A corner in Taiwan
- Thread starter shih87
- Start date
sahin
Ultimate Reefer
Woah...thats a big jump...nearly 10 times...
I added about 6lbs of Liverock from my LFS...I wanted a bit more diversity and just to boost my filtration a bit. Anyway, the LFS guy told me his liverock is cured off the premises and is very clean...
Well, its been a few days since I added it and my PO4 hasnt jumped at all...
In fact the past two days I removed my PO4 reactor as my PO4 is barely registering on my Elos/Merck test kit. It registers zero on my Salifert PO4 kit.
Have you noticed any extra/quicker algae dusting on the glass as a result of the extra PO4? Maybe its too early to show any effect on corals.
shih87
New member
After 48 hours, PO4 reach 0.11 ppm... Other parameters remain no change.
This new live risk is 6.5 kg, which is about 14 lbs....
So far, I am not aware any LFS in Taiwan sale cured or non-cured live rock separately, they always like to promote "fresh" live rock:lmao::lmao::lmao:....This rock stay in LFS for more than 3 weeks, so I picked it and hope it is cured....
I have not observed any algae grow or change yet, only fishes seem love those new stuff. Like you said, probably too early to see any change visually.
shih87
New member
Yes, next time I will place them a bit lower....Never thinking they grow so fast, people remind me before, but I don't think I pay enough attention:hmm3:. I will clip the tips and send to friends.
shih87
New member
hey, how you guys think about using KNO3 to increase NO3? It seems a well known method in Taiwan, but with both positive and negative feedbacks.
My NO3 is stay undetectable regardless adding new rock and over feeding. PO4 to me is a bit easy to control.
If I do use KNO3, what is the dosing recommendation? volume and tips wise.
My NO3 is stay undetectable regardless adding new rock and over feeding. PO4 to me is a bit easy to control.
If I do use KNO3, what is the dosing recommendation? volume and tips wise.
sahin
Ultimate Reefer
I just searched ReefCentral...and I couldnt find anything conclusive. Neither could I find any posts/threads that mentioned any real positive results.
I doubt it will make a difference for you. There are many SPS tanks with undetectable NO3 that have AMAZING SPS colours.
Therefore IMO this wouldnt be worth testing in a tank full of SPS.
shih87
New member
Sahin, wow, thanks for the effort, and I agree with you. I am very doubt to increase NO3 by reading number has any good to an old tank.
But due to the KNO3 suggestion is coming from a SPS master in Taiwan, so I wonder....
BTW, any test kit better than Salifert and Red Sea on NO3 test? I really like my Hanna 736 for PO4, which can detect very minor change, but NO3 seems no test kit for ultra low range!?
sahin
Ultimate Reefer
I use Salifert for the Nitrate and found this to be one of the best out there. I dont know any other hobbyist Nitrate tests which has greater precision than the Salifert.
I looked up Hanna high end units for Nitrate and it looks like they are only for Freshwater.
shih87
New member
Hmmm~~ my PO4 now stay at 0.12ppm for couple days already, but most SPS tissues are still very light color.
I also found one thing I might did wrong"¦.After I installed a carbon reactor, I keep same amount of activated carbon (~250 g) as when I put them in filter sock. The carbon reactor is much more efficient than filter sock, I might push water too clean and sharp!? Not sure if this affect my coral, but anyway, I stop my carbon reactor temporary now, and will see what happen.
I also found one thing I might did wrong"¦.After I installed a carbon reactor, I keep same amount of activated carbon (~250 g) as when I put them in filter sock. The carbon reactor is much more efficient than filter sock, I might push water too clean and sharp!? Not sure if this affect my coral, but anyway, I stop my carbon reactor temporary now, and will see what happen.
sahin
Ultimate Reefer
Woah! 250G Carbon in a reactor versus the same amount in a filter sock is a BIG difference. When using GAC in a reactor, always use 1/3 to 1/2 the amount.
