SPS tanks?

[chriswho]

Just out of curiosity, are SPS tanks largely hinged on equipment and setups like algal scrubber, fuges, sumps, reactors, etc. and if so couldn't almost anyone who could afford these along with the proper lighting have a succesful SPS tank? I'm just a little fuzy and thought someone could probably explain in more detail the complications of SPS.

[BigAl07]

Many of those things you mentioned aide (to some degree) in GREAT water quality.

SPS are much more demanding in many respects but there's nothing really "magical" about keeping them. Normally it's an "advanced" hobbyist because they have learned the needed skills to maintain these high standards. I would imagine with deep pockets and patience anyone could LEARN to keep them and prosper but a lot of it comes from years or trial and error.

[michael_cb_125]

Not Nessecarily. There are many people that have all the equipment to have a great SPS tank, cant keep an acro alive. It all comes down to the amount of time and dedication you are willing to put into the tank. The equipment alone cannot run an SPS tank. It takes a combination of equipment and great husbandry own the aquarists part.
If you can get a tank up running and stabilized, keeping SPS corals is not that hard. The keys are water quality, lighting, and flow. And actually lighting is at the bottom of the totem pole. First is Water Quality, then flow, and finally lighting. There are other elements that are necessary and they fall in between the major three. (Minerals, vitamins, food, aggression, aquarium placement, coral placement, and many others)

~Michael

[chriswho]

When you say minerals and vitamins you mean just testing your parameters and adjusting accordingly? It seems to me like I could probably handle it, maybe not right away, as my funds wouldn't permit it, but on a whole it doesn't seem like it would be entirely too difficult. I dedicate quite a bit of time to my tank already and I am way understocked. My current setup would not support SPS I'm sure but it is definitely something that I will look into in the future. I'm all about researching each corals specific requirements as to tank placement, flow, supplements, possible aggression. All of that jazz. I know there's not alot of movement from the flow, but I think it would be a worthy sacrifice to have a tank full of SPS. When you look at them you can just tell the person who grew them had a vision, and knew how to follow through. Beauty, simply put. If you guys, or anyone else have any information that may prove useful to me in the future please feel free to share, as I will definitely appreciate it. Much thanks.

[michael_cb_125]

When I say Vitamin and Minerals I mean, Calcium, Magnesium, etc.
Many people dose trace Minerals, but IMO this can be accomplished through regular water changes. Without the proper levels of vitamins and Minerals, SPS corals will not grow as they should and will have weak skeletons.
In an SPS tank the key is to have a very low nutrient level. When the water is full of nutrients, not only does it effect water quality, but it also reduces the amount of light that the corals receive.
~Michael

[BigAl07]

Chris the BEST piece of advice is to suggest you go slow.... very slow... and learn along the way. SPS is a natural 'progression" for some aquarists. Others never seem to get "there" even though they try. It's like growing plants. Some people can grow lovely breath-taking flowers but can't grow enough food from a garden to keep a rabbit alive. It's just a matter of time, patience and learning as you go. In time if everything else falls into place as your husbandry skills are acquired then SPS could be within your grasp. For now you need to learn the very basics and let that be your foundation into the future of your tank(s).

[michael_cb_125]

BigAl is exactly right. You do need to go slow. For someone new to corals, all the equipment in the world combined with much time, will not be enough. It takes experience to get the whole SPS thing down.
~Michael

[chriswho]

Thanks guys. I've been taking things pretty slow. I haven't added any new livestock since I bought the clown, BTA, Brain, Candy Cane, and Zoos. I bought my tank from an individual on Craig's list. When I got it there was some Cyano on the rocks that I'm still trying to get rid of through skimming, regular water changes, and I have some new lights on the way. Hopefully this will help. It will probably be quite a while before I can even look at a new tank, and I'm confident with the rate I'm learning now that I will be able to have the SPS tank of my dreams, but like I said, it will be quite a while.

[surplusrifleguy]

I started with easy to keep soft and LPS corals. Then I tried one SPS and it did great. Now I have many different kinds of SPS's including acros and I haven't lost one yet. I've had a few close calls, that taught me a lot. My setup for my SPS's (34 gallon tank, t-5 power compact lighting, prizm skimmer, chiller) isn't what most people would consider great but everything's growing like weeds. I've found the following to be the most important in keeping a healthy tank and SPS's-

1. Water flow - I have two pump outlets pointed in different directions and 3 koralia #1 powerheads for great water movement.

2. Lighting - I have two t-5 size power compacts, they are 50/50 bulbs and I think they are 55 watts each. They are not intense, but they are obviously working great.

3. Constant / frequent water changes. My tank is 34 gallons and I change 4 gallons every 3 days. I also vacuum the sand lightly.

4. Keep the fish load very, very low. I have 3 very small fish that don't need to be fed but once a week or so. They also feed off of my rock and copepods.

5. Don't add anything except Kalk. Only add it when needed. The frequent water changes supply all needed vitamins / nutrients etc. Calcium is the only thing I have a problem keeping up with. That's why I use Kalk. I haven't had good luck with Calcium Chloride (algae issues).

6. A chiller is a must. I've found the temp must be very stable. I keep mine at 77 degrees.

7. Keep your filter pads clean. Build up creates problems with water quality.

8. Bump up Calcium and alk. I run mine at 440 and 11 -12.

Other equipment might make it easier for a beginner, but what I have works just fine. It's amazing to watch those SPSs grow. I swear I can almost see daily growth on all my acros. Also following the above guidlines, my nitrates and phosphates are almost always zero(and I don't use phosphate removers) and I don't have a refugium. Only water changes. This is my experience and it seems to grow great SPS's.

[Adam Black]

This is my Sps tank.http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...5G14Kbulbs.jpg
Very young tank. That pic was taken a few months ago. The tank is now 6 months old. About 3 months ago a MH bulb blew up and I didn't have the cash to buy a new bulb so the tank went with out lighting for about a week. During that week the weather got really HOT. A few of my corals bleached and a few browned out really bad. Since then I bought extra bulbs and fans to keep the temp stable. O and a AC jr to turn the lights off if the water gets to a certain degree, as well as controlling fans and etc. I do weekly water changes, 5 g. It's all about the husbandry, like stated above. Being ready for anything is also good. Color is starting to come back. I would wait till you had a bulletproof system.

ATO is a must.
Control temp.
testing and adding additives.
Water flow. I have about 50x turnover and I would like more!
Fuge is nice, But a big skimmer could help out alot, Or vise a versa.
REMEMBER TO DIP EVERY CORAL YOU GET! You don't want pest!

[chriswho]

Beautiful tank, Adam. I'll be taking all of your advice and take things very slowly. I was just wanting to know what helped with all of your success.

[Varga]

I second deep pockets

Here's what you'd call a real SPS tank.

Dang's Reef

[Adam Black]

Originally Posted by Varga

I second deep pockets

Here's what you'd call a real SPS tank.

Dang's Reef

Dang Varga that's a real Sps tank

[chriswho]

That is a nice tank. I bbelieve i've seen it before while I was snooping around.

[michael_cb_125]

This is a real SPS tank. And my inspiration for my Elos 70

~Michael