BUILDING A DREAM....SPS Dominated Tank build

[v1...rotate]

Hi Andrew,
The tank is looking great and all clear for take offfff

Your Zeo dosing schedule is very interesting.
Iv started dosing Pohl's Xtra 2ml daily since Jan 1, 2012 and started CV x 2 drops since yesterday. These are the only 2 Zeo products I'm using now, with Prodibio- digest and optim.
Needed a bit of advice:
Should I cut down on Pohl Xtra dosing after maybe 1 more week of daily dosing and go for 2ml weekly?
And CV daily 2 drops for a week then cut down dosing to 2 drops a week?
Will this be a good idea, since I'm not using any other Zeo products? Or should I go with the Zeo recommended daily dosing regimen?
I'm contemplating on adding B Balance in future.

Sorry for asking too many questions.

Ok Noob... firstly, what was the reason you started to dose Pohl Xtra and what were you looking to achieve? Have you noticed any changes since dosing?

Secondly, what's the reason you wanted to start dosing CV?

Let me know

Also, just watched your latest youtube video... what a great fish and music choice to go along with it. Just watch him carefully as he might nibble on your corals!

 

[jbanks]

Thanks Jon...I feel good I have something you have too...we are related now lol
Does this coral have any specific requirements? First time I'm coming across one. Though I was ignorant about it but the beauty of it made me get it. Hope I can take care of this SPS and do him justice.

First off, please forgive my horrible spelling of a. caroliniana in my original post... u gotta love phone auto-correct! Lol. I started mine on the bottom of my tank with good flow. I will raise it up just a bit from there maintaining the flow. So, she will stay fairly low in my tank.. I believe this is a deep water coral and since our tanks are but so deep, I don't want to take the chance of blasting it with too much light.

Great angel. I hope that he stays a model citizen!

 

[M Woodhill]

Fish Update...:fish1:

A very happy day for me...got a fish that's been one among the top of my fish wishlish.
He is a tiny guy...a juvenile...lucky score for me
This is his day 2 in my tank...

He is special....so he deserves a video...:inlove: But it was like mission impossible to get him to pose :lol2:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vAF3UNzuIGA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

nice tank and nice size of colonies

 

[Reef_Noob]

Ok Noob... firstly, what was the reason you started to dose Pohl Xtra and what were you looking to achieve? Have you noticed any changes since dosing?

Secondly, what's the reason you wanted to start dosing CV?

Let me know

Also, just watched your latest youtube video... what a great fish and music choice to go along with it. Just watch him carefully as he might nibble on your corals!

Hi Andrew :wavehand:
Thanks a lot for viewing

Pohl's Xtra
To improve and promote growth of SPS, especially more base encrusting.

Changes iv noticed in 2 weeks with Pohl's Xtra:
- Appearance of more growth tips
- Corals definitely looking more healthy
- Coral colour has stabilized, meaning the browned out ones * * not browning more. The rest of the corals are holding colour. Improvement in colour not seen.
- Water has become very clear
- Less algae deposits on glass = lesser cleaning
- Improved skimmer performance

Coral Vitalizer
As main coral food source and improve polyp extension.
(I was using TLF Coral Snow until now)

I'm on day 2 of dosing CV, haven't noticed any changes.

Thanks Andrew for taking time to answer my queries.
Glad you liked my tiny video presentation
And yea the lil guy is on watchlist. I hope he leaves my LPS alone.

 

[Reef_Noob]

WOW! looking awesome!
love the new coral

Hi dallasg

Thanks a lot for the kind words.
Even I love that new coral :inlove:

 

[M Woodhill]

Hi Andrew :wavehand:
Thanks a lot for viewing

Pohl's Xtra
To improve and promote growth of SPS, especially more base encrusting.

Changes iv noticed in 2 weeks with Pohl's Xtra:
- Appearance of more growth tips
- Corals definitely looking more healthy
- Coral colour has stabilized, meaning the browned out ones * * not browning more. The rest of the corals are holding colour. Improvement in colour not seen.
- Water has become very clear
- Less algae deposits on glass = lesser cleaning
- Improved skimmer performance

Coral Vitalizer
As main coral food source and improve polyp extension.
(I was using TLF Coral Snow until now)

I'm on day 2 of dosing CV, haven't noticed any changes.