Over use like this can create problems in two ways:
1. Pull out too much organics too fast/strip the water. This will cause some SPS corals to either lighten up or even STN.
2. A sudden overuse of GAC can cause removal of a lot of the yellowing compounds in the water, therefore meaning a boost in the light reaching the corals. This can cause the corals to lighten up.
IMO it is number 1 which is the worst of the two.
You did the right thing to remove the GAC for now. I would carry out at least 20% water change every week for 4 weeks and increase feeding.
I know that sounds crazy when you have algae, but it will help the SPS recover.
With regards to the algae, is it hair algae or brown slime algae?
If its regular green hair algae, then I would simply increase the snails and hermit crabs to help with the algae.
If its brown slime etc, then I would definitely STOP dosing all additives/supplements.
Here is a thread I found this morning regarding TMC Pro Elements, I remembered your tank and thought I'd tell you about it: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=921674
From about page 2 quite a few people started to buy this product. One guy as you will see had VERY good results from it. But others apparently had Dinoflagellate issues due to use of the TMC products.
Therefore, if your algae is true algae (stuff like green hair algae etc) then beef up your algae grazers using a variety of snails, hermits and maybe even fish like a Kole/Tomini Tang if your stocking level permits.
If the "algae" is more like brown slime etc then stop additives and carry out increased water changes for a few weeks. It might be that there are a build up of certain elements/metals creating an environment for certain slime type bacteria to flourish.
I hope you dont mind me writing all this and giving you these suggestions, I know you are a far better/advanced SPS keeper than me, but I give these ideas/suggestions with respect.
Hope all gets better. :thumbsup:
shih87
New member
Woah! 250G Carbon in a reactor versus the same amount in a filter sock is a BIG difference. When using GAC in a reactor, always use 1/3 to 1/2 the amount.
Over use like this can create problems in two ways:
1. Pull out too much organics too fast/strip the water. This will cause some SPS corals to either lighten up or even STN.
2. A sudden overuse of GAC can cause removal of a lot of the yellowing compounds in the water, therefore meaning a boost in the light reaching the corals. This can cause the corals to lighten up.
IMO it is number 1 which is the worst of the two.
You did the right thing to remove the GAC for now. I would carry out at least 20% water change every week for 4 weeks and increase feeding.
I know that sounds crazy when you have algae, but it will help the SPS recover.
With regards to the algae, is it hair algae or brown slime algae?
If its regular green hair algae, then I would simply increase the snails and hermit crabs to help with the algae.
If its brown slime etc, then I would definitely STOP dosing all additives/supplements.
Here is a thread I found this morning regarding TMC Pro Elements, I remembered your tank and thought I'd tell you about it: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=921674
From about page 2 quite a few people started to buy this product. One guy as you will see had VERY good results from it. But others apparently had Dinoflagellate issues due to use of the TMC products.
Therefore, if your algae is true algae (stuff like green hair algae etc) then beef up your algae grazers using a variety of snails, hermits and maybe even fish like a Kole/Tomini Tang if your stocking level permits.
If the "algae" is more like brown slime etc then stop additives and carry out increased water changes for a few weeks. It might be that there are a build up of certain elements/metals creating an environment for certain slime type bacteria to flourish.
I hope you dont mind me writing all this and giving you these suggestions, I know you are a far better/advanced SPS keeper than me, but I give these ideas/suggestions with respect.
Hope all gets better. :thumbsup:
This is an excellent reply and true friend did. I am going to take your suggestions and move to action.
Sahin, I don't mind at all. In fact, that is why I love forum discussion... friends will help you correct that you overlook!!!
Regarding my algae issue, I think it is 2nd one you mentioned, but not 100% sure. Let's see.
