howaboutme February 28, 2014 February 28, 2014 Here's your buddy talking about nutrients: http://www.reef2reef.com/forums/general-sps-discussion/150804-we-all-know-do-we-2.html#post1760855 take out your PO4 sponge!
BowieReefer84 February 28, 2014 Author February 28, 2014 (edited) I think Advanced Aquarist came out with this article just for you today http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/finding-the-right-balance-of-nutrients-for-corals While the bulk of past scientific research has focused on the effects of excessive nutrient levels, a new paper from the University of Southhampton examined the necessity of nutrients for corals. Their research has concluded what modern reefkeepers have also learned: that '“too many” nutrients can be as bad for corals as “not enough”. haha, yea. Bottom line is I only have 2 fish as well. I need to add some livestock to the tank. Nice article. Here's your buddy talking about nutrients: http://www.reef2reef.com/forums/general-sps-discussion/150804-we-all-know-do-we-2.html#post1760855 take out your PO4 sponge! I don't think I am too low phosphates. I get around .07 with the hanna low range checker. Nitrates are prob too low though. Thanks for linking that. I don't follow r2r. Adam also runs his Alk around 6.5-7.0 as well I beleive. I am not attempting to immitate anyone elses system. My tank is actually running really well, but Adam is definately on the right path! I just like to tinker and see if it can be even better. It's fun for me to mess around with it. I figure as long as Alk is rock solid I can play with carbon dosing and things like that... Edited February 28, 2014 by BowieReefer84
BowieReefer84 March 6, 2014 Author March 6, 2014 Well since everything has been going relatively well I decided to stir the pot. I am now beginning to dose ZEO Sponge Power and Coral Vitalizer. Today marks day #1 at one drop each per day. Those tiny bottles should last me a year on this size tank. 1 drop seems like nothing, but we shall see. Hoping to see increased daytime polyp extension.
YHSublime March 6, 2014 March 6, 2014 Awesome, look forward to seeing what happens! Are you adding in the mornings?
BowieReefer84 March 6, 2014 Author March 6, 2014 Awesome, look forward to seeing what happens! Are you adding in the mornings? Should I add it in the morning? I haven't read one way or the other.
YHSublime March 6, 2014 March 6, 2014 Should I add it in the morning? I haven't read one way or the other. No idea! Was curious as to if it might make a difference or not, sorry to make you thing otherwise!
AlanM March 6, 2014 March 6, 2014 Which ones? I got biomate, zeobak, cyano clean, and coral snow. Wanted zeo zyme, but they dont have the smaller size. Want to split some between 5-6 people?
BowieReefer84 March 7, 2014 Author March 7, 2014 I have finally decreased phosphates and increased nitrates. Nitrate is now at 2-5 and phosphates are like 0.025. This was done through running kent phosphate sponge and dosing potassium nitrate (stump remover). Very happy 20140307_145139 by mteske1, on Flickr 20140307_145808 by mteske1, on Flickr 20140307_145745 by mteske1, on Flickr
AlanM March 7, 2014 March 7, 2014 (edited) Woah. 8 on phosphate checker is pretty darn low. You don't think the magic blue bottles had anything to do with it? Edited March 7, 2014 by AlanM
BowieReefer84 March 7, 2014 Author March 7, 2014 (edited) Woah. 8 on phosphate checker is pretty darn low. You don't think the magic blue bottles had anything to do with it? No, they are food. I just had a little bag of phosphate sponge in the tank for about 30 hours. That's def what dropped them. This is what I use: http://www.kentmarine.com/products/kent-phos-sponge.htm Edited March 7, 2014 by BowieReefer84
AlanM March 7, 2014 March 7, 2014 OK. I've used the seachem aluminum bead form before, but never knew how well it worked. What are you going to do long term for phosphate?
BowieReefer84 March 7, 2014 Author March 7, 2014 OK. I've used the seachem aluminum bead form before, but never knew how well it worked. What are you going to do long term for phosphate? Run small portions of this in a re-useable mesh bag when I feel they are too high. I also have GFO that I can use as well. Not sure how fast they will rise so I'm not sure on exactly what I will do. I'll run a few tests to see how much they increase as a baseline.
gmerek2 March 12, 2014 March 12, 2014 That's nice that you can re use bag. How do you re constitute it? Love the music in that video. Montis showing some growth already!
JR-Tanked150 March 12, 2014 March 12, 2014 Nice video, looks like your cardinal is dancing to the music.
AlanM March 12, 2014 March 12, 2014 That's going to look really cool when those different encrusting guys all intersect.
BowieReefer84 April 9, 2014 Author April 9, 2014 It has been about a month of dosing Coral Vitalizer and Sponge Power. I see no increased daytime polyp extension, and I still have a similiar amount of pineapple sponges in my sump. I probably won't buy more, but I still have enough to last a year so I will continue use. I have found dialing my maxspect back to around 40% white and 58% blue provides less faded coloration in my corals. Adding some more deepwater pieces from Battle Corals next month, so will continue to keep things as stable as possible.
AlanM April 9, 2014 April 9, 2014 I also ran out of the little blue bottles which seemed to do nothing. Maybe because I'm not doing any carbon dosing which would naturally up the bacteria count and maybe culture up some of the bottle contents? Anyway, I think you remarked that my RHCP monti that was in the shadow looked better than the ones under the direct light, so maybe we've both been blasting them too much with these LEDs. You're going to have to figure it all out again anyway when you get your T5's.
BowieReefer84 May 2, 2014 Author May 2, 2014 Waiting for my battle corals order to arrive... Can't believe how many "spots" I have decided need a coral.
epleeds May 2, 2014 May 2, 2014 Waiting for my battle corals order to arrive... Can't believe how many "spots" I have decided need a coral. So when is the upgrade?
BowieReefer84 May 2, 2014 Author May 2, 2014 So when is the upgrade? Maybe 2-3 years if these 1-2" acro will grow and be noticeable in a tank larger than your ato container...
BowieReefer84 May 23, 2014 Author May 23, 2014 (edited) Well, I have been keeping parameters rock solid in this tank with very very little wiggle room. However, some of the acro's are just not achieving the colors (or growth) I would like to see. For that reason I am going to change over to a 250w Radium bulb in place of LED. I only run lights for 5.5 hours a day and my tank is in a below grade basement. I think if I hang it 18" there won't be any significant amount of heat transferred to cause issues. I gave the LED's 6+ months, and they just keep making me wonder if something else would be better. If in 6 more months tank still has slow growth and lacking colors, I will accept that I just am not that good at the hobby and stick to golf. Edited May 23, 2014 by BowieReefer84
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