Help keeping sps

Discussion in 'Filters, Pumps, etc..' started by timkatz71, Dec 12, 2014.

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  1. timkatz71

    timkatz71 Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2012
    Messages:
    69
    Location:
    Millstone Twp, NJ
    Ok I have had little success keeping sps, what equipment is a little more than a must have.

    Tank is a 220, 72x24x32
    Running 3 AI SOL blue, and 2 vega color set to around 60% max
    2 mp40w set to 80-90%
    Turbo twist 18? Uv
    1/3 hp chiller
    Lifereef 48" skimmer
    Bubble magus dosing pumps, dosing alk, calcium, mag, photoplex, coralplex, and zooplex daily.
    Running bio pellets and gfo
    Filter socks changed every other week

    Tank temp kept around 72 degrees over the winter, 78 degrees in the summer, but no swings in temp on a daily basis, kept within a degree per day.
    Po4- 0
    Nitrates- .5
    Calcium-480
    Dkh-11
    Ph- 8.4
    Salinity- 1.025
    Magnesium-1480

    Water changes about every three weeks, 50 gallons at a time, total system volume around 400 gallons.

    What am I missing?
     
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  3. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

    Joined:
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    Messages:
    19,652
    Location:
    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    I would try to stay 78-76 all year long 24/7.

    What sps have you tried to keep? What specifically happens to the sps? How long has the tank been running? Can you keep LPS without issue?
     
    Billme, NASAGeek and dandk2261999 like this.
  4. timkatz71

    timkatz71 Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2012
    Messages:
    69
    Location:
    Millstone Twp, NJ
    "Tank" only 8 months, we just moved and I upgraded to larger tank, I did Dave and transfer all water.
    Total system before moving was about 300 gallons, i have not set up frag tank and small displays yet but did go to a larger tank. New sand some additional rock but nothing special like removing and replacing everything. I have hammer head, frog spawn, Duncan's, candy cane, and galexia? I did loose some when I moved, I only had luck with one piece of birds nest, bought as a 1-2" frag and grew to about 8-10" cluster in about a year, slowly has just about died. It is turning brownish color. I have had issues with bleaching but this is different.
    I don't know much as far as names with them because I have not been able to get attached to them yet
     
  5. timkatz71

    timkatz71 Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2012
    Messages:
    69
    Location:
    Millstone Twp, NJ
    Going to slowly start kicking temp up tho starting tonight...
     
  6. Marshall O

    Marshall O Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2012
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    3,517
    Location:
    Central MA
    I agree, the only thing I see is the low temp. I keep mine lower than most, around 76, but I still see decent growth. 72 is definitely lower than I an comfortable running. Once you raise the temp, keep us updated.
     
  7. NASAGeek

    NASAGeek Eyelash Blennie

    Joined:
    Nov 16, 2009
    Messages:
    1,253
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    I agree... 72 seems awfully cold water temp in the winter. I would think 78 fairly constant temp. Out of curiousity, I posted two polls on temperature... what temp does everyone keep their tanks at and how much temperature variation do they allow? Curious to see what the community does...
     
    Last edited: Dec 13, 2014
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  9. timkatz71

    timkatz71 Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2012
    Messages:
    69
    Location:
    Millstone Twp, NJ
    Tank moving up towards 75 tonight... I know I won't see a major change fast, and I'm keeping an eye closely on fish to make sure I'm not moving to fast with it
     
  10. Marshall O

    Marshall O Giant Squid

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Good call. Nothing good happens fast in this hobby!
     
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  11. timkatz71

    timkatz71 Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2012
    Messages:
    69
    Location:
    Millstone Twp, NJ
    Shhhhh... Don't tell anyone, they won't agree or listen, until after trying. "They are the exception "
     
  12. timkatz71

    timkatz71 Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2012
    Messages:
    69
    Location:
    Millstone Twp, NJ
    Fish still looking happy, so far no visible stress on coral... 76 tonight
     
    Billme likes this.