The Dirty Sps Tank

[Myka]

Originally Posted by jason604

Did u guys have long hair algae problems with higher nitrate? I would rather have pale sps than to have a tank full of algae again. It suffocated so many of my corals.

It's all about balance. You need good enough flow, a good enough skimmer, good enough maintenance practices, and the right critters in the tank to help by pecking at rocks (keeping detritus from settling). Phosphate is troublesome with algae, you want that to stay low.

Saying that, I know two tanks personally that are way overstocked and way, way, way overfed (think 4x what they need). One of those tanks sits around 40-60 ppm nitrate (a few softies) and the other is close to 100 ppm (it's fish only, no skimmer). Neither tank would sustain SPS corals, but there isn't a speck of algae in either tank and both tanks have reef lighting.

[mihaivapler]

Originally Posted by jason604

Did u guys have long hair algae problems with higher nitrate? I would rather have pale sps than to have a tank full of algae again. It suffocated so many of my corals.

Originally Posted by Myka

It's all about balance. You need good enough flow, a good enough skimmer, good enough maintenance practices, and the right critters in the tank to help by pecking at rocks (keeping detritus from settling). Phosphate is troublesome with algae, you want that to stay low.

Saying that, I know two tanks personally that are way overstocked and way, way, way overfed (think 4x what they need). One of those tanks sits around 40-60 ppm nitrate (a few softies) and the other is close to 100 ppm (it's fish only, no skimmer). Neither tank would sustain SPS corals, but there isn't a speck of algae in either tank and both tanks have reef lighting.

It's true.I know a friend who have sps only tank and he keeps the phosphates and nitrates to zero with bio-pelets and on the same kind of sps mine looks better then his
.

[iceman86]

People keep their tanks wiyh nitrates for the corals to feed but you have to keep phosphates low but I wouldnt go over 10 for nitrates. I have tried this approach and it works but you have constant algae and detritus build up. Always cleaning your glass, changing filter socks, vacuuming sandbed, etc and im not a big fan of more maintenace. Now I keep nitrates and phosphates at 0, but I add a few drops of amino acid and the somtimes sps food. A lot less work for me, better colours and growth. All, i do now for maintenace is empty the skimmer cup and wipe a very light dust off the glass every 7-10 days. Let your equipment do the dirty work for you in your tank!