What did you change that dramatically improve SPS growth?

[skatezen]

I was just wondering if you could mention an improvement that you all made to you systems that seemed to prompt growth on your sps colonies/frags. I've had my system set up now for 8 months and I want to weed out some softies and maybe even my anemones and concentrate on SPS. My current set up is

Tank
AGA 46 bow
10-gallon sump
CPR hang on refugium (small)
Aqua-C Urchin with Maxijet 1200
Total water capacity is about 50-55 gallons
Yes I use RODI

4"-5" Southdown Sand bed
40 lbs of LR


Water flow:
On each side I have 2 U-tubes and a SCWD in the middle powered be a CAP-2200 at about 500-600gph estimated

Lighting:
2-175w XM 20K (10 Hours)
2-55w PC Actinic 03 (12 hours)
Actinics on 1 hour before MH

Water Params:
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate <1
Calcium 420-440
Alk 10 dKh
Salinity 1.024
Temp 80 F

I dose Kalk and Seachem Reef Builder to adjust CA and Alk levels (Although not always stable)...I think this is where my problem is.

Feeding:
Cyclopeeze for SPS 3 times a week, Phyto once a week, Formula 2, Angel Food, Sipurluna Flake and Prime Reef Flake from time to time. Also occasionally live Brine for a Snack
Inhabitants:
2 Perculas
1 Coral Beauty Angel (Does Not Bother Any SPS or LPS)
1 Firefish Goby
1 Yellow Watchman Goby
1 Red Pistol Shrimp
1 Cleaner Shrimp
2 Peppermint Shrimp
1 Boxer Crab
Various Snails and Hermits
2 BTAs
Xenia
Mushrooms and Ricordias
Green Star Polyps
Pink-tipped Torch
Purple Goniopora (my favorite mistake)
Various Zoos
Green, Orange, Supposedly Blue and Lavender Digitata
Purple with Green polyp Digitata
Small Green Table Acro
Small Pink Bird?s nest
Purple, Orange Montipora Cap.
Yellow Cup Coral

I also want to note that I have been seeing some discoloration in the, Orange, Supposedly Blue and Lavender Digitata, Purple with Green polyp Digitata (almost all brown now), Small Green Table Acro, Small Pink Bird?s nest, and Yellow Cup Coral. They all seem to be turning browner and they are not as brilliant as when I first received them. Basically what I want to do is regain the color loss and add growth. I have been experiencing good growth on the Caps as they have almost doubled in size. I am thinking of switch over to the XM 10K bulbs, but would love recommendations on anything that will fire on an M57 ballast. Also if I were to go with a Calcium reactor what am I looking at for a price tag? I'd need the whole setup CO2 and everything. Do these also keep your Alk inline too? I'm not too familiar with the more high tech equipment, as I couldn't afford it all when I was in college.

Thanks in advance,
Jeff

 

[ScottM]

jeff,
What did you change that dramatically improve SPS growth?
consistancy was the key for me.
try to have as little fluctuation as possible.
ex: when you replace with make up water does it match the chemestry of your current conditions? DKH? CA? PH?
IO salt may require a boost of DKH and CA to match you tank conditions.
magnesium might be an issue as well.
how clear is your water? running carbon might help polish the water.
phosphates?

my biggest issue right now is my temp.
how much does yours swing from lights on till off? same with PH?

as for a reactor setup....
they can run anywhere from 100.00 to 800.00 for the reactor
~100-140 for the tank (depending on size)
~80-100 for the regulator
~100-200 for PH controller/monitor
~20-40 for name brand media

you should see a big difference in stability with a reactor over hand dosing a tank. the do make dosing stations too:
http://www.aquadirect.com/store/customer/product.php?productid=188&cat=143&page=1

 

[Chuck Spyropulos]

Ensure that your Calcium is 400 to 450 and your Alkalinity is 8 to 11 dkH