Geezer's Reasonable Reef Build

[reefgeezer]

I'll post some tomorrow. The tank is kinda grungy. I'm trying to take my own advice & quit messing with it. It now gets no carbon dosing, GFO, or dosing other than a little nitrate every couple of weeks. It still tests really low but there is a little algae. I'm tfying to ler the clean up crew handle it.?

 

[reefgeezer]

OK, so I took some pictures shortly after the lights came on...

I'm trying to wait out a slight algae/detritus issue and for the tank to find its "balance" while pursuing summertime hobbies. It's kinda ugly right now.
Zoom in and you'll see a little fuzz on the rocks and some Cyano. I'm not exactly sure what the "fuzz" is, but it isn't really spreading or getting thicker. Small areas of Cyano come & go.

Nitrates today read 2.5 ppm, Salifert, and phosphates are 11 ppb, Hanna ULR. I dosed potassium nitrate 5 days ago to set the nitrate level @ over 5 ppm. It has dropped quite a bit. I've been having to dose about every two weeks to keep nitrates above 0. I'm not sure what keeps it so low. I wouldn't think there is enough algae/cyano to bind it, and I'm not carbon dosing anymore. It really is just rock, a skimmer, and small water changes right now. I've even set the skimmer to a drier output. I've changed about 50 gallons sporadically over the last three months. I should do more and at a more regular basis but time is tight right now. I'm contemplating using my Litremeter III for continuous water changes. It's just sitting around right now.

I've added a dozen Astrea Snails, an Urchin, and have about 10 red-legged hermits. They seem to help keep the algae & such under control but don't eliminate it. I also use one of the RW8's power heads and a brush to get stuff off the rocks about weekly, but it comes back.

The corals that acclimated to the tank are growing quickly but have yet to color up well. I did kill a few very nice frags in the process. Expensive lesson! Interestingly, the corals that are doing the best are Maricultured rather than tank raised.

The fish seem to be healthy. The Kole Tang that showed a lot of lateral line/hole-in-the-head disease symptoms is on the mend and everyone else seems happy & healthy. I think that removing the GAC and allowing some algae to grow in the tank helped the Kole Tang recover.

 

[tonyespinoza]

thanks for the pics. everything looks fine - nothing to be shy about!

good to hear the tang is better. GAC is powerful stuff, it seems.

i'm sure it will continue to mature and settle in nicely!

 

[sirreal63]

OK, so I took some pictures shortly after the lights came on...

I'm trying to wait out a slight algae/detritus issue and for the tank to find its "balance" while pursuing summertime hobbies. It's kinda ugly right now.
Zoom in and you'll see a little fuzz on the rocks and some Cyano. I'm not exactly sure what the "fuzz" is, but it isn't really spreading or getting thicker. Small areas of Cyano come & go.

Nitrates today read 2.5 ppm, Salifert, and phosphates are 11 ppb, Hanna ULR. I dosed potassium nitrate 5 days ago to set the nitrate level @ over 5 ppm. It has dropped quite a bit. I've been having to dose about every two weeks to keep nitrates above 0. I'm not sure what keeps it so low. I wouldn't think there is enough algae/cyano to bind it, and I'm not carbon dosing anymore. It really is just rock, a skimmer, and small water changes right now. I've even set the skimmer to a drier output. I've changed about 50 gallons sporadically over the last three months. I should do more and at a more regular basis but time is tight right now. I'm contemplating using my Litremeter III for continuous water changes. It's just sitting around right now.

I've added a dozen Astrea Snails, an Urchin, and have about 10 red-legged hermits. They seem to help keep the algae & such under control but don't eliminate it. I also use one of the RW8's power heads and a brush to get stuff off the rocks about weekly, but it comes back.

The corals that acclimated to the tank are growing quickly but have yet to color up well. I did kill a few very nice frags in the process. Expensive lesson! Interestingly, the corals that are doing the best are Maricultured rather than tank raised.

The fish seem to be healthy. The Kole Tang that showed a lot of lateral line/hole-in-the-head disease symptoms is on the mend and everyone else seems happy & healthy. I think that removing the GAC and allowing some algae to grow in the tank helped the Kole Tang recover.

John, it looks fine. A very old member here once said a tank without algae is a tank in trouble, or something like that.