Thanks Andrew for taking time to answer my queries.
Glad you liked my tiny video presentation
And yea the lil guy is on watchlist. I hope he leaves my LPS alone.

if so, u gotta be cautious

ive dosed before all sort of zeo's. while applied to the non-zeovit system, those products r very likely to bring cyano

i'm now dosin amino acid and the cyano grows kinda considerably

presumably u can start dosin with half of recommended dosage

yet i usually prefer acmino acid, which helps pe and acclimation

 

[Reef_Noob]

First off, please forgive my horrible spelling of a. caroliniana in my original post... u gotta love phone auto-correct! Lol. I started mine on the bottom of my tank with good flow. I will raise it up just a bit from there maintaining the flow. So, she will stay fairly low in my tank.. I believe this is a deep water coral and since our tanks are but so deep, I don't want to take the chance of blasting it with too much light.

Great angel. I hope that he stays a model citizen!

Hi Jon,
Lol at phone autocorrect, yep does bring out some weird words, so I'm always checking what pops out when I'm typing on my mobile. Even more dangerous when strange female names pops out with autocorrect when I'm messaging my wife :lol2: :debi:

As I had mentioned I did light acclimatize this SPS and though he is higher up he is not directly under the main LEDs. Thanks for the input Jon. Il be keeping an eye on this SPS and reposition if it's gettin stressed. But so far so good

The angel was in QT at the LFS with some LPS in the tank at my request, he left them alone. Keeping fingers crossed he won't go after my priced LPS/SPS. This lil guy is bit aggressive I saw him go bite the mouth of the yellow tang

 

[Reef_Noob]

nice tank and nice size of colonies

Hi M Woodhill.
Thanks a lot for viewing and for your kind words.

 

[Reef_Noob]

if so, u gotta be cautious

ive dosed before all sort of zeo's. while applied to the non-zeovit system, those products r very likely to bring cyano

i'm now dosin amino acid and the cyano grows kinda considerably

presumably u can start dosin with half of recommended dosage

yet i usually prefer acmino acid, which helps pe and acclimation

Thanks for the input M Woodhill
Yes CV and Aminos do have chances for bringing out algae blooms.
That's the reason i held back on CV till now. And dosing just 2 drops as of now.
I wanted my tank parameters stabilized and then start with CV. First I started with Pohl's Xtra allowed 2 weeks to do it's trick and now started CV. I'm still continuing Prodibio.
Will cut down on my frozen food for the fishes a bit just to be cautious. And il also monitor phosphates and nitrates.
I'm new at Zeo I appreciate ur comments and il keep it in mind. Thanks again.

 

[v1...rotate]

Hi Andrew :wavehand:
Thanks a lot for viewing

Pohl's Xtra
To improve and promote growth of SPS, especially more base encrusting.

Changes iv noticed in 2 weeks with Pohl's Xtra:
- Appearance of more growth tips
- Corals definitely looking more healthy
- Coral colour has stabilized, meaning the browned out ones * * not browning more. The rest of the corals are holding colour. Improvement in colour not seen.
- Water has become very clear
- Less algae deposits on glass = lesser cleaning
- Improved skimmer performance

Coral Vitalizer
As main coral food source and improve polyp extension.
(I was using TLF Coral Snow until now)

I'm on day 2 of dosing CV, haven't noticed any changes.

Thanks Andrew for taking time to answer my queries.
Glad you liked my tiny video presentation
And yea the lil guy is on watchlist. I hope he leaves my LPS alone.

Hi Noob,

Sounds like a lot is happening. My opinions below are based on my experience of running a full zeo tank and not just supplements as in your case.

Monitor the Xtra dosage carefully as I personally wouldn't dose a new product daily from the get go. As M Woodhill stated, also watch for the onset of Cyano. My corals appear to 'glow' a little more (the polyps) after dosing Xtra.

If everything with the tank is great... I'd wait a few more weeks before starting CV. What's the rush?! Again, I wouldn't dose CV daily from the start as it is powerful stuff. Also, hold off on B-Balance too for the moment.

