LPS in 3 month old tank

Hey,

I have a 21 gallon tank that's 3 months old, all levels are good and I've been doing pWC every week since it cycled,is it old enough to add some LPS? My lighting are power compacts!

 

what are you paramaters?

ammonia
nitrate
nitrite
DHK
calcium
ph
magnisem
salinity
and what type of Power compacts?

 

I agree with RC wondering what your parameters are as well as lighting. But as for the age of tank – you *may* be able to add a LPS to your system, what else is in your tank? And what LPS are you interested in?

Calcium and strontium and trace elements are important and need to be maintained in my opinion – do you test and dose Strontium and calcium? Or are you relying on your partial water changes to accomplish this?

I guess I am wondering of your experience level as well. LPS can be added at 3 months if your tank has been stable and you know what to test and dose for and you know how and when to feed your new pet.

 

Agree with magnett. You may want to upgrade lights as well.

 

Start with something easy like a small frag of acans.

PC lighting will be fine for most LPS in a small tank. As suggested it's a good idea to get into the routine of testing.

What salt mix are you using?

 

It would be good to see those parameters request by RC.

Generally speaking weekly water changes are sufficient to handle parameter maintenance with LPS as long as you still test fairly often and dose when low. If everything is stable then you should be able to add in LPS slowly. You will need to change the bulbs every 6 months religiously and will need to find out which require higher light and place in your tank accordingly.

 

Thanks all for taking the time to read and come back:

Amm - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 10
PH - 8
Sal -1.025

I test on a weekly basis but only on the above including phos, but dont test for mag and cal - i assume this would be via a kit, if so what would be the best to get....and info on this would help!

I really want to get this right, and IF my tank is ready i will add Zoas or something hardy and right for what my tank/me provides, lights are 36w T5 compacts....

Thanks again all, its a fun learning curve and I am thankful for guidance.

R

Salt is pre-mixed from the LFS so dont know.....

 

I like Seachem test kits, I do not really like API kits, especially test strips.

For basic marine you will want Ca, alk, magnesium.

I will let someone else chime in on the lighting, but you might want to provide how many bulbs and brand of bulb.

 

Do you mean reef? You don't need to worry about those three if your tank is fish only.

There is no such thing a a 36watt t5 compact. odds are you have PC bulbs.

 

I have included a pic, the lights are interpet and say 36w T5...?

What additional things do I need to check before I add coral..?