Tell me about Pavona Maldivensis

[tebstan]

Can SPS do well under T5 lighting? I have a 90 with 6 T5s.

The tank is only 8 months old. Am I jumping the gun, should I wait longer?

I've only tried SPS once, it didn't go well. But I'm certain the specimen wasn't in good condition. Hindsight is 20/20, eh? I've learned since then to be a bit more patient and choosy. Everyone makes an impulse purchase they regret at least once...



I can't find a lot of specifics about Pavona. Recommended Kh is 8-12, mine is 13. Recommended calcium is 450, mine is 500. Salinity is right on, as well as pH, etc. It likes strong flow, I can arrange that. I can't find how long sweeper tentacles might be, if any. It's "semi-aggressive."

Can anyone recommend a good site to do some reading, one that has some actual detail? WetWebMedia has some various species listed, but not a lot of specific detail.

[Salty]

It's all about positioning in the tank, with 6 bulbs it should be just fine. As to tank age, my first SPS went in when my tank was 2 months old, it's still there and almost 1/2" bigger. Just stay on top of your parameters and it's all good. As to Calcium and buffing capacity, you can never have too much in my opinion. As long as you don't precip it out, high calcium don't hurt nuthin'.

[BIGBIRD123]

Maintaining ph is also critical, no large swings. I have noticed the difference with the tank now versus the previous ones. My corals are growing like weeds because I have been able to keep the ph steady.

[tebstan]

Everytime I test it's the same.... but every time I test it's the same time of day... I need to look into that. Thanks, Steve.

Keep the comments coming! I want to be talked into this purchase, lol.

[BIGBIRD123]

My ph is 8.4 most of the day, which is good but it used to swing as low as 7.7 at night. Now 7.7 is not too bad but the swing from 8.4 to 7.7 is .7, which is not so good. I use Kalkwasser to maintain my ph at night and my ph overnight is 8.1-8.2. Maintaining that small of a swing is what has helped my tank out and my corals love it.

[BIGBIRD123]

Get a ph monitor and just test every other week to back-up the monitor. A properly calibrated ph monitor, to me, is a must for keeping SPS.

[tebstan]

Are those pricey? I'm a newbie, and I don't make big $$.

I usually test between 9-10pm, when I get home from work. My tank is on my schedule, so that's right around the time the lights go out. I just tested, and it's the same as always, 8.4. What time of day should I test to see if there is a swing?

[BIGBIRD123]

I would say test around 4 pm (mid day) and 4 am (mid morning), maybe on your day off. These times should be the best times to check the swing...

[BIGBIRD123]

You can usually get one for less than $100 (new), sometimes less $60 (used), but it is a critical piece of equipment. Nobody ever said this hobby was cheap...lol

[tebstan]

You can usually get one for less than $100 (new), sometimes less $60 (used), but it is a critical piece of equipment. Nobody ever said this hobby was cheap...lol

I allow myself a monthly budget so I don't go nuts. The last few months have been boring supplies. I want to buy cool stuff! :wink_smile:

I'll make plans to test the pH for swing. That's some interesting late night plans, eh? LOL. I'll have the test tube and syringe at the ready.

[BIGBIRD123]

that's why it is so cool to have the monitor. when I get up late night to go to the...you'll find out when you get old too, but I look at the monitor.

[BIGBIRD123]

right now my ph is 8.19...

[Salty]

I check mine right before and at the end of my main photoperiod. Before gives me my low, after gives me my high, I run my fuge 24hrs. I never swing more than .1 these days, side effect of using our tapwater down here, SUPER high in Bicarbonate.

[BIGBIRD123]

I reverse cycle my lights. Of course, though I have a 70w 14k MH on my fuge...lol

[Salty]

curse you and your sunpod!!! LOL

[tebstan]

I check mine right before and at the end of my main photoperiod. Before gives me my low, after gives me my high, I run my fuge 24hrs. I never swing more than .1 these days, side effect of using our tapwater down here, SUPER high in Bicarbonate.

Very interesting...
I'll admit, I still use tap... I'm kinda small, and my tank it kinda big.. it's hard enough to do water changes without heavy jugs. Someday I'll invest in an RO unit, but so far I haven't had any problems to justify it. Water quality is pristine, and no algae problems. I've only got mushrooms, zoas, ricordeas, a colt coral, devil's hand, clam, and some acans so far. Also a few feather dusters, coco worms, a tube anemone, and just added a galaxy coral. Everything is doing well. The galaxy is new, but looks good.

I'm scared to take that next step into something harder. The galaxia I thought would be that next step, but it's easier than than the acans and appears to be doing well.

[Salty]

before going nuts with SPS, the best advice I could give you is to invest in quality Calcium, Magnesium, dKh, and pH test kits. Salifert is the industry standard here, I've used the Elos, it's accurate but complicated. As long as you get accurate tests, maintaining water quality/levels will take you just a minute or two a day.

[BIGBIRD123]

best advice for SPS and Steve knows this...stay outa my way...lmao