Giving up on SPS!

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by ScubaSteve

SPS can be done in a 20 gallon. I did it for many years. It's just more painful and variable. I'd argue that you could do a sump. Just build one in under the stand. Before you state otherwise I'll retort with: Trust me, you can. Sumps really do make a difference, especially with a good skimmer. I use a skimmer rated for 100 gallons on my 50 gallon tank.

Leathers are probably the worst for allelopathic warfare. GSP is't know for it, but it can and will overgrow SPS if not kept in check. I'd ditch the leathers if you have any. Running carbon can help cut down on this type of warfare and it tends to work better... you know... with a sump

I'm a chemical engineer. I nerd out over parameters and stuff like that. I love knowing the science about everything going on in my tank. I've found that even when parameters are stable in a new tank, all but the most hardy SPS will struggle until the tank is more mature. It's not science, it's ****ing black magic! Drives me nuts! For all purposes, the SPS should be OK if your water is stable but that isn't always the case. Hence the 6 month rule of thumb.

I might be able to chip in a 6" high long sump but skimmer is totally out of question :P And I hate HOB skimmers. Nothing beats the performance of in-sump and good HOBs costs fortune!

I don't have any sort of swing in my tank (white magic perhaps ). I guess SPS are just not for me :P LPS FYI!

[Proteus]

I def start at your lights.

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by Titus99

I def start at your lights.

Yap. I might be getting something this christmas. No halide (I am afraid it might cause heat issue on such a shallow tank) but I am on for a quad t5ho fixture But I might reconsider it since I am giving up on SPS