Just wanted to show some macro shots
- Thread starter Borchers
- Start date
colortrilogy
New member
Sweet pics.
A. Grandis
Active member
Why did the tank crash?
I keep finding people saying their tanks crash...
I would like to know how that happens and what exactly does that means to you, please.
Grandis.
Last edited:
Borchers
Reefer Who needs Help!!!
Well it started with one issue then another because of the first then a domino effect......here is my story
1) found out that my Refractometer was off by .008 making my levels 1.017. I had seen a decline in SPS Health and started see STN from the bottoms of huge colonies. I slowly started bringing up my salinity by about .001 a day until it was at 1.026. Also found out my salt Oceanic mixed at 1.020
2) With my salinity being off my other numbers were way off. My Alk had dropped as well. 7.20 from 10.5-11.00. So after getting that under control so I thought the Alk spikes started happening very fast. I used water changes, buffer and patience. In the end my system went down hill very fast. I lost every piece of SPS I had with the exception of a few frags I made.
3) The die off was unbearable. 3 to 4 colonies a day went. It made the rest of the tank so unhealthy, Carbon was changed every few days and water changes every week. So with Alk swings from 7.5 to 12.0 over a few weeks it took its toll. The Z&P were stressed and closing up fast. The began to shrivel up. I made the decision to downgrade to a more manageable system. This way my wife can help out when I'm gone.
This for me was not the end. I realized my mistakes and learned from them. I calibrate often, now use a combo of Reef Crystals and Oceanic. I test 2 times a week, dose Alk and Cal using 2 part on BRS pumps. I have a reliable controller that keeps me up to date at a glance and I look at every coral I see and make a mental note of how each looks. This way when something is off I will know.
All of this could have been avoided by checking the equipment I use to test and making sure it was on point. I can not stress enough about it.....check your testing equipment as well as your tank.
My Zoas and Palys are doing amazing now that we have moved to our new home with the new tank. Photos will be coming.
1) found out that my Refractometer was off by .008 making my levels 1.017. I had seen a decline in SPS Health and started see STN from the bottoms of huge colonies. I slowly started bringing up my salinity by about .001 a day until it was at 1.026. Also found out my salt Oceanic mixed at 1.020
2) With my salinity being off my other numbers were way off. My Alk had dropped as well. 7.20 from 10.5-11.00. So after getting that under control so I thought the Alk spikes started happening very fast. I used water changes, buffer and patience. In the end my system went down hill very fast. I lost every piece of SPS I had with the exception of a few frags I made.
3) The die off was unbearable. 3 to 4 colonies a day went. It made the rest of the tank so unhealthy, Carbon was changed every few days and water changes every week. So with Alk swings from 7.5 to 12.0 over a few weeks it took its toll. The Z&P were stressed and closing up fast. The began to shrivel up. I made the decision to downgrade to a more manageable system. This way my wife can help out when I'm gone.
This for me was not the end. I realized my mistakes and learned from them. I calibrate often, now use a combo of Reef Crystals and Oceanic. I test 2 times a week, dose Alk and Cal using 2 part on BRS pumps. I have a reliable controller that keeps me up to date at a glance and I look at every coral I see and make a mental note of how each looks. This way when something is off I will know.
All of this could have been avoided by checking the equipment I use to test and making sure it was on point. I can not stress enough about it.....check your testing equipment as well as your tank.
My Zoas and Palys are doing amazing now that we have moved to our new home with the new tank. Photos will be coming.
A. Grandis
Active member
Thanks Borchers!
I'm sorry about the trouble and crash!!
It is good to share this type of info here, so people realize how fast things can go downhill!!!
Stability is so very important in closed systems and that is one of the keys to keep healthy reef tanks, including zoas!!
I use T5s for my zoas and I do think it's one of the best options. I also like metal halides very much!
I'm not sold into LEDs yet. Not a bit. But other people are crazy for them...
Good luck with the system, and yes, please post your pictures when you're ready!
Grandis.
I'm sorry about the trouble and crash!!
It is good to share this type of info here, so people realize how fast things can go downhill!!!
Stability is so very important in closed systems and that is one of the keys to keep healthy reef tanks, including zoas!!
I use T5s for my zoas and I do think it's one of the best options. I also like metal halides very much!
I'm not sold into LEDs yet. Not a bit. But other people are crazy for them...
Good luck with the system, and yes, please post your pictures when you're ready!
Grandis.
frostyjay1
New member
great looking photos. I recalibrate my refractometer once a month. maybe I should do it more often.
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