GvineReefer
New member
That seems like a ton of direct flow and the clowns are fighting to stay near it. I'd re-direct some of the flow if you can. That may cause stress to them...
Jonny's Elos System 70
- Thread starter jonnybravo22
- Start date
Couple of questions before answering yours. What are your water parameters and are there any that you have trouble maintaining? What's your total system volume? Do you plan on changing the stocking levels in your tank or are you going to let things grow out the way they are?
Since you're adding GFO you may want to look at running your carbon in the same reactor. While not ideal to run both in the same reactor it will work. The carbon will work more effectively when you're pushing water through it as opposed to have a filter bag in your sump and since GFO breaks down as it tumbles the carbon will trap those fine particles before they can enter your sump/tank. Bulk Reef Supply has videos on setting up a reactor to run both. You should check them out.
If you're having trouble maintaining water parameters, specifically calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium then dosing is something you may want to look into. Since you have a controller you can easily setup dosing pumps to maintain the ca and alk levels necessary for your corals. I run two Drew's dosing pumps using my Reef Keeper Elite and maintain consistent water parameters. As most SPS keepers will tell you, consistency is crucial when trying to grow corals.
I don't know you're total water volume but I'm guessing you're in the vicinity of 70 gallons. I don't know how heavily you're feeding but since you've mentioned having some algae upgrading your skimmer might not be a bad idea. That Vertex IN-80 is probably right at it's limit since it's rated to 80 gallons.
Just some thoughts, but if you're looking at upgrades those are some things I'd consider. It's always fun spending others peoples money.
Mike
jonnybravo22
New member
that is indirect flow. the powerhead (Mp40 is not facing them, it's bouncing off the opposite wall and interacting with opposing return pump). as i hinted at in the post thought it was cranked all the way up to highest setting, in the "stir up debris from sandbed" mode on the mp40ew. I dont normally keep the flow that high so, to your point, it is lowered.
thanks for the input. i have heard mixed views on flow for giganteas /clowns though -- i've seen some people say that clowns are used to fighting the waves in the ocean and it will keep them strong / in shape. others have your take. my flow regularly falls out sort of in the middle, where the fish react to it ocassionally but can mostly find a spot to just relax wedged in the anemone.
thanks for the thoughtful considerations. i didnt get to taking measurements tonight but i'll post my params soon. partly i am not sure i trust a) the accuracy or b) my execution skills on the test kits. i have always gotten 0 phosphate on my elos kits even though i have some algae. seems like the results are pretty consistent though, as i have never tested and found any big swings (usually the measurements are exactly the same every time, but i do not test often at all).
the sump adds about something like ~10-15 gallons to the 55 display so yeah right around 70g is probably a safe guess.
also i am running the dual purpose single reactor with both GFO and carbon. the exact one you pointed to.
as far as stocking i'm pretty happy with the 2 butterflies and the clowns, anemone and corals. i will probably add a few more corals but not many, and just watch them grow out. i may add 1 more decent sized fish (a dwarf angel or another butterfly) or a small group of small fish (like chromis or something) but not really in a hurry to do either. probably leaning towards 1 more fish down the road though.
that's the challenge on the skimmer -- it's doing a great job ... i think! i dont know how much more i should expect from say a BK mini, even though it's nearly a $1k investment. the price suggests to me that it should be REALLY great, but is it going to skim much more and cause any noticeable improvement in tank when the cheap Vertex is doing well as is?
you and others have got me thinking more about dosing big 3. seems like it would be less complicated / take less room than trying to do calc and alk reactors.
jonnybravo22
New member
so i will be upgrading my skimmer. i'm thinking i'm going to try mb7 + vodka on my system so i need to have a solid skimmer and i think my vertex in-80 is probably close to its limit now.
it's also not very quiet - in fact, i've been shutting it off on a timer at night so i can sleep better - i would love to have a silent skimmer.
quieter skimmer for small space?
bubble king mini or atb 840?
it's also not very quiet - in fact, i've been shutting it off on a timer at night so i can sleep better - i would love to have a silent skimmer.
quieter skimmer for small space?
bubble king mini or atb 840?
jonnybravo22
New member
someone asked if gigantea's tentacles vibrate, and trying to help show this to them gave me an opportunity to test out a recently acquired macro lens!
all pumps were turned off so you could see the "vibrating" tentacles. clowns come in every now and then and push them around but if you pay attention you'll see individual tentacles moving on their own.
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all pumps were turned off so you could see the "vibrating" tentacles. clowns come in every now and then and push them around but if you pay attention you'll see individual tentacles moving on their own.
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jonnybravo22
New member
ok, i've narrowed my skimmer search down. the bk mini just seems wildly overpriced, older technology and probably bigger than my system needs anyway so why pay so much for it?
i discovered the SRO 1000SSS Cone and i really like the small footprint, cone design, and the pump seems like a good one. it's rated higher than my current skimmer by a good bit so i think it would probably be a good fit (almost bought it today but it's out of stock). Only other skimmer i am sort of considering is the ATB 840, mainly because the company has been well reviewed over time so i know a bit about it's reputation. but it has a larger footprint which I could probably squeeze into the sump, but i dont know how it is on noise, and have the sense that it's more sensitive / finicky / may require more tinkering to get it to perform properly, especially on a system that's smaller than the rating and not overstocked. would like to decide by monday as that's when the SRO is back in stock, so if anyone has thoughts / opinons please share! thanks!
