Learning/rebuilding from my epic fail
- Thread starter reefmutt
- Start date
DiscusHeckel
Acropora Gardener
Matt and Alex,
I am no longer keen on growing algae in a refugium. I stopped using it more than two years ago. My main reasons are highlighted by Julian Sprung in the following video. In the video, Julian advocates the use of algae while drawing viewers' attention to some theories about their harmful effects on reef tanks. Enjoy.
https://youtu.be/JjBYtHHnsXE
reefmutt
Active member
Thanks, Kevin. When one only takes photos of the healthy stuff, everything looks healthy!
most are, actually and growth is picking up. Thanks Dom!Gorgeous Matt
Bulent, thanks for that link. That was a very interesting video. Although, it didn't turn me off of using cheato..
It turned me off of untouched dsbs below cheato and perhaps from ever using a massive amount of macro algea. Like Julian said, it's not only macro algea that is giving off toxins, everything in a reef is at war for space and therefor, there is a constant supply of 'bad stuff' being emitted by all organisms. This is a good argument for carbon use...
I would say the best way to use macro algea, if one is so inclined, would be to use a modest amount, keep it well maintained and trimmed, and ideally have it directly up stream from a protein skimmer and carbon..
Having said that, I will stay macro algea free for the forseeable future and see how my current regiment deals with nutrients...
Thanks again for that food for though, Bulent!
Looking forward to update pcs of your tank with its new additions.
Alex Costa
Member
I am using macro algae (chaetos) for the first time. In my previous tanks I used the combination of Carbon dosing+GFO to keep the Nitrates and Phosphates (and cianos) in check.
The video is interesting but I've seen a lot of tanks running all kind of macro algae and algae scrubber filters with good results so, I'll keep them for now.
What I'll possibly do for now on is to use GAC more often.
The video is interesting but I've seen a lot of tanks running all kind of macro algae and algae scrubber filters with good results so, I'll keep them for now.
What I'll possibly do for now on is to use GAC more often.
nemodan
New member
Hi all
I am not posting too much lately, but I visit the threads. I started to read all the postings about Macro Algae and slightly disagree when I read Macro are not helping at all.
As you know, I have run my system with Macro Algae for the last 4 years. It has always been algae and biological filtration. Yes.... I crashed it 2 times. But it was my fault. I am sure you have followed my thread.
This is a today's picture of my tank.
Filtration : Macro Algae and Siphorax / Matrix. And my 25% weekly WC.
I only add 4 drops of AF bacteria and NP-pro and of course food for the fish.
I know, it does not have fancy Acros, but looks pretty nice. But far away from Matt's tank.
Sorry Matt for posting the picture here.
Daniel
Ps: I think it depends on what we want to achieve and what we can really achieve with the setup we have as well as our working and family life. Depending on that it could be that for many Macro just dont work. Too much Macro will be needed to do what GFO does. If ever GFO levels are achieved with Macro.
Cheers !!
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biggles
Premium Member
It looks a whole lot better than pretty nice Daniel, it's a beautiful grown in mixed reef you should be very proud of mate
Do you run carbon with all those red shrooms ? (dry wretched whilst typing that word)
Always love looking at your pics Matt, put mine to shame lol. I like taking night shots sometimes because you find stuff or problems sometimes you wouldn't see normally.
How are things going with those sick acros, i hope that tissue loss has stopped for you buddy. Any signs the nutrients are dropping at all ?
Do you run carbon with all those red shrooms ? (dry wretched whilst typing that word)
Always love looking at your pics Matt, put mine to shame lol. I like taking night shots sometimes because you find stuff or problems sometimes you wouldn't see normally.
How are things going with those sick acros, i hope that tissue loss has stopped for you buddy. Any signs the nutrients are dropping at all ?
reefmutt
Active member
Hi all
I am not posting too much lately, but I visit the threads. I started to read all the postings about Macro Algae and slightly disagree when I read Macro are not helping at all.
As you know, I have run my system with Macro Algae for the last 4 years. It has always been algae and biological filtration. Yes.... I crashed it 2 times. But it was my fault. I am sure you have followed my thread.
This is a today's picture of my tank.
Filtration : Macro Algae and Siphorax / Matrix. And my 25% weekly WC.
I only add 4 drops of AF bacteria and NP-pro and of course food for the fish.
I know, it does not have fancy Acros, but looks pretty nice. But far away from Matt's tank.
Sorry Matt for posting the picture here.
Daniel
Ps: I think it depends on what we want to achieve and what we can really achieve with the setup we have as well as our working and family life. Depending on that it could be that for many Macro just dont work. Too much Macro will be needed to do what GFO does. If ever GFO levels are achieved with Macro.
Cheers !!
I would never say that an algea fuge is innefective at controlling or at least aiding in nutrient reduction.
There is no question that it works.. Julien was just bringing up some of the downsides but if managed properly, those downsides can be very well mitigated, I think.
The only reason I stopped using cheato is because it stopped growing in my system.. since that time I have been unable to naturally bring down my n and p.
If my Prodibio experiment doesn't help, I will go back to it.
Dan, your system was one of the systems that really motivated me to use natural methods like sand and cheato.
