At the risk of repeating myself .....
At the risk of repeating myself .....
Almost nine months up and running, with pretty nice results. Not problem-free, but overall very satisfying. Lingering issues:
- I am still having some issues with keeping alkalinity at my preferred level of 9 dkh. Currently tank is stable at about 7, despite my efforts to increase dosing of 2-part.
- This tank also seems somewhat 'intolerant; of LPS - a large frogspawn that was doing very well is now quite significantly less extended than it was, despite my having moved it a few times; likewise for one of (but not both) the torch corals. Only coral I have lost so far in this tank was an open brain, so perhaps they are getting picked at.
- Ich problems seem to have passd off - its been close to two months since I saw any spots (on the Achilles, of course) so perhaps the problem has resolved itself without drastic intervention on my part
The waterfall style ATS that I build based on suggestions from the ATS thread here on RC has performed beyond my expectations. Along with the MTC skimmer, it has allowed me to consistently feed this tank very heavily (5 times per day) without commensurate buildup of wastes.
Very happy with MTC skimmer and calcium reactor; about the only thing I'd change would be to go with a slightly larger main sump (120 instead of a 75).
From a husbandry perspective, I use no dedicated mechanical filtration, preferring to employ settling chambers in the sump, never vacuum the sand, preferring to have the CUC keep things clean, and change 40 gallons every other week. Dosing is kept to a minimum: alkalinity, calcium, magnesium as required, and iron. Proof is in the proverbial 'pudding' .....
.... and a FTS today .....
..... versus Day 1 .....
I've had to move things around a bit, particularly a soft coral that was over-shading my blue maxima clam - latter seems much happier for the clearer neighborhood. I keep telling myself that I'm done with fish, and I am close, but a Chevron Tang proved too nice to pass up. That will be it though. Most of the SPS are now growing to the point that I'll have to start fragging them; I have a few spots remaining for something spectacular than may present itself at some point. The open sandy area towards the middle will remain that way unless I can find myself a Gigas clam at some point. Still need to get a Crocea, just haven't seen one at what I'd consider a reasonable price.