Kasey's Kube
- Thread starter kaserpick
- Start date
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
...and now I'm battling dinoflagellates! 
Wish me luck; I hear this can be a bad problem in lower nutrient tanks.
Here's my plan of action:
1. Stop bacteria dosing
2. Skim harder
3. Feed heavier to slowly raise Nitrates
4. Siphon Dino's daily through filter sock
I'll keep you posted!
On a positive note, all corals have adapted well to the environment! Even the Hawkin's is happy. It did have a little tissue necrosis, but that stopped. It's extending polyps and starting to color up! I'm very happy with this. 
The dino's encourage me, despite their annoyance; it suggests that my N and P are both at lower levels. The SPS seem to reflect this as well.
Current Big 3 Parameters:
KH: 8.5 dKH
Ca+: 475 ppm
Mg: 1420 ppm
Here we go!
Wish me luck; I hear this can be a bad problem in lower nutrient tanks.Here's my plan of action:
1. Stop bacteria dosing
2. Skim harder
3. Feed heavier to slowly raise Nitrates
4. Siphon Dino's daily through filter sock
I'll keep you posted!
On a positive note, all corals have adapted well to the environment! Even the Hawkin's is happy.
It did have a little tissue necrosis, but that stopped. It's extending polyps and starting to color up! I'm very happy with this. The dino's encourage me, despite their annoyance; it suggests that my N and P are both at lower levels. The SPS seem to reflect this as well.Current Big 3 Parameters:
KH: 8.5 dKH
Ca+: 475 ppm
Mg: 1420 ppm
Here we go!
Last edited:
Fsurocks99
New member
Sounds and looks like you're on your way to another awesome tank man. Keep it up!
Dinos are frustrating as hell. Don't give up on them though. I went through peroxide dosing, which worked for about 2 weeks, several bouts of lights out/blackouts with trashbags and eventually kalk dosing. I think it was a combo of the kalk and blackouts that finally clearred my tank. I quit dosing kalk after the dinos were long gone and now the tank is healthy.
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
Thanks Jack! I hope so; I've been waiting for a good tank to come along ever since my old 65g.
Thanks for the encouragement!
Yeah, right now I feel like the corals are finally adjusting well with good color, so I'm very hesitant to black out the tank. I've been siphoning daily, and I started dosing peroxide yesterday. So far, it seems to be working well! Future plans include keeping a filter sock on the drain, cranking the flow up and basting the rocks and sand, daily (just waiting for epoxy for the corals and filter sock for the drains to arrive.). Once I set my ATO up, I'll be running kalkwasser solution through it. I've always had great success with kalkwasser. Hopefully, all of this will work. I have high expectations for this tank. 
They seem to be getting better; I'm gravel vacuuming and using filter socks for the drains.
SaltwaterAdict
New member
What a cool looking setup! Simple yet so intriguing. Nice job!
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
Thank you! That's the idea I'm trying to convey, which makes that a very encouraging compliment. :thumbsup:
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
Here's a better pic with the new placement; I'm still not done with the acan lords. One will eventually be on the base of the 'trunk'. The other will most like be under and to the right of the trumpets. These pics also show better views of the SPS frags.
The Hawkin's is still struggling, and the Garf Bonsai is still a little brown. It is now starting to show purple throughout. :thumbsup:
The Hawkin's is still struggling, and the Garf Bonsai is still a little brown. It is now starting to show purple throughout. :thumbsup:
Here's a better pic with the new placement; I'm still not done with the acan lords. One will eventually be on the base of the 'trunk'. The other will most like be under and to the right of the trumpets. These pics also show better views of the SPS frags.
Looks really good.
Have you thought about putting a single frag on the right side and it growing in a different direction to help hide the rockwork?
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
That's not a bad idea, Mike. My original thoughts were this: Let the corals grow for at least 9 months. By this time, I'm hoping to understand how things will look at the 1.5 year mark. Based on this information, I'll cut some corals to 'fill-in' the empty spaces, while still leaving room to grow. We'll see. Thanks for the input!
My original thoughts were this: Let the corals grow for at least 9 months. By this time, I'm hoping to understand how things will look at the 1.5 year mark. Based on this information, I'll cut some corals to 'fill-in' the empty spaces, while still leaving room to grow. We'll see. Thanks for the input!
That's not a bad idea, Mike.
Thanks. I wondered if you were thinking that since you have been focusing on the "end point" instead of the now.
Not sure what I would put there but I think it would be cool if there was an over hang or ledge and the chromis would hang out under it from time to time.
Yeah I know, one of those, man that looks great but how about ......
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
Exactly! That has always been my vice in this hobby. The one coral that I really wish I could get is a nice Efflo. But, I know the corals I have are pest free; I just don't want to compromise my current livestock in order to make things 'better'. I don't have a QT, and I don't plan on starting one. Hopefully, I have enough diverse growth patterns to make this one great, down the road.
Well then just stick with what is in there since this goes against the kid in the candy store way of stocking.
You could always fill in the spots with frags from the original ones. Kind of second generation theme.
I still would like to see a large tank like 300 gallons with a dozen species in multiple locations throughout the tank.
It would force the reefer to be very careful in selection and make him or her focus on color and form.
I think that is one reason why so many European tanks look the way they do.
Quality vs. quantity.
Again I think you have done a tremendous job and it looks like all the hard work, thought, and patience will reward you with a beautiful system for years to come.
You could always fill in the spots with frags from the original ones. Kind of second generation theme.
I still would like to see a large tank like 300 gallons with a dozen species in multiple locations throughout the tank.
It would force the reefer to be very careful in selection and make him or her focus on color and form.
I think that is one reason why so many European tanks look the way they do.
Quality vs. quantity.
Again I think you have done a tremendous job and it looks like all the hard work, thought, and patience will reward you with a beautiful system for years to come.