Charl
New member
Hi Shih87,
I have the same problem with my tank at the moment. Brown slime
Do you run a Zeovit system? If so had a light blackout for two days and stopped dosing start3 with no good results I will try the advice that @sahin gave you as well with 20% water changes and see what will happen
Will follow this thread closely
Thanks Charl
I have the same problem with my tank at the moment. Brown slime
Do you run a Zeovit system? If so had a light blackout for two days and stopped dosing start3 with no good results I will try the advice that @sahin gave you as well with 20% water changes and see what will happen
Will follow this thread closely
Thanks Charl
sahin
Ultimate Reefer
This is VERY true. If you overdose the following Zeovit products, you will get BROWN SLIME:
Amino Acid LPS,
Amino Acid HC,
Sponge Power,
Zeofood7,
Zeostart2,
Coral Vitalizer &
K-Balance Potassium (Strong)
Overdose on this and you get CLEAR/SEE THROUGH/TRANSPARENT SLIME :
ZeoBac
I dosed CV about 6 months ago and did get some slight brown slime.
shih87
New member
Hi Charl and Sahin,
These are goos suggestions and I will take actions and update you results. However, I forget to mention, last Friday (before I left home for weekend), I noticed two of my SPS happen STN (tissues break a thin line facing flow direction) at bottom while upper portion still have healthy PE, that is an alert to me that I have to solve my SPS color lighten up issue first. I already stop my carbon reactor day before. At this moment, I may keep KZ additive same amount (especial AA), wait for STN stop (it seems stop now, but too soon to say). My brown slime (yes, I believe that is exactly what I have) seems only cover my frag holder area, which I will wait for couple days/weeks to handle it.
What you guys think?
BTW, my PO4 now drop (first time after adding new live rock) to 0.06 ppm (from 0.12 ppm) and NO3 is still undetectable as the test result last night.
BR,
Charl
New member
Hi Sahin and shih87
I get the same STN on the base of my corals and my PO4 jumped from 0.02ppm to 0.04ppm in one day, NO3 sit at 0.5
I'm not dosing any Zeo product at the moment I get the idea that the rocks and substrate leach something
I must admit that I dosed CV but are not sure if that cause the brown slime outbreak as I only dose it once a week
On my side corals lighten up and now I lose colour
I will do a 20% water change and post my result back to you.
My brown slime issue started the same @shih87 and now it's everywhere so then I cut back on the start3 from 0.3ml to 0.1ml and still no positive results
I wonder if I must try coral snow with Zeobak and see if there will be a change
What do you guys think?
BTW, I notice if I dose AA the brown slime spread more so I will not suggest you dose that now
Charl
I get the same STN on the base of my corals and my PO4 jumped from 0.02ppm to 0.04ppm in one day, NO3 sit at 0.5
I'm not dosing any Zeo product at the moment I get the idea that the rocks and substrate leach something
I must admit that I dosed CV but are not sure if that cause the brown slime outbreak as I only dose it once a week
On my side corals lighten up and now I lose colour
I will do a 20% water change and post my result back to you.
My brown slime issue started the same @shih87 and now it's everywhere so then I cut back on the start3 from 0.3ml to 0.1ml and still no positive results
I wonder if I must try coral snow with Zeobak and see if there will be a change
What do you guys think?
BTW, I notice if I dose AA the brown slime spread more so I will not suggest you dose that now
Charl
sahin
Ultimate Reefer
Are you running the Zeovit stones? If so, check the flow through the reactor. Zeovit recommends one/off cycle for PO4 reduction. Maybe the flow is too fast causing the paleness and STN?
Charl
New member
Hi Sahin and shih87,
Thanks for the info @Sahin I restrict the flow on the reactor to 360l/h for my size tank
I found this on the web about the brown slime @shih87 can you confirm if this is what you get in your tank
Here's the link:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/how-i-beat-dinoflagellates-and-the-lessons-i-learned
Thanks Charl
Thanks for the info @Sahin I restrict the flow on the reactor to 360l/h for my size tank
I found this on the web about the brown slime @shih87 can you confirm if this is what you get in your tank
Here's the link:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/how-i-beat-dinoflagellates-and-the-lessons-i-learned
Thanks Charl
