[jackson6745]

Huge topic. I don't know where to start but there is much to be discussed. Someone spark up this discussion

[lfsmarineguy]

there's more to it than "discuss". There are many different sps and while some may color up under certain conditions, others may bleach out and die. The easiest solution is to know where the coral was collected from specifically (depth, water temp, water movement, etc.) but this is often impossible. There are a few broad statements that do apply to most sps though. Most sps come from high light, high flow, low nutrient parts of the reef (close to the surface). Out of 1,000 reefs studied in a ummm....study showed that the average temp on wild reefs was 82 and change and the average salinity was 1.026 and change (from what I understand the study was a global test and not just the pacific). I forget what book this was in but I am almost certain it was one of Eric Borneman's coral books, I think the one with the green anchor on the cover. So, rather than try to make each individual coral happy by changing tank parameters constantly, the best we can do is try and keep our tanks within a certain corridor of tolerance for our corals.

	SPS Small Polyped Scleractinians - Sometimes known as Small Polyped Stony corals. These are hard corals that have extremely small polyps. They are typically on the difficult side and require Metal Halide lighting or dense Power Compact or T5 arrays. These corals are prized for their rareness and ability to be easily fragged into multiple colonies.

[jackson6745]

Quote: Originally Posted by lfsmarineguy there's more to it than "discuss". There are many different sps and while some may color up under certain conditions, others may bleach out and die. The easiest solution is to know where the coral was collected from specifically (depth, water temp, water movement, etc.) but this is often impossible. There are a few broad statements that do apply to most sps though. Most sps come from high light, high flow, low nutrient parts of the reef (close to the surface). Out of 1,000 reefs studied in a ummm....study showed that the average temp on wild reefs was 82 and change and the average salinity was 1.026 and change (from what I understand the study was a global test and not just the pacific). I forget what book this was in but I am almost certain it was one of Eric Borneman's coral books, I think the one with the green anchor on the cover. So, rather than try to make each individual coral happy by changing tank parameters constantly, the best we can do is try and keep our tanks within a certain corridor of tolerance for our corals.

BLAH BLAH BLAH. You have decent SPS colors under PC's which is hardly reproducing nature. Borneman is an a$$

"the best we can do is try and keep our tanks within a certain corridor of tolerance for our corals"

We are way beyond that statement. Keeping a low nutrient tank these days is easy will all the great equipment these days. There are many ways to manipulate colors in a reef tank i.e. photoperiod length, potassium level, nutrient level, coral placing, lighting etc...






Turd I is

	PC Power Compact Lighting, typically used in lower light aquariums supporting soft corals, LPS, and fish. Their low cost and cooler operating temperatures are an excellent choice for beginner aquariums and smaller tanks.

	SPS Small Polyped Scleractinians - Sometimes known as Small Polyped Stony corals. These are hard corals that have extremely small polyps. They are typically on the difficult side and require Metal Halide lighting or dense Power Compact or T5 arrays. These corals are prized for their rareness and ability to be easily fragged into multiple colonies.

[ShaunW]

I've recently re-done my husbandry this is what I have done to color up my tank:

Stop messing with it. I am trying to limit the introduction of my hand into the tank, since I think that we introduce inhibitory/problematic "things" from our skin.

QT all additions, i.e. no pest introductions. Pest have hurt me too many times already.

Create Tank stability though automation.

pH consistency above 8.0 (8.2 is better) along with high alk/ca. I got rid of my calcium reactor which was keeping my pH at 8.0. The scientific literature points to lower pH interfering with calcification.

Feeding different foods at night during maximal polyp extension. Attempting to provide the nutrients (amino acids) missing from strict photosynthetic processes.

Added an external DSB.

[SlamaJama]

I would agree with the statment that u cannot cover all the bases with every corals prefered enviromental conditions......i think the word husbandry is the key....ive done everything i could to keep the nutrients down and my water clean, ive added a carbon reactor, phos. reactor and along with the 2 part additive ive incorporated kalk and potasium with my top off...altho over the heat of the summer most my corals whr brown, some pieces have now colored up....

[Kedd]

Solbby has the right idea to start, (Stop F---ing with the tank) was some of the best advise I ever got.


Kedd

[House of Laughter]

Three words!!!

FEED YOR FISH!!

House

[Wes]

i think people tend to go overboard on the "low nutrient" idea and starve their tank. Keep the bad nutrients in check (P04) and feed away. That is my theory anyway as my corals have been lightening up. I think i have been too paranoid of overfeeding etc. because it has been burned in my head that nutrients need to be non existant.

My plan of action is to try the Ultralith Zeo system which will allow me to keep nutrients in check, add amino acids, etc., and increase feeding and bioload.

I know zeo is controversial to some, but I am going to give it a try. It should allow me to feed my tank alot while keeping the bad nutrients in check.

[ShaunW]

Quote: Originally Posted by Wes i think people tend to go overboard on the "low nutrient" idea and starve their tank.

My bacterial studies are pointing to this indeed being true.

[noodleman]

what do sps eat anyways??

	SPS Small Polyped Scleractinians - Sometimes known as Small Polyped Stony corals. These are hard corals that have extremely small polyps. They are typically on the difficult side and require Metal Halide lighting or dense Power Compact or T5 arrays. These corals are prized for their rareness and ability to be easily fragged into multiple colonies.