Why do SPS thrive in a nutrient poor environment?

[tgriffin]

Anyone care to explain this or post some links that I can read more into this?

 

[kirru]

I have no earthly idea and would like to know too. However in my tank, I know it can't be to nutrient poor as my sps are growing nicely and i have softies galore and a RBTA in there.... tagging along

 

[slayer]

ohh boy i could spend a whole day on this. Basically nutrient poor means no phosphates or nitrates in your system. Phosphates and nitrates to some degree inhibit the calcification process that corals use to "grow".. (it stops calcium from being added to their skeletons). If you want your corals to grow quick then you want calcium to be added to your growing sps /lps as fast as it can use it. Phosphates and nitrates slow this process down. This is why some people strive to run ultra low nutrient tanks (myself being a former member).

 

[dakota9]

Because SPS requires none of what we refer to as "nutrients". We don't thrive waste deep in mud because we do not require it.

The term "nutrient" does not refer to chemicals SPS do thrive on (magnesium, calcium, strontium, etc. ) Which IS present in a tank where they are thriving....


And yes, Slayer is right, you could explain this topic all day and still not get the full story..

 

[slayer]

nutrient poor is a misnomer, because although you are stripping the water column of its nutrients (good and bad) by heavy protein skimming, vodka dosing, sugar dosing, vinegar dosing, zeovit method or whatever your pleasure you have to add back the "good stuff" you originally took out ie amino acids and trace elements. This is accomplished by spending money on additives or increasing tank feedings to undo the stuff you already had in your tank in the first place.. as you might have guessed im not a big fan of the method.

 

[maestro]

i'm not sure if we're allowed to link to other forums, but i just finished reading