Finally! 34g cube!

[zachfishman]

Ready for this month's frag auction!

 

[zachfishman]

It's been a while since I've updated. I've shared with many at TBRC meetings that I've been struggling with coral health. Pretty much since starting I've had poor coloration, poor polyp extension, and practically zero growth. Corals added to the system would appear healthy initially (look at the pink frogspawn on the lower left of the previous post), maybe grow a little, but then slowly lose color and PE. Fish and inverts are fine (I have TONS of pods), and algae grows happily (when does it not? ). All measurable params are normal and double checked against separate tests and equipment.

Here are the corals back in February:

Magician zoas looking pale:
<a href="http://s989.photobucket.com/user/zachfishman/media/34g%20Solana/IMG_419320copy_1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af11/zachfishman/34g%20Solana/IMG_419320copy_1.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_419320copy_1.jpg"/></a>

Week-old birdsnest frag losing color, zero PE:
<a href="http://s989.photobucket.com/user/zachfishman/media/34g%20Solana/IMG_4192%20copy.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af11/zachfishman/34g%20Solana/IMG_4192%20copy.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_4192 copy.jpg"/></a>

Purple hornet frag with the same number of polyps for over three months:
<a href="http://s989.photobucket.com/user/zachfishman/media/34g%20Solana/cc22a922-e452-4cfe-b249-792578441f1d.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af11/zachfishman/34g%20Solana/cc22a922-e452-4cfe-b249-792578441f1d.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo cc22a922-e452-4cfe-b249-792578441f1d.jpg"/></a>

Decent Acro frag; you can see encrustation at the base:
<a href="http://s989.photobucket.com/user/zachfishman/media/34g%20Solana/IMG_4188%20copy_1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af11/zachfishman/34g%20Solana/IMG_4188%20copy_1.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_4188 copy_1.jpg"/></a>

 

[zachfishman]

Most of the corals slowly worsened through March. Everything would perk up a little (more polyp extension) after any large water change (30-40%) which I did ~weekly through March and much of April. I lost every SPS, including a M. spongodes that actually had good color and PE the whole way through. It (like the rest of the SPS) would occasionally lose a small patch of tissue but never regrow.

The corals in March:

Palys I got from kcnsook back in November. Very pale. Still the same 2.5 polyps:
<a href="http://s989.photobucket.com/user/zachfishman/media/34g%20Solana/IMG_420120copy.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af11/zachfishman/34g%20Solana/IMG_420120copy.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_420120copy.jpg"/></a>

Frogspawn not growing, poor PE:
<a href="http://s989.photobucket.com/user/zachfishman/media/34g%20Solana/IMG_4202%20copy.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af11/zachfishman/34g%20Solana/IMG_4202%20copy.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_4202 copy.jpg"/></a>

All SPS lost:
<a href="http://s989.photobucket.com/user/zachfishman/media/34g%20Solana/IMG_4203%20copy.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af11/zachfishman/34g%20Solana/IMG_4203%20copy.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_4203 copy.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s989.photobucket.com/user/zachfishman/media/34g%20Solana/IMG_4207%20copy.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af11/zachfishman/34g%20Solana/IMG_4207%20copy.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_4207 copy.jpg"/></a>

Same old hornets as November:
<a href="http://s989.photobucket.com/user/zachfishman/media/34g%20Solana/IMG_420420copy.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af11/zachfishman/34g%20Solana/IMG_420420copy.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_420420copy.jpg"/></a>

"New" hammer frag; should be expanded to 2-3x that size:
<a href="http://s989.photobucket.com/user/zachfishman/media/34g%20Solana/IMG_4205%20copy.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af11/zachfishman/34g%20Solana/IMG_4205%20copy.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_4205 copy.jpg"/></a>

Magicians have closed and slowly shrunk to nubbins. Coralline looking good though
<a href="http://s989.photobucket.com/user/zachfishman/media/34g%20Solana/IMG_4206%20copy.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af11/zachfishman/34g%20Solana/IMG_4206%20copy.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_4206 copy.jpg"/></a>

 

[zachfishman]

Only recently have I seen some improvement. I still have no growth (save ONE new dragon eye zoa polyp), but color is dramatically improved. I really haven't changed anything about my regimen though, and params are no different. My current guess is that my container store sump has been leaching some noxious chemical, and the worst of it has passed. I've ordered a custom acrylic sump to replace it next week. Hopefully that does it.

