School me on SPS please!

I am ordering the rest of my equiptment this weekend for my 40 breeder. Well sort of, still not sure on lighting!

It is to my understanding that SPS need good various levels of flow, strong lighting (shouldn't be a big issue with the shallow debth of a 40 breeder) and excelent perameters. I believe I have a very good aquascape for coral placement and I used Reefloor special grade for substrate, so placing corals on the sand shouldn't be a problem.

As for corals I would like to have mainly SPS on the upper parts of my rock and some nice softies on the bottom areas (but mainly SPS).

My tank is about 2 months old now and I am getting ready to add some life (my CUC from John). The main question is, is how est. should a tank be before adding SPS? As for paragraph #2, does that all make sence? Do you really need reactors for calcium and a good dosng setup?

A pic of my scape. Will palcing SPS be that tough?

 

What you want is steady parameters within the recommended range for keeping a salt water reef tank. Dosing pumps are not necessary but a great help, the same with the calcium reactor.

I think your lighting is adequate for your plans.

I think placement will not be a problem with your rocks.

 

^Thanks. That fixture is a 48" T5 and I am leaning towards a 6 bulb 36" T5.

 

A very good tip I received from Amcarrig about deciding if you tank is ready for SPS
is simply "when you see signs of coraline growth , thats the time to consider adding SPS"

 

a 4 bulb 36" unit will be more than sufficient. If you do go 6 bulbs don't go over 10 hours with the blue bulbs and 8 hours with the whites. You will most likely need to shade the softies with any of your light choices.

 

Thanks 2in10. Steve, after seeing the SPS overload in your tank, I will take your advice (you have some beautiful peices)!

With SPS, which peram is most important. I supose they all play a role in keeping your corals happy, but is one more valuable than the others? Is a greater swing in one going to have a negative effect more than the another? Am I making any sence?

 

The big 3.

Calcium
Alkalinity
Magnesium

If those are in line and the values maintained consistently you should be fine.

Reduction of phosphates and nitrates is also important.

EDIT: Love the scape BTW.

 

They are all pretty much equal. Keep alk above 7dKH, Ca above 380 and Mg above 1250. Keep nitrate below 5ppm and phosphate below .03ppm.

 

i have the 6x39 ati powermodule over my breeder.. and i love it..

 

always had the best results with, letting the tank mature for a while...steady params. and water changes often, I do them at least once a week you should see great growth that way....also maintain mag, cal and alk.