Your system has a really good balance right now.
I've removed the sand for siporax and matrix but so far, it hasn't gotten my system to where it was before..
I may go back to cheato sometime in the fall if I have no luck with bacteria..
reefmutt
Active member
Hey Tim, thanks! That horrida doesn't not look that good anymore, unfortunately..I am liking the colors Matt. That horrida is a nice one too
It looks a whole lot better than pretty nice Daniel, it's a beautiful grown in mixed reef you should be very proud of mate
Do you run carbon with all those red shrooms ? (dry wretched whilst typing that word)
Always love looking at your pics Matt, put mine to shame lol. I like taking night shots sometimes because you find stuff or problems sometimes you wouldn't see normally.
How are things going with those sick acros, i hope that tissue loss has stopped for you buddy. Any signs the nutrients are dropping at all ?
Hey Andrew, thanks! I don't take shots that often during lights out but I do shine a light in there fairly often. It's always interesting to see what it looks like.
Photos aside, I wish the actual corals were just close to par with yours!
I have not found any pests on the affected acros even after dipping.. I'm hoping the Prodibio will help.. generally, it has certainly given me a jump in growth and a bit of a bump in colour.. I'll see how the stubborn ones come along.
Nutrients have not started dropping! Dammit.. going to give it more time..
Yesterday I took a bunch of shots and I also cut a piece of OP off of the second colony I have growing (and looking waaay better than my dt colony) in my sump..
I had to post them. I think they are pretty awesome..
-- these shots are under blue + bulbs only-- I wish it looked so damn yummy under full lighting.. I'd definitely looks better than my bigger colony..
Here are a few shots because .. well I could just post one shot!
Got a couple other shots from blue light shooting I'll post later..
reefmutt
Active member
Thanks Mark!
Yes, I have been watching your LC experiments closely!
Ed got me scared again though..
I think if/when I were to use it, it would be after I have done whatever else I can do to pull p as low as possible..
Then I'd use LC just to tweak the last few points of reduction. That way as little product is used as possible..
Mark, your tank is SO READY for a few new pieces!!
Looks at your tank! It is calling out.. shouting at you to add new pieces!!! Wait maybe that's me shouting.. anyways.. yes, add some more!!
Couple more shots..
Sorry.. every now and again I have to add a shot of my sparse lps collection..
Got a few fish pics as well.. later..
nemodan
New member
Hi Matt
As you remember I was a fan of adding new corals until my last crash. I always thought that "could be" the number of too many different coral that needed different conditions was part of that crash. I do not have way of certify that though.
But, since that moment I decided not to add anything to the tank. It will have to stabilize with what is inside and those corals adapt or die to whatever condition my tank achieve.
So far I am doing good with that politic and I was tempted many times in this last year to add corals.
The funny end of this is that, I do not have space at all to add anything now. I have a small, very pretty acro colony that grew in the plug rack on my fuge. It was just a half inch frag survival. I was always thinking...."next weekend I move you to the DT"..... But I never did. And now, I do not gave space and I am afraid of moving it. As I will change some of the conditions that make it grew and be happy.... LOL.
Cheers
Daniel
As you remember I was a fan of adding new corals until my last crash. I always thought that "could be" the number of too many different coral that needed different conditions was part of that crash. I do not have way of certify that though.
But, since that moment I decided not to add anything to the tank. It will have to stabilize with what is inside and those corals adapt or die to whatever condition my tank achieve.
So far I am doing good with that politic and I was tempted many times in this last year to add corals.
The funny end of this is that, I do not have space at all to add anything now. I have a small, very pretty acro colony that grew in the plug rack on my fuge. It was just a half inch frag survival. I was always thinking...."next weekend I move you to the DT"..... But I never did. And now, I do not gave space and I am afraid of moving it. As I will change some of the conditions that make it grew and be happy.... LOL.
Cheers
Daniel
reefmutt
Active member
Hey Andreas, thanks!
Thanks, Dan! I'll definitely check them out.
Here's a link to Dan's latest vids:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=25063595#post25063595
Ok! A couple fish pics.. I rarely take fish pics.. gave it a try. They are ok, I guess..
Besides my 5 evansi anthias, I have a male and female pair of these. I do not remember what type of anthias they are. They are fun to watch.. when they are well fed the male makes big vertical u shaped dive bomb loops around the female. Trying to turn her on!
Over the past 3 years, my population of blue streak cardinals has dwindled to 5. I want to get another group and increase the school to around 11. They are beautiful schooling fish. Except when they breed, then they go off into pairs and hide in the rocks for a few days.
Leapard wrasse.. practically in the same position as the cardinal was.. funny coincidence.
One of my Belus females. I've had them for over a year and neither has begun to change to a male.
There is more purple in this shot than in reality. The camera really pulled out the purple.. same problem in the face of the blue streak cardinal as well.
My big sole pyramid butterfly. Biggest fish in the tank.
watchguy123
New member
The fish pictures are great and I find them really hard to get but its the background to those fish that is awesome. Love a tankful of colorful acros.
reefmutt
Active member
Thanks Dan.
Thanks, Mark. It's true. You can't beat a wall of acro as a backdrop.