I notice you have LPS corals and they all appear fat and happy from the pictures you show. To me, that means your current feeding regime and amounts are fine so I wouldn't add/change to CV as it may cause a spike in pollutants. Again just an observation.

I use a rule of thumb of waiting one month before introducing a new Zeo product as this allows me to see any changes. It may seem too long but IME it is critical. Also, how quickly your glass accumulates a light green film is a good indication of whether you tank has too many nutrients.

In summary, if you are happy with the tank, don't add or change anything. Try to resist the urge. Wait and see what happens. Remember... the tank is still young and needs time to mature.

Hope that helps and let me know if you have any more questions :thumbsup:

 

[Reef_Noob]

Hi Noob,

Sounds like a lot is happening. My opinions below are based on my experience of running a full zeo tank and not just supplements as in your case.

Monitor the Xtra dosage carefully as I personally wouldn't dose a new product daily from the get go. As M Woodhill stated, also watch for the onset of Cyano. My corals appear to 'glow' a little more (the polyps) after dosing Xtra.

If everything with the tank is great... I'd wait a few more weeks before starting CV. What's the rush?! Again, I wouldn't dose CV daily from the start as it is powerful stuff. Also, hold off on B-Balance too for the moment.

I notice you have LPS corals and they all appear fat and happy from the pictures you show. To me, that means your current feeding regime and amounts are fine so I wouldn't add/change to CV as it may cause a spike in pollutants. Again just an observation.

I use a rule of thumb of waiting one month before introducing a new Zeo product as this allows me to see any changes. It may seem too long but IME it is critical. Also, how quickly your glass accumulates a light green film is a good indication of whether you tank has too many nutrients.

In summary, if you are happy with the tank, don't add or change anything. Try to resist the urge. Wait and see what happens. Remember... the tank is still young and needs time to mature.

Hope that helps and let me know if you have any more questions :thumbsup:

Hi Andrew,
I am extremely grateful for these advices.
Guess I was getting over zealous with Zeo and you noticed it
Xtra as I had mentioned definitely cleared up my water and tank.
CV is doin it's job, I'm observing more PE in the corals day by day.
Less algae film on glass.
First time my tanks got the ULNS feel. Clear water, clear glass and clear rocks.
I had started dosing these additives coz I was noticing my SPS were kinda OK but not in prime health. PE was there but lesser than they had when I found them in my LFS quarantine. Wanted to give a boost and darken colour of my SPS.
I guess il need to hold back on CV, it definately is very potent stuff. Produced it's effect in just the 3 days of dosing it.
The reason I wanted to start/continue CV was, until now I was dosin TLF Coral Snow as my coral food source and wanted to switch to CV as the primary coral food source.

So how does this sound?
Xtra 2 ml thrice a week.
CV 2 drops twice a week.
Continue: Prodibio, GFO and GAC.

Will it be okay or need to adjust?
Thanks so much for takin ur time to help out a Zeo newbie

 

[chingchai]

Hi Noob,

Sounds like a lot is happening. My opinions below are based on my experience of running a full zeo tank and not just supplements as in your case.

Monitor the Xtra dosage carefully as I personally wouldn't dose a new product daily from the get go. As M Woodhill stated, also watch for the onset of Cyano. My corals appear to 'glow' a little more (the polyps) after dosing Xtra.

If everything with the tank is great... I'd wait a few more weeks before starting CV. What's the rush?! Again, I wouldn't dose CV daily from the start as it is powerful stuff. Also, hold off on B-Balance too for the moment.

I notice you have LPS corals and they all appear fat and happy from the pictures you show. To me, that means your current feeding regime and amounts are fine so I wouldn't add/change to CV as it may cause a spike in pollutants. Again just an observation.

I use a rule of thumb of waiting one month before introducing a new Zeo product as this allows me to see any changes. It may seem too long but IME it is critical. Also, how quickly your glass accumulates a light green film is a good indication of whether you tank has too many nutrients.

In summary, if you are happy with the tank, don't add or change anything. Try to resist the urge. Wait and see what happens. Remember... the tank is still young and needs time to mature.

