White tips on SPS

[Llorgon]

Originally Posted by WarDog

I just skimmed your tank thread and I think you might be going a bit too fast. When starting a new tank you need to be patient with the cycle first. Then start stocking with fish, and lastly coral. You also seemed to go a little gung ho with sps. You definately need to have all your test kits, parameters and chemicals for dosing in order before tackling sps.... at least if you are new to salt water. Also, regular water changes with IO (10 - 25% every 2 or 3 weeks) should keep your Alk around 8 to 10, depending on your coral load.

Ahh I thought I was going slow! But I guess I need to go slower.

I went the other way around coral and then fish after the tank cycled...

I change the water once a week. But only 10 gal water change. Probably need to do a bigger water change?

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[WarDog]

How many gals is the system volume?

[Llorgon]

75 gal tank + 20 gal sump

[WarDog]

I would do a couple 20 gals a week w/c and see what effects it has. 10 gals per week should be good but you need to get your parameters up.

[gregzz4]

Get those other test kits and test all your params.
Start a log for your tank. PM me with your e-mail if you want a copy of my Excel spreadsheet.

Corals need fish poop, or expensive additives.

My thoughts on params;
Alk 8-8.5
Cal 400-420
Mag 1350
Nitrates 1-10 Max. 5 is good. Mine is 0
Phosphates 0.03. Mine fluctuates between 0.00 and 0.002
The balance between NO3 and PO4 is key to coral success, so read about it.

The other key is stability. As Frogger wrote, when your Alk drops, so does your Ca.
Get kits, test 2-3 days in a row to find what is being used, then calculate what your tank needs daily.
Use the online calculator if you can find your product on the list
http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html

For now, get some stuff from J&L and balance your tank using the online calculator. Get the simple to use stuff to start with EI: liquids or easy to measure powders. Once you get a grip on that I'll teach you about the home-made powders.

I'll tell you about how to use baking soda, and I'm selling calcium in bulk.
But this will come after you understand the whole process.