sps question

[nemoisfound]

Hi, I just got my first 2 sps frags 2 weeks ago from a local sps guy, frags are a pink birdsnest (big) and a Tenius. Over the past few weeks i noticed that the color is starting to fade on both and the tissue on the Tenius is receding. I currently have soft corals and some lps frags in my 30gal tank, and only now started to dose calcium. My lighting consist of 2-95w power quads, and was wondering if that was the problem? do i need MH or dose something?

 

[mojoreef]

Yep those corals are very light demanding, also they are very delicate, so having them with the softies is probibly stressing them also, that and you really need to keep an eye on your parameter (calcium, alk, and so on) before really attemping to care for them.


Mike

 

[nemoisfound]

here are my parameters:
alk: high
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0.1
nitrate:0
ph:8.4
calcium: none

the test I am using is a Red Sea Marine lab test, and I can't seem to find my calcium test right now. But I am sure the reading would be low, I went on vacation for a couple of months and didn't have my sister dose the calcium. she was scared enough with just the water change and feedings, so I just started to dose calcium again last night. Nitrite and alk level look high so I am going do a water change right now. Do I need to test anything else?

 

[wrightme43]

Phosphate is always nice to know. Calcium is important as well. Dosing with out knowing what the level is to start with can be very dangerous. IMO. I am sure you already know that. LOL. I was able to keep merlina, acropora, and montipora under four 65 watt pc. bulbs in a 29 gallon tank they were all transplanted to my 75 with four 96 watt pc bulbs. I am going to buy MH two 250w Mh, with two 110w vho. I have 3 acros, two hydnophora, merlina, and montipora growing under pc right now. It seems to be ok but I know growth and color would increase with higher quality lighting. It is however my understanding that coraline algae grows better if you start out with less light and build up to MH. (this was not the plan, just a happy coincedence) You are lucky to have someone who took your tank seriously enough to worry about what happened and wanted to do it right. Steve

 

[nemoisfound]

Wrightme43: do you think it could be shock from the lighting change? I was told that the corals were living in the tank for a year with 2 MH, I don't know the wattage? I am thinking that getting MH is a good idea for my corals health.. whats the MH rule for wattage to tank size?

 

[wrightme43]

Thanks, I dont think there is any "rule" about lighting to tank size. I think as much as you can put on the tank with out going over 84 degrees F. is the rule. LOL. If I had a 30 gal cube I would probley put a 150-175 watt pendent over the top with a Compact Flor. Atinic over the very back of the tank. There are much wiser heads here than mine. Try and find a guy named Curt Swearing. He is a very helpful person who can answer your questions better than me. Yes lighting change could definately shock your corals. That is taking care by differnt ways, layers of screens, with removal of one at a time, or varying the closeness of the light to the top of the water. I was talking about your sister taking care of your tank for you. That was very nice of her. Steve