 

[reefgeezer]

Thank all. I am ready to start putting corals in this thing again. I've kinda changed my mind as to the kind of corals though. I'm going to make it a mixed reef & the SPS will be easy to keep specimens like Monti's and such.

Also, I have a question for anyone who cares to comment... I want to add a fish or two to help keep the nitrates up. They have to be able to defend themselves and I really need color. Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[reefgeezer]

Update

Update

It was too friggin' hot to go fishing so I decided to address my ugly rock issue. In the process I decided to rearrange to provide more swimming room for the fish.

I'll need the room as I've decided what fish to add... A Melanurus Wrasse and a Navarchus Angelfish. Yea, I know... a few challenges... lots of added bioload and an Angel that is a little big for the tank and may pick at some corals and clams. I do really want an Angel though. I'm at a good place to make this selection now. I can avoid clams and LPS the Angel is more likely to bother. In addition, the added bioload might actually get the nutrient levels up without dosing.

I did a 35 gallon water change, removed & scrubbed any rock that didn't have a coral attached with peroxide, and cleaned the sump. I accidentally fragged the Monti a little, but that's ok. I kinda wanted to spread it out some anyway.

Here's some pictures of the results.

 

[RioReefr]

I briefly read through your thread and it seems like you hate algae a lot. You have a ton of posts (so you know your stuff), but from my own personal experience that Trochus Snails do a wonderful job at eating algae off the rocks and glass/backwalls. When they fall, they also seem to right themselves back up without too much trouble. I think they a "must-have" to a tank.

In regards to hydrogen peroxide, that stuff really binds well to algae and kills it almost instantly. I have personally dosed a very small amount (5 mL) directly into the tank. Waited about 15-20 minutes, then did a 20% water change. Pretty much all my corals closed up, but the next day everything looked great.
I took a 10 mL syringe, filled it half-way with H202 and squirted it right into the middle of the tank. Its interesting seeing how it binds to the algae on the corals and rocks and fizzles away. Just be super careful using it. Most reefers probably would highly recommend NOT doing this, but it worked for me. But, a small amount and then a water change works for me. I do it about once a month.

 

[reefgeezer]

I briefly read through your thread and it seems like you hate algae a lot. You have a ton of posts (so you know your stuff), but from my own personal experience that Trochus Snails do a wonderful job at eating algae off the rocks and glass/backwalls. When they fall, they also seem to right themselves back up without too much trouble. I think they a "must-have" to a tank.

In regards to hydrogen peroxide, that stuff really binds well to algae and kills it almost instantly. I have personally dosed a very small amount (5 mL) directly into the tank. Waited about 15-20 minutes, then did a 20% water change. Pretty much all my corals closed up, but the next day everything looked great.
I took a 10 mL syringe, filled it half-way with H202 and squirted it right into the middle of the tank. Its interesting seeing how it binds to the algae on the corals and rocks and fizzles away. Just be super careful using it. Most reefers probably would highly recommend NOT doing this, but it worked for me. But, a small amount and then a water change works for me. I do it about once a month.

"Hate" is a strong word... except when it comes to the ugly fuzzy detritus trapping algae or whatever it was that was on my rocks! Yea, I may be a little OCD when it comes to algae.

I do like using peroxide outside the tank, but I'm not big on the idea of putting it in the tank. I will order some Trochus Snails though. I've been planning to do that for a while. I guess it's time to get off my butt & do it. Thanks for the advice.

 

[reefgeezer]

Testing: 6 Days After Water Change & Cleaning

Testing: 6 Days After Water Change & Cleaning

Nitrate: 0 Salifert
Phosphate: 1 ppb Hanna... Basically 0

No surprise. I also found my nitrate/phosphate sink. The overflow has become an ATS. Cool with me. I removed some of the slimier stuff but left quite a bit to grow.

I also decided to dose a little vinegar just to promote bacterial diversity. I set up a doser to add 20 ml/day. It's been running all week.

A Male Melanarus Wrasse and Navarchus Angel should arrive early next week. We'll see what effects they have on nutrient levels once they make it into the display tank. Adding a little nitrate & phosphate will have to suffice until then.

