seeing whether it grows/stays alive.

I currently don't have a calcium reactor or a dosing system set up but was wondering if this one little piece will throw off my levels. Obviously, if I have success, I plan on getting a reactor or start dosing.

I have more than enough light to grow SPS and my water parameters are good.

I have several softies that seem to be thriving in the tank right now.

Good idea? If so, what type of frag is easy to keep?

[TwistedEnvy]

How old is your tank? Feel free to add a frag and see how it goes. My advice is to start with something like a birdsnest or monti cap and see how those go.

[Allmost]

well, its a good Idea, but SPS need stability.

so if you get it and its fine for a day it might die from RTN the day after if KH drops, PH changes, salinity change ....
dosing isnt hard, u can start with 2 part dosing
monitor the values for po4, no3, calcium, KH and magnesium

they also need high flow

get something green though as that's the easiest color to keep in my opinion.

[thebkramer]

Originally Posted by Allmost

get something green though as that's the easiest color to keep in my opinion.

Hmmmmm.....
Is this why my LFS seems to ONLY carry "green/ish" corals pretty cheap?

Here I was thinking they were just boring!!! lmao:

[Allmost]

Originally Posted by thebkramer

Hmmmmm.....
Is this why my LFS seems to ONLY carry "green/ish" corals pretty cheap?

Here I was thinking they were just boring!!! lmao:

most probably

they say yellow and green are easy to keep (I have hard time keeping yellows bright though) and purples being the hardest to keep.

for each color to pop out, certain metals are needed at right concentration in water for it., like Iron, iodine , ...

OF COURSE more actinic lighting would make SPS colors pop out more, while the white sie of spectrum yields more growth.

[sfboarders]

You won't need to dose with a frag. When you start adding lots of frags and have colonies then that's when you need to start dosing.

[saltybastard]

Interesting. I'm going to give it a go. I have high flow as well and my tank has been up and running for a long time now (3-4 yrs). However, I have recently upgraded the tank and added some new water to make up the difference. Don't know if this will affect the stability of the tank

[jtrasap]

Try to find a nice orange monti cap to start with. They are usually cheap and about as hardy as SPS get. Where are you located? I have a ton of it and could give you a nice sized chunk to try your luck with.

[TotalVapor]

That is how I started with SPS. A monti cap was given to me to test with.

Just get your CA to at least 425 and your Mag to at least 1275 (3 times the amount of CA)

Alk 7.0 to 9.0 is pretty good, some keep higher.

If you just check your levels every day until they are stable then once a week once they are stable you will be fine.

If you go with lots of SPS and do get a CA reactor I would recommend using NeoMag to keep your Mag up where you want it. It is a really helpful product.

HTH

[Everyones Hero]

You'll be fine with 1 frag. I have 3 caps, an acro, & a digi & I'm getting good growth with just water changes & top-offs with limewater.

[saltybastard]

Sweeet. Thanks everyone.