Introductions

[kscotbarr]

Thanks for all the suggestions and comments.

I've been busy this weekend making some changes. I got rid of most of my substrate (and there was a good bit of junk in there), so now I only have an inch of crushed coral, which I intend to vacuum well when I do water changes. I also plumbed a new Octopus DNW 150 skimmer inline from my one overflow, and set up a remote DSB (5 gallon bucket of sand) from my second overflow.

I plan to test my nitrate levels weekly to see what difference these adjustments make.

 

[kscotbarr]

Pat- What foods are considered "high quality" and what are foods that might be more likely to contribute to high nitrates? I currently feed once, sometimes twice a day, with a combination of flake foods, pellets, and mysis shrimp (the mysis only several times a week). I also feed the tank a powdered phyto mix and Cyclopeeze about once a week, and keep a clip of lettuce for my Tangs most of the time.

 

[kscotbarr]

As for an RO/DI filter, that's been on my list for a little while. My biggest challenge (aside from fitting it into my aquarium budget) is figuring out how to set it up along with large storage containers in my small one bedroom apartment. I may continue to lug my 5 gallon buckets from Weis until I move to a bigger place.

 

[lpkenneys]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15696067#post15696067 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kscotbarr
Pat- What foods are considered "high quality" and what are foods that might be more likely to contribute to high nitrates? I currently feed once, sometimes twice a day, with a combination of flake foods, pellets, and mysis shrimp (the mysis only several times a week). I also feed the tank a powdered phyto mix and Cyclopeeze about once a week, and keep a clip of lettuce for my Tangs most of the time.

I think, (and this is just my opinion) that that is to much feeding for the size tank you you have,I like Matt, feed about every other day as far as flake or pellet and as for mysis shrimp or frozen foods maybe one a week to two weeks. the frozen foods have way to much protein and fatty acids in them so you have to use them sparingly. I would instead of feeding the tangs lettuce(due to all the pesticides these days) feed Nori or seaweed its much better for them. And please remember...this is just my opinion

 

[volcom69]

The best advice i can give you is do not under estimate a good skimmer, i did for many years and i always wonder why my sps would not color up or grow. Well i just got my new skimmer about 4 months ago i went with the BK160, and it has been the best thing i ever spent my money on in this tank. Its very expensive but very worth it.

My corals now have the best color that i have seen and they have grown out of control. In fact im out of room and have no where else to place any, and i have many frags right now i need to get rid of. Just remember a good skimmer will go along way in helping you fight and no3 or po4 problems. Good luck!

 

[kscotbarr]

volcom69 - If I were a richer man I would spring for the Bubble King, too! As it is, I did upgrade to an Octopus DNWB 150, which seems to be working pretty well. It's a recirculating skimmer, and I have it plumbed directly from one of my overflow lines. However, in order to get the water level up to where I want it I have to close the output line almost the whole way, which isn't going to work. I need to rework my plumbing this weekend, probably joining both of my overflow lines into one and then running it into the skimmer to get more pressure. I'm trying to figure the best way to do all of this, especially considering space restrictions in the aquarium cabinet.

 

[volcom69]

I would also skim wet for awhile when trying to lower your no3 and po4 levels. Once you get the levels where you want then try to skim dryier. As others said i would not feed heavy, but also dont starve your fish/corals by not feeding enough. Once you get your levels down and your skimmer going again then you should be ok to feed alittle more. Since i got my new skimmer i feed like crazy, my sps seem to love the extra food in there.

Also another way i got my no3 down was i used seachem denitrate and i put it in a po4 reactor and i set the ball valve really low only letting about 25-50gph to flow through the reactor, and it seemed to work great. Since doing all of this i no longer use and type of no3 or po4 remover only thing i use is carbon, and heavy skimming.