i discovered the SRO 1000SSS Cone and i really like the small footprint, cone design, and the pump seems like a good one. it's rated higher than my current skimmer by a good bit so i think it would probably be a good fit (almost bought it today but it's out of stock). Only other skimmer i am sort of considering is the ATB 840, mainly because the company has been well reviewed over time so i know a bit about it's reputation. but it has a larger footprint which I could probably squeeze into the sump, but i dont know how it is on noise, and have the sense that it's more sensitive / finicky / may require more tinkering to get it to perform properly, especially on a system that's smaller than the rating and not overstocked. would like to decide by monday as that's when the SRO is back in stock, so if anyone has thoughts / opinons please share! thanks!
allsps40
New member
Tank is looking great, poof that LEDs work for sps and well. The AI fixture is the best out IMO, the power and control is great with the right controller. You may want to feed the corals and the fish a little more to help with color. I have found that 0 no3 is not rally the best for sps color. I have gotten mine up to 3-5 ppm, feeding more and colors have improved.
jonnybravo22
New member
i used a customized mounting system i purchased from RAM Mounts. you could google them. it's an arm bracket attached to the wall and the AI lights are attached to the wall mount.
Yeah i'm new at SPS as well so it's still a learning experience getting my SPS looking their best. Thanks for the tip though -- i've sort of started this recently as well as thinking about amino acids.
jonnybravo22
New member
So - my clownfish pair have been a breeding pair for a while now, and i've never raised the fry.
I decided this past week that i am going to raise the next batch, which they are laying right now as i type! i will update this thread with progress and pictures. fingers crossed!
I decided this past week that i am going to raise the next batch, which they are laying right now as i type! i will update this thread with progress and pictures. fingers crossed!
jonnybravo22
New member
what brand / product? i picked up some Elos omega.
jonnybravo22
New member
It is customized, they allow you to build your own mount for pretty much anything, i used the following items to make my bracket. and i just used screws the same size as the AI screws only longer and with a "screwdriver compatible" end to attach to the base plate
201u-d
208
111B
109V-BU
109-1ATP
jonnybravo22
New member
so.... i started the rotifer culture today!!! going to try to raise the batch of eggs that my clowns laid over last weekend. think they should hatch sometime this weekend.
this feels like that scene in Indiana Jones where there are invisible steps and he's just like well... guess i'll go for it!
this feels like that scene in Indiana Jones where there are invisible steps and he's just like well... guess i'll go for it!
jonnybravo22
New member
a few updates
the fry that have survived so far are doing well
interesting experience for sure. they have gone through the meta and look like little tiny fish now which is gcool. and they have their headstripe.
as for the main tank, i think i overdid it on the amino acid dosing, and that couple with missing a water change, and dosing mb7, i found my tank going the wrong way.
got an outbreak of green and brown hair algae, and now the glass is constantly dusted with a green mist (not sure if that's bacteria from mb7 or aa residue). on top of that i had recently changed salts to Tropic Marin Pro vs. Tropic Marin (regular) and i think it has lower dkh. i pretty much lost my plum crazy, but i fragged two tips to try to save it. the other corals are fighting to overcome hair algae growing all around and on dead parts of the corals
worse, my joe seems to have burnt tips (low dkh?)
so what am i doing about all this? well i upped the w/c routine and have done 2 of my normal weekly w/cs in the last 2 days. will try to do 2 a wk vs 1 a wk for a little while. got a few more snails, and took out the sand to get everything clean before i add it back. i also added a few extra lbs of LR. i took out the GFO that i hadnt changed since adding it :/
i think it'll be back on track before long, just hope i can save the corals.
OH! and here's the craziest part. the red planet has all of a sudden gotten MUCH darker. so clearly it was a lack of nutrient issue that the combo of AAs and more feedings seems to have helped. it had faded to almost white (see earlier pages) and i wasnt sure if it was the lights or the water. now it's getting that deep flesh color it had when i first got it, and hints of the nice red under the LEDs. so, if i can save it that'll be cool.
never dull
the fry that have survived so far are doing well
interesting experience for sure. they have gone through the meta and look like little tiny fish now which is gcool. and they have their headstripe.as for the main tank, i think i overdid it on the amino acid dosing, and that couple with missing a water change, and dosing mb7, i found my tank going the wrong way.
got an outbreak of green and brown hair algae, and now the glass is constantly dusted with a green mist (not sure if that's bacteria from mb7 or aa residue). on top of that i had recently changed salts to Tropic Marin Pro vs. Tropic Marin (regular) and i think it has lower dkh. i pretty much lost my plum crazy, but i fragged two tips to try to save it. the other corals are fighting to overcome hair algae growing all around and on dead parts of the corals
worse, my joe seems to have burnt tips (low dkh?)so what am i doing about all this? well i upped the w/c routine and have done 2 of my normal weekly w/cs in the last 2 days. will try to do 2 a wk vs 1 a wk for a little while. got a few more snails, and took out the sand to get everything clean before i add it back. i also added a few extra lbs of LR. i took out the GFO that i hadnt changed since adding it :/
i think it'll be back on track before long, just hope i can save the corals.
OH! and here's the craziest part. the red planet has all of a sudden gotten MUCH darker. so clearly it was a lack of nutrient issue that the combo of AAs and more feedings seems to have helped. it had faded to almost white (see earlier pages) and i wasnt sure if it was the lights or the water. now it's getting that deep flesh color it had when i first got it, and hints of the nice red under the LEDs. so, if i can save it that'll be cool.
never dull
jonnybravo22
New member
some skimmer pics of the SRO 1000sss
jonnybravo22
New member
and the baby clowns!