 

[reefgeezer]

Another Update

Another Update

The Navarchus Angel & and Melanarus Wrasse are now members of the tank. It's been in the works for quite a while but appears to be worth the wait. The Angel is an adult about 4" and the Wrasse is male but still smallish, about 3". The Wrasse ate immediately after acclimation. The Angel started venturing out of hiding and picking at the rocks last night, and doesn't show any signs of stress.

The Tangs are being their normal A-hole selves, but they're not bothering the Angel too much so far. They spend most of their time bullying each other. It's also kind of funny... The new Wrasse seems like he's too stupid to know the Tangs are trying to bully him, or maybe he's just a bad-azz. He ignores them and they lose interest and go away.

For now, here's the fish stock list:

4" Navarchus Angel, Adult
3.75" Yellow Tang
3.5" Kole Tang
3" Melanarus Wrasse, Male
2.5" Flame Hawk
2X Percula Clowns
2X Big azz ugly Chromis (unless I can catch them)
Blue Damsel

I don't know if I've reached the stock limit but I'm sure it's close. We'll see what happens to nutrient levels.

 

[reefgeezer]

Couple Pictures

Couple Pictures

The new Angel is making himself right at home. He's already out and swimming with the Tangs and starting to pick at food. So far he's eaten Mysis, Brine, and an Angelfish Blend. He's not a pig yet but hopefully that will come. The Wrasse acts like he's been there forever. The Tangs have even given up on the bullying thing. Neither look a bit stressed. Their mouths are closed, respiration is pretty slow, and their gill plates barely move.

Not great shots but here's a couple of pictures.

 

[reefgeezer]

So I raised nitrate to 2.5 to 5 ppm last week. I added two bigger fish & went from feeding 1 cube of frozen food to three. Nitrate reading today... 0! Phosphate test shows 0 also.

The skimmer is cup fills every three days or so with thick greenish-black liquid. It's obviously working well, maybe too well, but I'm hesitant to shut it off.

I suppose dosing nitrate & phosphate is more controllable than over feeding, reducing filtration, & etc. I'll wait a while to see if the new bioload kicks nutrients up. I'll give it another week & check again.

 

[lpsouth1978]

How is the Melanarus doing? I would worry that it would be VERY stressed in a bare bottom system. They require a DSB to bury themselves in at night and when scared.

 

[reefgeezer]

How is the Melanarus doing? I would worry that it would be VERY stressed in a bare bottom system. They require a DSB to bury themselves in at night and when scared.

He's fine. He came out of a bare bottom tank. I've kept many Wrasses, including a Melanarus over the years in bare bottom tanks. I sold my last one a year ago when I broke down my old 75. It was bare bottom. There are wrasses that don't do as well though. Leopard Wrasses come to mind.

 

[reefgeezer]

Long Overdue Update

Long Overdue Update

So the bioload hasn't changed. The tank has though. I've gotten rid of the fuzzy brown Cyano. To get rid of it, I manually removed every little bit I could, did some big water changes back to back, left the lights off for a few days, stopped carbon dosing, stopped adding nitrates, and increased GFO for a while.

After the lights came on and I reduced GFO to almost nothing. Some hair algae started growing and a couple little spots of Red Cyano popped up, but the clean-up crew and the Tangs have kept it under control. Since then I've left the tank alone except for water changes. The brown fuzzy Cyano hasn't returned.

The tank doesn't test for nitrate or phosphate but I know it's there because of the hair algae. I still haven't added any more corals but the few I have are growing well. SPS color is still an issue but I suspect I need more light.

I've added a 44 Gallon Brute beside the tank to hold salt water with a dedicated pump and hose. That has increased my water change frequency and volume, and let me match the water chemistry prior to the changes. I'm getting about 15% a week... well an average of 15% a week... I'm still lazy. More often 30 gallons every two weeks, sometimes 15 gallons a week... every once in a while 40 gallons after 3 weeks!

So, along with the water changes and wiping the glass every few days, the tank now runs with just a skimmer and about 60-70 lbs of rock. I'm hoping the tank is entering the mature stage.

 

[reefgeezer]

Oops... I forgot. I used one conservative round of Chemi-Kleen per the box directions just before starting the water changes. The results were very positive after just 48 hours with most of the Cyano disappearing. The remaining disappeared quickly after a couple of big water changes and a few days of lights out. With the changes in management of the tank, it has not returned.