SPS Growing Tips

[manny]

Does anybody have any tips for faster growth of SPS corals. Supplements, etc.? Right now my parameters are pretty much right where I want em. Now I'm just lookin for some extra tips from some of you guys. Here's my parameters as of now.
Calcium: 430
Alkalinity: 2.63 meq/L
Specific Gravity: 1.025

Cyclopeeze every other day alternating with DT's and regular fish feedings once every day.

Any tips that you guys can think of?
Oh yeah. 250 W 20K Metal Halides with 2X39W T5 Actinics over a 38 gallon aquarium

[reefer]

i agree with joshua, you alk is way low for sps corals.

sps corals are based upon a few simple things, calcium and carbonate being really important. its nice that you have your calcium level up, but the lack of the buffering capacity of your tankwater needs improvement. your alk level should be around a 7 or 8. by maintianing a higher alk level, you will provide the much needed carbonate for the sps corals.
8)

[Jimnorris]

Alk needs to be higher. What is your water flow like and most important for major sps grow (IMO) what is you magnesium at?
Jim

[manny]

My alkalinity is at 7.4 dKH which is the value you are referring to reefer? How much higher do you keep your alkalinity at Jim? Right now my water flow is pretty good. Alot better than it used to be. I got an Iwaki MD20RLT coming from my sump hooked up to a SCWD and I'm gonna be adding another one in a closed loop pretty soon when I have the time. I've got all the parts and pump, I just gotta put it all together. As for magnesium, I've never tested for that. What do you usually keep yours at? What supplement do you use to keep it where you want it?

Also, what about the 10K XM? Any faster growth out of them compared to the 20K that you've noticed yet? They're supposed to be even better than the Iwasaki for growth right?

[Jimnorris]

I keep my alk at 10. My magnesium I keep on the high side of the scale 1500. I use ESV products. Sounds like your flow is good. IMO for the best coral growth a 6500k bulb is best---but all your sps corals maybe brown??????? 20000k bulbs produce outstanding color and 10,000k is middle!
Jim

[MikeP]

Chemical warfare is a big factor too IME. If you have a mixed tank with sps and soft corals the soft corals may not outright kill the SPS but they do put a lot of toxic substances in the water which will stunt growth. If you go that route run carbon or dow water changes periodically.

[captexas]

MikeP - that is an interesting subject. I actually had all my acro frags die off at one time and could never figure out why. My montiporas were ok, just the acros. In your experiences, what softies tend to cause the most problems?

[manny]

Wow, thats crazy about the bulb difference. So you have to choose what you want more, color or growth. I'm gonna get a magnesium kit as soon as I can and test that.

MikeP, how long do you recommend running carbon for?

[MikeP]

Chris - In my experience sarcophytons , nepthea and colt corals are some of the worst for chemical warfare but there are others I'm sure.

Manny - I run carbon for about 3weeks out of every month. Some run less, some 24x7. I recently took most of the soft corals out of my large tank so we shall see if it helps growth.

Not to make it sound like you can't mix them just that many of the compounds released by softies (google terpenes for one) will seriously stunt their growth.

[::pete::]

I removed all my leathers a week ago. The sps have better polyp extension and the water actually looks clearer. A mix can be done, but will take some work.