Learning/rebuilding from my epic fail

[bif24701]

I did until I nuked the tank with my alk spike, in late October I think. Then, I removed the mh and led for 4 tubes of t5. But I've en been recently hearing whispers in my head that my old lighting was doing a better job. The whispers are becoming shouts...
So, rather than go to the trouble of rewriting my signature, I think I'll just go and change my lighting back...
I miss the MH shimmer and the supplemental, programmable led.
I just can't the mh out of my mind.. they are like sugar, once you've had some, you can't stop wanting it!

I can understand that, MH is sweet. That is why I went with Kessil AP700s,and now that I have started to add T5s ATI Blue+ its a system that I think is hard to beat for both power and aesthetics. I plan to add another Hamilton Aruba Sun for a total of 4 60" T5s. I think I have finally found the sweet spot with my system as far as NO3/lighting intensity goes. I will be following along with you with interest in the relationship of NO3/intensity. Seems to me that my system and (with information from an article by Mike Palletta) those of the "masters" there is a common theme there; Lots of food (NO3), lots of light (intensity/duration). Sanjay's photo period includes a 9 hour peak @100%, and if you know his tank he has more Radions over it than whats really suggested for SPS. Just some of my thought typed out here, sorry.

what are your thoughts on that?

 

[reefmutt]

I think there isn't a better led for mimicking the look of mh than the kessil. Spectrum maybe another story but with your supplemental t5, it's a good combo.
Yeah, it seems clear that for sps you really have to break the bank on led fixtures to really fill in all the shadows. Or maybe get those massive panels of led that cover the entire surface of the tank.
I would also tend to agree that sps tanks with higher nutrients have a greater tolorence for more intense lighting... but not sure if it's a necessity..

 

[drawman]

Did you ever end up checking your pumps for rust?

I know the feeling I've had a few acros up and rtn on me in my smaller tank and boy is it frustrating. Especially when some of the others look wonderful. It seems like you always have to play detective and can never sleep too soundly. I guess you can never get too attached some acros you like better than they like you and vice versa ha.

That echinata does look gorgeous. Might be smart to have a couple of insurance frags as time goes on with a prized piece like that

Also I'm curious why you stopped -NP Pro?

 

[reefmutt]

Hey Tim, no, haven't checked yet. I probably should have this afternoon as I had a window of opportunity but instead, I put my mh back on! soooo happy! Such a nice look. I love my mh.
But I do have to check that because as many corals that are growing well, there are others looking crap.
The poly filter I added has been inconclusive after 36 hours.. I'm leaving it for now.
I think the reason I love blue and white corals so much is because I have so little long term success with them.. any of them.. I should spread it around!
I am seeing less and less micro algea growing in the tank.. I still have plenty of bubble and bryopsis but for whatever reason not a lot of micro algea.
Some corals are extending mesenterial filaments at feeding and some, as I've said don't look great. I just decided to stop using gfo and np pro because I though maybe the excessive amounts of gfo may be causing an issue and because I had a few corals peel on me I thought maybe I should stop feeding the bacteria as well..
Some indicators are saying low nutrients even though my tests are saying high. Just odd..
I was only dosing 5 drops of np pro a day which is half the recommended dose for my system and from what I hear, it usually needs to be over dosed a bit to have desired results. I figured at sush a low dose it probably wasn't doing a lot so didn't matter much if I stopped..
Basically I'm just letting the system go where it's going to go at the moment. I did tests just before I stopped dosing and in a few days I will test again to see where nutrients have gone. In the mean time, I must check pumps and magnets for issues.
Once I've done all this and things seem reasonably stable.. I will start using JBNY's ZIM (Zinc, iodine, manganese) dosage- or actually, I'll use his ratios for the elements but at a lower dose to start. See what comes of that..

 

[drawman]

Hey Tim, no, haven't checked yet. I probably should have this afternoon as I had a window of opportunity but instead, I put my mh back on! soooo happy! Such a nice look. I love my mh.
But I do have to check that because as many corals that are growing well, there are others looking crap.
The poly filter I added has been inconclusive after 36 hours.. I'm leaving it for now.
I think the reason I love blue and white corals so much is because I have so little long term success with them.. any of them.. I should spread it around!
I am seeing less and less micro algea growing in the tank.. I still have plenty of bubble and bryopsis but for whatever reason not a lot of micro algea.
Some corals are extending mesenterial filaments at feeding and some, as I've said don't look great. I just decided to stop using gfo and np pro because I though maybe the excessive amounts of gfo may be causing an issue and because I had a few corals peel on me I thought maybe I should stop feeding the bacteria as well..
Some indicators are saying low nutrients even though my tests are saying high. Just odd..
I was only dosing 5 drops of np pro a day which is half the recommended dose for my system and from what I hear, it usually needs to be over dosed a bit to have desired results. I figured at sush a low dose it probably wasn't doing a lot so didn't matter much if I stopped..
Basically I'm just letting the system go where it's going to go at the moment. I did tests just before I stopped dosing and in a few days I will test again to see where nutrients have gone. In the mean time, I must check pumps and magnets for issues.
Once I've done all this and things seem reasonably stable.. I will start using JBNY's ZIM (Zinc, iodine, manganese) dosage- or actually, I'll use his ratios for the elements but at a lower dose to start. See what comes of that..

