65 DSA SPS Dominant Mixed Reef

[aggie13reef]

Your nitrates and phosphates are showing zero because the algae is having a field day eating it all. Basically you have high nutrient issues being masked by the algae consuming it. Find a way to outcompete it and you'll win. GFO/refugium/algae scrubber/carbon dosing/reduced feeding etc. It takes time.

Thanks for the advice. The tank looks good after I spend 45 minutes pulling algae! But I do not want to have to constantly do that. I just want to maintain a healthy system. Might try carbon dosing? never tried that. GFO just makes me nervous I've read a lot of threads here where people strip nutrients too fast. I have also seen many outstanding tanks that never use GFO. In my case it may be worth it to gain control of the situation.

 

[Scorpius]

Thanks for the advice. The tank looks good after I spend 45 minutes pulling algae! But I do not want to have to constantly do that. I just want to maintain a healthy system. Might try carbon dosing? never tried that. GFO just makes me nervous I've read a lot of threads here where people strip nutrients too fast. I have also seen many outstanding tanks that never use GFO. In my case it may be worth it to gain control of the situation.

GFO is safe if you start slow. I have the same exact tank as yours and I run no more than 5 tablespoons of high capacity BRS gfo.

I would start around 3 tablespoons in your case. Start slow and you'll be ok.

 

[aggie13reef]

GFO is safe if you start slow. I have the same exact tank as yours and I run no more than 5 tablespoons of high capacity BRS gfo.



I would start around 3 tablespoons in your case. Start slow and you'll be ok.

I will have to try that then. I have an almost full container of BRS GFO at the house. Will it be ok in a media bag in the first drain part of my sump? I figure there's better water flow there than the other 2 chambers.

 

[Scorpius]

I will have to try that then. I have an almost full container of BRS GFO at the house. Will it be ok in a media bag in the first drain part of my sump? I figure there's better water flow there than the other 2 chambers.

I used to run a reactor for my gfo/carbon, but I found it a hassle to deal with come media change day so now I use two mesh bags, one with gfo and the other with carbon. I have them in my first section of my sump where the skimmer/water drains.

It's not as efficient to run media this way as it's passive in nature, but it keeps me from stripping my water too fast.

 

[aggie13reef]

I used to run a reactor for my gfo/carbon, but I found it a hassle to deal with come media change day so now I use two mesh bags, one with gfo and the other with carbon. I have them in my first section of my sump where the skimmer/water drains.

It's not as efficient to run media this way as it's passive in nature, but it keeps me from stripping my water too fast.

That is most likely what I would do.

 

[aggie13reef]

Here are a few recent pictures showing some growth:

I am really happy I have gotten some color back on the purple and green acro.

 

[aggie13reef]

Yesterday I cleaned up the wiring on the tank. I need to pull out my power heads and give them a good cleaning today. I also want to move my frogspawn but j have been procrastinating this for a while so who knows if I will get it done. I also am getting closer to ordering the 2 part dosing package from BRS. Only problem is in my stand my sump takes up almost all the room. I will need containers that are max 5" wide to house the Mixtures. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to find some or how to make some? I would DIY if it saved me enough money.

 

[markalot]

Yesterday I cleaned up the wiring on the tank. I need to pull out my power heads and give them a good cleaning today. I also want to move my frogspawn but j have been procrastinating this for a while so who knows if I will get it done. I also am getting closer to ordering the 2 part dosing package from BRS. Only problem is in my stand my sump takes up almost all the room. I will need containers that are max 5" wide to house the Mixtures. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to find some or how to make some? I would DIY if it saved me enough money.

Did you look at the spacesaver jugs from BRS? Would those fit?

 

[aggie13reef]

Did you look at the spacesaver jugs from BRS? Would those fit?

Those absolutely would work, don't know how I missed those must have not looked hard enough. Thanks Mark!

 

[aggie13reef]

Last night I measured Alk and Ca again. Alk was at 6.5 ish which means I will have to ramp up the dosing. Ca was at 390 so I am close to my end result of 420. I have seen some nice growth on everything and I will be fragging my green bird and stylo this weekend. Might break a few pieces of the monti off as well! The algae is taking longer to come back than last time I pulled it so maybe I am making progress, only time will tell.

 

[markalot]

Last night I measured Alk and Ca again. Alk was at 6.5 ish which means I will have to ramp up the dosing. Ca was at 390 so I am close to my end result of 420. I have seen some nice growth on everything and I will be fragging my green bird and stylo this weekend. Might break a few pieces of the monti off as well! The algae is taking longer to come back than last time I pulled it so maybe I am making progress, only time will tell.

Good news, hope everything stays on track!

 

[aggie13reef]

Good news, hope everything stays on track!

Thanks Mark, I didn't get around to fragging anything. Still timid haha

 

[aggie13reef]

Well I figured today I would post a couple growth shots. Nothing insane but I'm proud of them.

Slimer 7-4-15

Slimer Today

Turaki 6-23-15

Turaki Today

Unknown 6-23-15

Unknown Today

 

[aggie13reef]

valida 7-4-15

valida Today

Top right area 12-13-15

Top right area Today

And a picture of the Green Bomber for good measure

 

[markalot]

Wow nick, great growth and health. I'm jealous.

 

[aggie13reef]

Wow nick, great growth and health. I'm jealous.

Thank you Mark! I feel like a lot of my species are "easy" :facepalm::lolspin:

 

[markalot]

Thank you Mark! I feel like a lot of my species are "easy" :facepalm::lolspin:

Exactly what I need more of.

 

[aggie13reef]

I am excited, arriving Friday is some BRS calcium and Soda Ash. I have no clue what differs Soda Ash from sodium bicarbonate, but I am assuming one impacts pH and one doesn't? I did not get the dosers, one step at a time. For the near future I can hand dose as I have had no issues yet and buy the pumps as funds allow.

I tested Alk and Ca tonight and came up with Ca - 440 ppm; Alk - 7.3 dKH.

I am thrilled I have raised them, especially the Ca. I will not dose tonight or in the morning and test at the same time tomorrow to determine the daily loss and come up with a dosing plan.

Question for you guys, you are dosing a set amount, how often do you test? And how fast does amount of dosage go up with growth? I know it will vary from tank to tank with size and stock, but just trying to get a general idea. Your input is greatly appreciated!

 

[markalot]

I use Kalk, but when I dosed I used Two Little Fishies C-Balance, measured Alk only and then dosed equal parts A and B.

 

[aggie13reef]

I use Kalk, but when I dosed I used Two Little Fishies C-Balance, measured Alk only and then dosed equal parts A and B.

I thought about Kalk but I decided on 2 part. Who knows I might try Kalk down the road as I assume it's much cheaper!