While parameters near natural seawater are very important, stability is key. Temp, alk, calcium, and nutrients all need to stay very consistent. While some advocate keeping alk on the high side around 9-11 dkh I maintain mine at 8dkh. Natural seawater is 6.5-7dkh. I maintain calcium at 420. NO3 and PO4 at undetectable or very close to it. However whatever level they are at need to be stable. Too little nutrients can and will starve coral. It is also important to keep magnesium levels up around 1250. If mag drops (and once growth begins it will) then calcium and alk are allowed to swing. Alk swings are the biggest issue most people have with SPS corals. While keeping a few frags is pretty easy when SPS coral get growing they can consume massive quantities of calcium and carbonate. It is important that you have a plan in place to meet the demand of numerous large colonies.Temp is also important. I aim for 77-78 degrees. Temps over 80 will stress your corals and temp swing are bad. The ocean is a violent but stable place. These corals have evolved to grow on the reef crest. Massive waves of very clean, oxygenated water are constantly washing over them. Flow is very important as well. Brisk but random flow is key. Harsh flow directly on the corals will blow the skin right off of them. Every coral is different and it is up to you to determine the placement that makes an individual piece happy. This brings me to light. Most SPS corals grow in shallow water and get pounded with light. However sudden exposure to strong lighting can and does have extremely detrimental effects. When placing a new coral it is advisable to start low in the tank. Let the coral settle in and display full polyp extension. Then over the next couple of weeks slowly raise it up to the place you intend to keep it. It is also imperative that you mount the coral with glue. SPS corals do not fair well while half buried in sand or getting tossed around.
ok if the corals start using mg then that brings me to one of my original questions..everytime i ask someone what their mg is..they say they dont test for it..and if its important why dont they test for it..are the test kits to hard to read or what..i think im getting there with mine but i want to make sure i do this right this time..Andy got me hooked on these guys..
Originally Posted by schminksbro
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