I like it sounds like a good plan. Hopefully the Siporax on its own will keep things stable going forward anyway. Now that you got the MH back on get some more pics when things settle in!

 

[biggles]

Hey Matt, this shot is awesome - talk about contrast lol. :thumbsup:

I hope you get things back in order soon mate

 

[cFloor]

Your corals are looking very impressive Matt! Great to see

 

[reefmutt]

I like it sounds like a good plan. Hopefully the Siporax on its own will keep things stable going forward anyway. Now that you got the MH back on get some more pics when things settle in!

Yes, hopefully the siporax will kick in soon. If/when it does, I may start dosing some lanthanum chloride for p is necessary..
Oh, I'm sure I'll get some pics up again soon!

Hey Matt, this shot is awesome - talk about contrast lol. :thumbsup:
And

I hope you get things back in order soon mate

Thanks, Andrew, I love that corner of my tank but it's so hard to get the camera and lense up there. The upper blue and green corals are growing nicely and are healthy. The red planet beside them hardly grows at all. I'm not happy with the bleaching in the lower blue/purple piece, although it has decent night time pe and some growth..

Your corals are looking very impressive Matt! Great to see

Thanks, Conor! I'm looking forward to some updates from your tank redo..

So does this look like iron or just accumulated detritus in my poly filter?

Not sure it's orange enough to be iron...
there is passive flow through the poly filter here. As the water level drops inside the area where the poly filter is, the water runs through the pad it a bit..
Still haven't checked my magnets and pumps. Ugh..
Never even got to my wc or filter sock change this weekend.. maybe tonight..

 

[markalot]

Just brown muck IMO, mine looks like that a day after adding it. Never registered a color.

 

[reefmutt]

Agreed...

 

[mhucasey]

I've had a strong reddish brown when I knew that there was iron in the water, but usually it's just brown. It's a good insurance policy in any case and I need to make sure I always have a spare one on hand. I'll stay tuned to see if there are any positive changes you can see.

 

[bgouges]

Got some pics.. Not great but.. I've never really had a serious infestation of valinia but it's been fairly bad.. hopefully it's just a phase.. good luck with yours!




I have not tried Vibrant. It was going to be my second algea assault after the fluconazole but since it never came, I am going out for the Vibrant this week.



Hey Paul, yeah, I've never worried about the spores either.. if you got bubble bubble algea, ya got spores!
I don't really have the time, nor patience for manually pulling bubbles.. I do have a few implements for doing so, but I'll only do it under extreme duress!
I'll try the Vibrant and see what happens..

Ok some random pics..
Fish eye:

Just realized you can see my viewing box floating in the serface.. oops.. very unprofessional!!
A little closer of centre..

Far upper left hand corner.. I can't really get a good shot up there.. need a wide angle lens to capture the corner.. too bad because it's a pretty little corner..

Mediocre shot of my blueberry wine..

These two continue to coexist and perform very nicely.. although the purple beast is slowly creeping up on the creamsicle.

My SSCs are growing like weeds but aren't particularly pretty..

Ice fire is also growing well but the thing that worries me about these smooth skins is that they look fine right up until the morning you look in the tank and it's a white skeleton..

Another often shot top down:

More to come as time permits!

That monti scroll sets the perfect backdrop! incredible pics

 

[reefmutt]

I've had a strong reddish brown when I knew that there was iron in the water, but usually it's just brown. It's a good insurance policy in any case and I need to make sure I always have a spare one on hand. I'll stay tuned to see if there are any positive changes you can see.

Doesn't look like it's pulling anything out in particular.. but you are right, it's always good to have a pad or two on hand.

That monti scroll sets the perfect backdrop! incredible pics

Thanks Brok!. It's about to get out of hand.. I'm not sure how I will knock it back.. I'll give it a bit more room.. then.. I don't know..

 

[Wrangy]

This thread always makes me moist! You're an inspiration to us all Matt lol

 

[Hentz]

This thread always makes me moist! You're an inspiration to us all Matt lol

Likewise! lmfao.

I was just looking at the FTS above... Couldn't tell if I was looking at Matt's tank or if a rainbow just threw up!!

:beer:

 

[Geeray]

This thread always makes me moist! You're an inspiration to us all Matt lol

Good call! Lol

 

[glaukos]

This thread always makes me moist! You're an inspiration to us all Matt lol

+1:beer:
Red aussie spoke like he is inside my mind:lmao::lmao:
Every time i see your pics matt buddy i get the exact same feelings:beer:
Thanks for sharing man

 

[nemodan]

Matt... what I can say that others haven't....the tank is SPEECHLESS.....FANTASTIC...

I always enjoy reading the RC threads of this forum.

Cheers
Daniel

 

[Brett120]

Amazing tank Reefmutt... what a collection of corals you have... one of the best!

 

[MrineLfRlz]

The corals look spectacular! Page after page of color its great! But i do have one little gripe. Where is the pics of the fish room/equipment we cant forget without those you or anyone else wouldnt have a chance to have these great corals survive let alone be as colorful and healthy as yours. Can you please give some love to the engine of this awesome piece of reef beauty and throw up some updated pics of the fish room and equipment?
Great job though!