Help keep sps

[modf1000]

I really want to do sps but i tried 2 frags and they just die within 2 weeks. My salt level is right on and the temp. Is always there and all testing work is on. Can anyone tell me why it's dying cause i really want to start sps.

Thanks

 

[howze01]

You would have to give more details about your setup for anyone to even try a guess. Size, lighting, stock list, all parameters (alkalinity, calcium, phosphates etc.), maintenance schedule, water movement and anything else you can think of. Also, what kind of frags did you lose?

 

[kakado]

Tagging along, am in the same boat.

 

[duke62]

im just starting sps and having someluck right now..when you say right on what is.what pars are you checking and with what test kits.are you using ro/di water.which sps are you trying to keep right now and how old is your system.what are you using for flow..what kind of lights do you have and what kind of animals are in your tank.what kind of skimmer do you have.you need to tell everyone everything

 

[CONSTANTNE]

Like others have said. You really need to give us a lot of info so we can determine what the problem may be. Age and size of tank, lighting, filtration, water movement, salt, type of water you use, etc just to name a few.

 

[Bry17nyc]

Tagging along....

 

[modf1000]

i use RO water. i tried a milli colony and 2 acro frags. my tank is the deep blue 57 gallon rimless. i have a t5 with ATI bulbs. soon will be switching over to 20k LEDS. my tank is a reef with lps never loose anything. i have a clownfish 3 firefish and recently got a blue line angelfish(is reef safe. watch it all the time, it only eats zoo's which i don't have) i am running a sump with a filter sock. my tank is full of live rock. i have a skimmer. all of my levels are perfect. check water levels 1 time a week. i do water changes every 3 weeks. and i have high flow.

thanks

 

[duke62]

ok so what kits do you use and what are you checking for.what kind of skimmer and how long has your tank been up and running

 

[modf1000]

i have the api master test kit and everything. my tank has been running a little over a yr. i have a aquamaxx skimmer

 

[Galantra]

Modf, when they say more information you gotta be a tad bit more detailed
Here is an example:
What brand skimmer
What pumps and placements
How much rock per # you have
The exact result from your test kits which will really help more
Do you have a refug or sump
Are you using gfo, carbon
Are you dosing chemicals like calcium? These are important things that can help determine what is going wrong

 

[kakado]

What are your perfect levels?

I am aiming for the following, but this is a low nutrient system:

Alk 7-8 (alk must be rock solid)
Mg 1320
Ca 420
SG 1.025
Temp 26 degrees (I'm in south Africa ) no3 and po4 must be as close to 0 on our hobby test kits

These are other suggested parameters for SPS:

Ballpark suggested parameters, bear in mind stability is FAR more important than hitting numbers

Alk- 7-8(stability is more important than the actual number)
Ca-380- 450 (stability is more important than the actual number)
Mg- 3x CA (Mg is 3 x more than Ca)
Potassium- 400 (if you even test it)
Ph- 8-8.4 or so
Temp- around 25
SG- 1.025 (stability is more important than the actual number)
Nitrates- under 5ppm
Phosphates- as low as possible. Remember most test kits are not accurate at the level we want.

 

[modf1000]

my skimmer is an aquamaxx. i have close to 125lbs of rock. i run a sump. i run carbon. i put calcium and most of the other kent products that feed some of the corals. but i put in calcium more. dont know the exact numbers on the test kit but according to the chart i was perfect.

 

[duke62]

api is garbage.once a week is fine i do 3x just to be sure.your angel fish will eat stoney corals.its not the best choice of fish for SPS.get salifert test kits or im using red sea.i didnt like them at first but they are doing well for me now.

 

[howze01]

125lbs in a 57g? Do you test for nitrates?

 

[modf1000]

thanks ill get that test kit. what store would have that kit? also do you have any tips of how to get the angel out?

 

[howze01]

I also like using the Hannah Checkers. Right now I have a calcium, phosphate, nitrate and Alk kit from Hannah. Pretty much as accurate as you can get.

 

[duke62]

those kits are not cheap.best bet is to order online.also do you keep that 40 turned up all the way.if so way to much flow.my boy has a 125 and uses a mp40..

 

[kakado]

I know that it is essential to test before dosing. So go for salifert test kits, alternatively have your water tested by your LFS once a week.

You can also ask a friend to test for you.