No luck with sps

[Biff0rz]

I would feed a little more (0.03 po4 could actually be 0 on most test kits....0 = BAD). So, feed some more, see if it comes up a little. I would def par test asap. What's flow like?

 

[Loosechangereef]

I think the lights he has is adequate to grow frags into mini colonies,
1)We discussed this earlier tank is young for sps
2)Tanks needs more biodiversity
3)Rocks are in question or he can try couple of live rocks

Note:I never used dry rock only live only
But alot of sps guys say they used dry rock with succes

 

[Koty]

Start dosing carbon regardless of the Nitrate and phosphate values

 

[jackson6745]

This is the thing with dry rock only, you’re seeding the tank with the biome from the corals themselves and their skeletons + frag plugs etc. This is the introduction to the ocean bacteria which then has to proliferate. It’s certainly a way to do it, the loooooooong way.

My one experience with dead rock was terrible. I pulled the plug at 8 months because sps kept dying on me. Apparently 8 months is young for a dry start lol. I’m used to keeping sps from the first few days. If I ever was to dry rock again it will be seeded with plenty of live rock or rock my my other systems.

To the OP, get some live rock + sand in there you will be amazed. If you’re worried about “pests” give the rock a dip in 1.040 salinity for 2 mins.

 

[exnisstech]

I set up a tank specifically for sticks Feb 2023 and added a bunch of frags after a few months. I lost a few to RTN and STN the rest just kinda hung in there. I didn't really see much growth until about 14 months in. I switched from ESV 2 part to AFR about the same time and the corals have really started to grow. I can't say if it's the AFR or tank maturity or both.

 

[madmike10000]

The tank is still young. I second the live rock and/or live sand suggestion.

I can see a lot of shadowing, you might consider eventually adding more light coverage.

I got my icp test back everything was ok. I ordered 50 lbs of premium live rock from Tampa bay to help introduce more diversity and help speed up this process a bit

 

[madmike10000]

This is the thing with dry rock only, you’re seeding the tank with the biome from the corals themselves and their skeletons + frag plugs etc. This is the introduction to the ocean bacteria which then has to proliferate. It’s certainly a way to do it, the loooooooong way.

My one experience with dead rock was terrible. I pulled the plug at 8 months because sps kept dying on me. Apparently 8 months is young for a dry start lol. I’m used to keeping sps from the first few days. If I ever was to dry rock again it will be seeded with plenty of live rock or rock my my other systems.

To the OP, get some live rock + sand in there you will be amazed. If you’re worried about “pests” give the rock a dip in 1.040 salinity for 2 mins.

got my icp test back everything was ok. I ordered 50 lbs of premium live rock from Tampa bay to help introduce more diversity and help speed up this process a bit

 

[braaap]

I got my icp test back everything was ok. I ordered 50 lbs of premium live rock from Tampa bay to help introduce more diversity and help speed up this process a bit

You are gonna get diversity alright. Yikes.

 

[madmike10000]

You are gonna get diversity alright. Yikes.

I have heard great things about them. Especially if you quarantine before adding its a deal. My lfs sells “live rock” for $14 a pound and it’s only been sitting in there bins for a few months so I feel this is a better route

 

[Cichlid Dad]

I have heard great things about them. Especially if you quarantine before adding its a deal. My lfs sells “live rock” for $14 a pound and it’s only been sitting in there bins for a few months so I feel this is a better route

I agree, I just ordered live sand for my new build based of my last purchase of TBS . I did get a few undesirable hitch hikers but it was not an issue.

 

[bobnicaragua]

I ordered 10 lbs of gulf live rock for my established SPS tank. After adding the rock, the weird red algae issues I was having went away. (Chemiclean didn’t work.).

 

[madmike10000]

I ordered 10 lbs of gulf live rock for my established SPS tank. After adding the rock, the weird red algae issues I was having went away. (Chemiclean didn’t work.).

Nice. My tank was covered in red Cyano but I was able to use chemi clean. Worked amazing for me

 

[madmike10000]

Update today. I never got my rock because of the hurricanes. Beginning of this month ever single sps frag has been doing really good. I actually have colors from them and I can see them base out. Montiporas are doing even better. I noticed my tank has been more stable than normal this past month or so. I seem almost no change in alk when I test so it’s good news.