The corals in May:

Green zoas and large palys looking much better:
<a href="http://s989.photobucket.com/user/zachfishman/media/34g%20Solana/IMG_4286_1%20copy.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af11/zachfishman/34g%20Solana/IMG_4286_1%20copy.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_4286_1 copy.jpg"/></a>

Frogspawn still struggling, a little tissue loss since March. My dragon eye zoa(s) doubled from one to two! :debi: I actually had to chip away that coralline because it was smothering the zoas
<a href="http://s989.photobucket.com/user/zachfishman/media/34g%20Solana/IMG_4288%20copy.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af11/zachfishman/34g%20Solana/IMG_4288%20copy.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_4288 copy.jpg"/></a>

Hammer still unhappy:
<a href="http://s989.photobucket.com/user/zachfishman/media/34g%20Solana/IMG_4290%20copy.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af11/zachfishman/34g%20Solana/IMG_4290%20copy.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_4290 copy.jpg"/></a>

Sole surviving magician; good color. It grew back from a nubbin in a single good tank week in April:
<a href="http://s989.photobucket.com/user/zachfishman/media/34g%20Solana/IMG_4291%20copy.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af11/zachfishman/34g%20Solana/IMG_4291%20copy.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_4291 copy.jpg"/></a>

These hornets might as well be a sculpture haha:
<a href="http://s989.photobucket.com/user/zachfishman/media/34g%20Solana/IMG_4292%20copy.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af11/zachfishman/34g%20Solana/IMG_4292%20copy.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_4292 copy.jpg"/></a>


Happy reefing!

 

[anbosu]

I would try running some polyfilter or extra carbon to see if you can get whatever it is out of your system.

 

[zachfishman]

I would try running some polyfilter or extra carbon to see if you can get whatever it is out of your system.

I had been running a few TBSP of ROX carbon. Oddly, things are looking better now that I've stopped using carbon (out of laziness).

 

[anbosu]

I had been running a few TBSP of ROX carbon. Oddly, things are looking better now that I've stopped using carbon (out of laziness).

That is weird - do you feed much?

 

[snake1]

How bright is the lighting it looks like a lot

 

[zachfishman]

That is weird - do you feed much?

I do feed more as of late. Added a swarm of 8 damsels to the tank last month.

 

[zachfishman]

How bright is the lighting it looks like a lot

Lighting is the standard Solana disco ball: 150w DE halide. I run it 7hrs a day; Ushio 14K

 

[bmullikin1]

you might have been stripping the water too clean, thus no nutrients for corals

 

[zachfishman]

UPDATE: I finally got a replacement sump. I also took the opportunity to add active ventilation to the cabinet - a pair of 120mm USB powered fans (one blowing in, one out) It became apparent that I really needed to do so, I had mold growing!

Hopefully removing the old plastic storage bin sump will help - no more slow leaching of noxious chemicals.

New sump next to old. Custom by Suncoast Aquarium and Pet Supply in Clearwater:


Drilling 4.5" holes for the computer fans:


Both fans mounted. Nice and quiet. They really produce a decent whirlwind in the cabinet!


Sitting pretty:

 

[snake1]

Looks very nice Zach

 

[bigzman]

Zach try a poly filter it has done great by when carbon alone was not cutting it. Nice setup

 

[zachfishman]

Zach try a poly filter it has done great by when carbon alone was not cutting it. Nice setup

Thanks I will. If there was something noxious contributed by the old sump it'll probably be leaching out of the rocks and sand for a while...

 

[bigzman]

Reply

Reply

Agree, If there was something noxious it will leach back. Hopefully you can export it with poly filter

Thanks I will. If there was something noxious contributed by the old sump it'll probably be leaching out of the rocks and sand for a while...

 

[zachfishman]

After a couple weeks, things are looking a little better. Not much growth but definitely better PE. I think I'm finally ready to try a few new frags.

The frogspawn has shown the most improvement. And another Dragon Eye zoa!


The solo Magician zoa is looking better; still no new polyps though. The hammer is still a little pale, but definitely seems happier.

 

[zachfishman]

I think it's pretty conclusive now. Everything is growing and looking good:





The first new magicians in 6 months!

 

[Mrs Postal]

Looks great and just in time for next month's meeting! I still think you need a pair of Lee's clownfish!

 

[Cmullin66]

Yea,looks good. Lots of life now.