Suggestions on husbandry for SPS

michika · #1 10-18-2007, 03:03 PM

Borneman's Corals book is a good starter. It gives you an overview of corals in the wild, as well as a little more specific information on particular species.

I here good things about this one, but I haven't read it yet, Book of Coral Propagation: Reef Gardening for Aquarists by Anthony Calfo.

There are also some good articles out there if you are interested in those.

howdy20012002 · #2 10-18-2007, 03:13 PM

i hope it is a good book.....lol....
Book of Coral Propagation: Reef Gardening for Aquarists by Anthony Calfo is 199.00 on amazon.com
thanks for the info though...
keep it up.
I am sure I am not the only one that is turning SPS into expensive trinkets.

skylord · #3 10-18-2007, 06:57 PM

I had to have a look at Amazon to see this price for myself....wow

I will sell you my copy for $100 or you could call J&L and get it for $45 like I did.

The book is well worth the $45

Scott

Quote:

Originally Posted by howdy20012002

i hope it is a good book.....lol....
Book of Coral Propagation: Reef Gardening for Aquarists by Anthony Calfo is 199.00 on amazon.com
thanks for the info though...
keep it up.
I am sure I am not the only one that is turning SPS into expensive trinkets.

mr_alberta · #4 10-18-2007, 03:17 PM

The most important things about keeping SPS are water stability, water flow and light. If you are lacking in any one of these areas, you'll have a tough time with keeping SPS colorful and happy. The latter two are the easy ones.

Keeping Salinity, Phosphates, nitrate, nitrites and ammonia in check are the first step. Then keeping up Calcium, Magnesium and Alkalinity demand is the next. Don't forget about Temperture and pH as well...

howdy20012002 · #5 10-18-2007, 03:28 PM

what are you suggestions for them?
salinity?
alkalinit?
magnesium?
calcium?
temperature?
ph? do u actually try to control Ph after the tank is stable?

this is all based on a SPS dominant tank.
thanks again
Neal

I am looking at setting up a very large tank with a very lite bio load of fish in it..so I am not all that concerned about the nitrates, nitrites, ammonia etc.
for coral propogation, would you suggest having no fish in the tank for best case scenario for corals?

michika · #6 10-18-2007, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howdy20012002

what are you suggestions for them?
salinity?
alkalinit?
magnesium?
calcium?
temperature?
ph? do u actually try to control Ph after the tank is stable?

this is all based on a SPS dominant tank.
thanks again
Neal

I am looking at setting up a very large tank with a very lite bio load of fish in it..so I am not all that concerned about the nitrates, nitrites, ammonia etc.
for coral propogation, would you suggest having no fish in the tank for best case scenario for corals?

Here is what I find works for me, lots of other people find other parameters work for them. What I did to select my goal parameters was to read up on tanks that I liked, and to see what they were aiming for.

SG 1.025-1.026
Alkalinity 8-9dKH
magnesium (4x that of Calcium) so I aim for 1600, but I find everything thrives at around 1300-1400 in my system
calcium 420ppm
temperature 78-83
pH 8.0-8.4 I don't try to control for it.

Some people find a high fish bioload feeds their corals. I personally don't subscribe to low-bioload SPS tanks, but its personal choice. I don't do it because I like the look of the fish, and I find that the high bioload (to a point) gives me good colors in my SPS.

howdy20012002 · #7 10-18-2007, 03:53 PM

to be honest, I have never tested my alkalinity in any of my tanks..is it something that actually has to be controlled after the tank is settled?
thanks again for the great responses.
Neal

saltynuts · #8 10-18-2007, 04:55 PM

i have anthony calfo,s book of coral proagation.
i could bring it to you.
and i have a book called reef secrets too

howdy20012002 · #9 10-18-2007, 04:59 PM

from the looks of the reviews, the book is definitely a good buy.
if you are around my part of town and remember it Ed, it would be great to peruse it.
thanks
Neal

untamed · #10 10-18-2007, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howdy20012002

to be honest, I have never tested my alkalinity in any of my tanks..is it something that actually has to be controlled after the tank is settled?
thanks again for the great responses.
Neal

I venture to guess that this is likely the #1 reason that you've had a problem with SPS in the past. SPS need Ca/Alk in order to survive. In an aquarium, they will inevitably use up the available Ca/Alk and die unless you have some sort of Ca/Alk replacement scheme.