As I stand the system is looking pretty good. I had a slight outbreak of Bryopsis but I harvested the algae out and am boosting Mag with Tech M for back up.
I see a couple of flaws with my system and I went shopping online to remedy some of the things, plus try some new things out:
- Surface skimmer: Even with the Whisper 20i and a MJ-900 breaking the surface I still have surface scum. I am going to attach a surface skimmer to the MJ breaking the surface. This should solve my surface scum issue, but at the same time also solve my probably lack of aeration for the tank. We'll see, I am looking forward to trying it out.
- 120 oz of Tech M, I ran out and Drsfostersmith has a good price on them.
- Polyfilter: I've always wanted to try this out so I bought a three-pack. I'll update with the results.
- Whisper 20i bags: I am out. I use this mainly when I stir up the sand bed or turkey basting the tank to collect the detritus and prevent a cloud from appearing.
Another thing I am excited about is my slow transition from using 2 X aquasuns + 1 X super actinic VHO bulbs to using 3 X 50/50 Uri VHO. Thus far I am still in the first month switching out one bulb... but I am almost due for the second bulb switch. My Christmas present from my sister was two more 50/50 bulbs and I should get them this week. So far the corals seem to like it fine.
Speaking of the corals they are doing very, very well. At the suggestion of Aquabucket, I let my tank go dark for a day. The next day the corals were definitely fuller and looked really nice. I'll continue doing this once a month for the next couple of months and report my results, though the state of my corals could be better linked to many other things!
I'm still dosing iodine but on a very occasional basis.. MAYBE once or twice a month. I'll eventually decide my plans for either more consistency or to stop dosing period.
My plans for a chaeto ball in the tank's center has failed. In almost a week the ball disappeared. I think the damsels have torn it apart.. but oh well.. better luck next time I guess.
I am still deciding whether I want the damsels out or will add and pray the new fish stick around. I am still leaning towards getting rid of the damsels and putting in a new fish population. I still like the idea of sticking in a Cherub Angel, six-line wrasse, and a couple other peaceful fish.
I want to stick some moonlights into the tank. I'll prob go with what I did last time years ago.. a cold cathode tube (computer lighting). Though I like the blue better, I'll prob go with a red one unless my research tells me that fish don't care with color you choose between the two.
