SPS Newb

[arlene1995]

Hi!!!
I might be setting up a 20 gallon High tank... I was thinking about doing a tank with only coral. It would be bare bottom with minimal live rock. The majority of structure would be egg crate. What would be my bare minimum light for SPS? I was thinking a few Acropora and maybe some Monti Caps... I have a 65w Coralife Aqualight. Would that even get me close? I do have the ability to purchase a better light, I just don't have a budget for Halides. Thanks for any suggestions!!!

 

[rotarymagic]

If you don't have the budget for halides or individually reflected T5HOs.. stay away from sps... sorry, but why waste your time and money if they'll die under that light?
I got my 150w pendant on my 15gallon for $100... included the PFO pendant, icecap ballast, and a brand new 150w 14,000k phoenix bulb.. keep looking on local forums, craigslist, etc.
I'd still say you should have aragonite sand for buffering properties.

 

[arlene1995]

Hmmmm.... For a pendant at a deal like that, I could probably do it. I could probably get enough once a year to replace the bulb...
I can do the Aragonite sand too. Any other suggestions as I have no experience with SPS?

 

[acroaddict]

I suggest u should research a lot. trust me. i went through 2 sps tanks n it didnt work out becuz i lacked on knowledge. rite now im keeping my 45g mixed reef in good condition. i know alot more now then i did then. ive started almost 3 years ago n still need to learn alot.

 

[wattsupdoc]

Probably the single most important thing for SPS's is stability...You want your parameters to be a stable as possible. In a 20 it'll be much more difficult to do this. But definitely can be done. I would suggest a sump/fuge for added volume, an ATO for SG stability, and some method to dose calcium and carbonate automatically. Either kalkwasser dosed in some fashion, or better yet a calcium reactor. It is important to have these stable as well as SG and PH. It can be done without the use of these things, but you will need to be much more on top of things......

 

[rotarymagic]

2 dosing pumps dispensing randy's 2 part new formula on timers and an ATO would definitely make keeping sps quite easy.. Lots of light and lots of flow are necessary too.

 

[nycbob]

if ur water parameters r correct, then next u will need a better light. i'd go with a mh pendent since u hv a high tank. u can get one for $225 or less online.

 

[gatorwpb]

One more thing as I agree with everyone else on here...
fish poo is one of the best "foods" for sps corals and so fishless sps tanks sometimes dont have the success or coloration that sps tanks with fish have. Obviously, the food waste needs to be removed from the system quickly, but sps benefit from having some particulates that can be filtered from the water. Dosing additives may make up for the lack of fish poo, but that is an additional cost and bit of knowledge that must be had.

 

[texasmetal]

There's been study on the subject, and the conclusion was that water flow and stability are a bit more important than lighting, but still... if you are going to blow money on nice SPS pieces, you should blow the money on nice lighting first. Anything worth doing, as the old saying goes, is worth doing right.
I would suggest montipora's to start off with.

 

[wattsupdoc]

You have to be sure to state that lighting is VERY important though. Your statement makers it seem like lighting is not that important. When for good growth and coloration, it is very important. I do agree with the statement you made though. Stability it very important for best results. Adding my calcium rector made a tremendous difference on my SPS growth.

 

[turningtim]

There is also a line of thinking that Food is what is most important in keeping SPS........
Whats up Doc?

 

[wattsupdoc]

HEY TIM!!!!

How are you? Long time no see huh? I am very glad to see you!

Yes food cannot be forgotten either... Which order, if there is such a thing, is not(at least to me) clear. I suppose that may be quite disputable for some time yet. I myself do believe that amino acids are a very important. I simply use vitachem and Seachems Reefplus supplements twice a week. Mix 'em with my fish food and some frozen cyclops. Oyster eggs on wed....(I don't know why wed.

It just seems right LOL)
These animals really do rely on many things in order to thrive. That said, not providing all of these elements, Food, flow, lighting, stability can really hinder their growth and or beauty. Providing these to the best of ones ability is essential to being a successful SPS keeper....Keeping your fingers crossed helps also.