When is it safe to add some SPS frags?

[FrankB1]

After the cycle and all parameters are correct, how long before I can attempt some SPS frags (monti and maybe an Acro or two).?

 

[waymack97]

how long has your tank been set up? what size, and how many fish do you have? i'd try a zoo or xenia. what type of lights do you have? i think if you have been set up for 6 to 10 month you should be able to try a sps with little or no problems.
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bailout

 

[FrankB1]

I'm asking for future reference. The tank is not set up yet. Will be in the next month. The tank will be a 20 gal long with 15 gal sump SPS/clam dominated tank. The lighting is ReefOptix 250W HQI Pheonix 14K anywhere from 6 to 12 inches above the water depending on heat issues. The flow is provided by a Seio 620 and a Mag 7 sump return to a 1/2 inch seaswirl with a "Y" outlet fitting for approx 50x turnover. There will be approx 1 inch aragonite oolitic sand and approx 25# Marshall Island LR. The sump will contain an AquaC Urchin Skimmer with MaxiJet1200 pump. The center fuge portion of the sump will have Cheato algae with 1-2 inches Aragonite sand where I can hopfully rasise some pods etc. I plan on 1 True Perc Clown and 1 small basslet approx 2 inches. Inverts will include a Fire shrimp, approx 10-12 snails and 8-10 small redleg hermits. I would also like to add a Crocea Clam in the future.

 

[Ben1]

Some recommend once you get dime sized coraline algea growing. This can be a good way but some tanks with certain high lighting wont grow coralline very well.

Once you can mantain good stable levels of CA/ALK/MG, and temp you should be fine. No P04 and no N03 also. If you can test for any swings in these levels and get them to almost never change you will be ok.

 

[FrankB1]

Thanks Ben.

 

[Anonymous]

Sounds like a great setup plan.

Once the tank is stable you can probably start to add some and then watch your levels.
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Methadone Rehab Forum

 

[Mihai]

I'd say to add them after the algae cycles settled down and everything looks happy and healthy. Of course, at that point you should have low nitrates and phosphates (good exports and water changes).

It seems that you have the lights and water flow covered .

M.