Hope that helps and let me know if you have any more questions :thumbsup:

Great advice. Andrew.
Pure and simple.

 

[Reef_Noob]

Great advice. Andrew.
Pure and simple.

Thanks Chingchai
Yes Andrew's made it pretty clear in his explanation. And I'm following a downgraded dosing schedule already.
Awaiting further instructions from Andrew regarding my dosing schedule.

 

[v1...rotate]

Hi Andrew,
I am extremely grateful for these advices.
Guess I was getting over zealous with Zeo and you noticed it
Xtra as I had mentioned definitely cleared up my water and tank.
CV is doin it's job, I'm observing more PE in the corals day by day.
Less algae film on glass.
First time my tanks got the ULNS feel. Clear water, clear glass and clear rocks.
I had started dosing these additives coz I was noticing my SPS were kinda OK but not in prime health. PE was there but lesser than they had when I found them in my LFS quarantine. Wanted to give a boost and darken colour of my SPS.
I guess il need to hold back on CV, it definately is very potent stuff. Produced it's effect in just the 3 days of dosing it.
The reason I wanted to start/continue CV was, until now I was dosin TLF Coral Snow as my coral food source and wanted to switch to CV as the primary coral food source.

So how does this sound?
Xtra 2 ml thrice a week.
CV 2 drops twice a week.
Continue: Prodibio, GFO and GAC.

Will it be okay or need to adjust?
Thanks so much for takin ur time to help out a Zeo newbie

Those amounts sound good to start with. It's always better to start with low amounts and increase if you think it is required. Monitor everything you have stated above (corals/glass for film/sand deposits/Po4... etc) and give it 2-3weeks before making any changes to what you proposed.

Out of interest, I dose my supplements directly into the display tank at night with the lights out as polyp extension on the corals are greater.

Good luck

 

[Reef_Noob]

Those amounts sound good to start with. It's always better to start with low amounts and increase if you think it is required. Monitor everything you have stated above (corals/glass for film/sand deposits/Po4... etc) and give it 2-3weeks before making any changes to what you proposed.

Out of interest, I dose my supplements directly into the display tank at night with the lights out as polyp extension on the corals are greater.

Good luck

Thanks again Andrew,
I'm glad I asked the Zeo questions to you before things could have gone outta hand. Il be following the reduced dosage. Iv been observing my tank carefully since I started the Zeo suppliments. So far Iv found only good things happening, but as per ur advice il hold back and not get carried away
Will be doing a water change today, then test for parameters and check for changes.
I dose the CV when all lights are ON, Iv found PE more when lights ON than when OFF. I don't know why that's the case. Am I doing something wrong?

And I dose Xtra when only the actinics are ON and 30mins before they go off.
Should they be dosed together?

I love this hobby because it's always a learning curve for me and new things happening all the time....

 

[Reef_Noob]

Iv found PE more when lights ON than when OFF. I don't know why that's the case. Am I doing something wrong?

Sorry I stand corrected....today was observing my SPS few hours into lights OFF...PE is definately more than when the lights are ON.
Whenever I had observered my SPS before, the PE was more when lights were ON and lesser when lights OFF...this was the case till my last night time observation (which was a month ago :headwallblue
So i just assumed thats the case for my tank....i was wrong...

 

[Reef_Noob]

Well on a sad note...iv lost 2 of my tukas.
Gonna try to catch the the other two guys n transfer them to a bigger n mature tank of a friend. Gonna wait for some more user-friendly anthias. Wanna get em young so I can train em to accept all kinds of food.

Kent Reactors are not the easiest to use. Iv changed to TLF reactor for my GFO. It's very easily installed and changing media is a breeze.

 

[Reef_Noob]

Cabinet design...

Mash up of a cabinet design for the Profilux controller and Doser. Included a dosing station too. Just an initial plan of what i have in mind.
The cabinet will be installed separate on the left hand side beside the DT.

Pardon the amateur effort...this is my first ever attempt at doing a 3D model

Welcoming suggestions and ideas from ya all...


Exterior...

 

[Reef_Noob]

Interior...

 

[Acronic]

dont tell me you are putting an Iphone in the door!?!?!?!?! U crazy kid!