Leonardo's Lagoon

[Tritonian]

I would think that there is a need for a diversity of bacteria and that there would be competition, after all everything in an eco-system is in some kind of battle for survival. but I'm no expert on the bacteria debate.

Leo, I'm always reluctant to say where I'm from because sometimes there is a stigma attached to where a person is from. But what the hell....I'm from Cape Town South Africa. We have a huge thriving forward thinking reef keeping community.

I added some old Seachem oolitic to my setup, but there was definitely not enough, it needs to compact against all sides evenly. the areas that are denser are pretty solid and don't move at all. I'm buying some Caribsea Reef Grade myself. Just waiting on a retailer.

I need to read up on mixing up cement and aragonite for coating my reef trays. I've never tried this before.

Great shots of your corals happy corals

 

[Leonardo_]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14964300#post14964300 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pookstreet
Leonardo, beautiful and healthy corals. I am always in awe of your simple and elegant design for everything.

Thanks Kenny! Less is more in my opinion!

Leonardo

 

[Leonardo_]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14965570#post14965570 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Denadai
Just awesome

I don´t have words to describe how beautiful your tank is

Best Regards

Thank you Denadai I agree, I'm happy with the how the corals are growing and their color right now, but the overall look and aquascape can use much improvement. That will be my project for next month

Leonardo

 

[Leonardo_]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14965917#post14965917 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ed Reef
Great update Leo


Just something to think about....with your stand height, maybe you can leave your canopy top open on the top. This way you have better ventilation as the top will be hidden anyway.....!!



Love the corals picture you posted. Only hope one day my tank corals will look like your one day :eek2:


I think you will like having some sand in your set-up as IMO it will look more natural, especially in our shallow reef type tank as most of the time we look over the top. The pictures you posted on the corals set-up is exactly what I envision mine one day to be :eek1: and I can't wait to see you rescape your beautiful pieces !!

:rollface:

Your right Ed, leaving the top open will allow much more airflow (and cooling) and you won't even notice the open top, because it is too high.
The only downside is the collection of dust on the reflectors. On the other hand, saltspray and dust always find their way everywhere, and cleaning is much simpler with an open top!

I'm sure your corals will be beautiful. Using a bacteria driven system (Zeo), strong light and flow, you have all the components for the best colors

I agree that in this shallow reefs, with much surface, sand is a must to make it look natural and appealing. Otherwise you can use many rocks that cover most of the bottom, but then you will loose height. That is something we can't afford in this shallow tanks.

Thanks for the compliment and for thinking with me my fellow shallow-reefer! :rollface:

Leonardo

 

[Leonardo_]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14966134#post14966134 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rodrigo_BG
Very nice tank, congrats!

couple weeks ago I said in another forum that I would like to start dosing vodka with biodigest and one guy said that it will not work becouse vodka will act in a specific kind of bacteria that will compete against bio digest bacterias, and as far as vodkas bacs will reproduce so much faster than bios bacs, bio digest bacs will not survive so the produtc will not have any meaning. But looking to your corals I might say that there guy was wrong.

Thanks Rodrigo! I think most hobbyists don't have the equipment to do research and backup their statements.
My (not scientific) opinion is that in nature organisms (bacteria) always compete for food, space etc. Of course some bacteria benefit more from several carbondosages then others, I'm aware of that.
That's why Biodigest is dosed every two weeks to " reseed" the aquarium with several bacteria strands.
One thing I know for sure; the Biodigest bacteria have totally outcompeted the cyanobacteria in my tank Since the combination of Biodigest and carbon dosage they completely disappeared.

Leonardo

 

[Leonardo_]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14967385#post14967385 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tritonian
I would think that there is a need for a diversity of bacteria and that there would be competition, after all everything in an eco-system is in some kind of battle for survival. but I'm no expert on the bacteria debate.

Leo, I'm always reluctant to say where I'm from because sometimes there is a stigma attached to where a person is from. But what the hell....I'm from Cape Town South Africa. We have a huge thriving forward thinking reef keeping community.

I added some old Seachem oolitic to my setup, but there was definitely not enough, it needs to compact against all sides evenly. the areas that are denser are pretty solid and don't move at all. I'm buying some Caribsea Reef Grade myself. Just waiting on a retailer.

I need to read up on mixing up cement and aragonite for coating my reef trays. I've never tried this before.

Great shots of your corals happy corals

Tritonian, no stigma from my part, the situation is much too complex to do that.
I think you will be happy with the CaribSea reef-grade. Not too fine, very white sand. When it's coated in bacteria after a few days, it is heavy enough to stay down, even in high flow.
I'm looking forward to see how you construct the trays and what the final product is. Please make some pictures of every step so you can post them later on in your build thread!
Good luck with the project

Leonardo

 

[GSMguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14966134#post14966134 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rodrigo_BG
Very nice tank, congrats!

couple weeks ago I said in another forum that I would like to start dosing vodka with biodigest and one guy said that it will not work becouse vodka will act in a specific kind of bacteria that will compete against bio digest bacterias, and as far as vodkas bacs will reproduce so much faster than bios bacs, bio digest bacs will not survive so the produtc will not have any meaning. But looking to your corals I might say that there guy was wrong.

It's important to recognize that Leo uses more than one carbon source, this helps maintain bacterial diversity.

 

[Leonardo_]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14967943#post14967943 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GSMguy
It's important to recognize that Leo uses more than one carbon source, this helps maintain bacterial diversity.

That's right Nick, it is important to mention that again. For a full description of my dosing regimen click here.

Leonardo

 

[Rodrigo_BG]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14967573#post14967573 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Leonardo_
Thanks Rodrigo! I think most hobbyists don't have the equipment to do research and backup their statements.
My (not scientific) opinion is that in nature organisms (bacteria) always compete for food, space etc. Of course some bacteria benefit more from several carbondosages then others, I'm aware of that.
That's why Biodigest is dosed every two weeks to " reseed" the aquarium with several bacteria strands.
One thing I know for sure; the Biodigest bacteria have totally outcompeted the cyanobacteria in my tank Since the combination of Biodigest and carbon dosage they completely disappeared.

Leonardo

I agree with you. Good to know that you have great results against cyano mixing bio digest with vodka. I will start it right now. One question, you don't use bioptim right?

 

[Leonardo_]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14968545#post14968545 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rodrigo_BG
I agree with you. Good to know that you have great results against cyano mixing bio digest with vodka. I will start it right now. One question, you don't use bioptim right?

No, only the bacteria from Prodibio; Biodigest Good luck!

Leonardo

 

[Tritonian]

Leo, a question regarding carbon dosing.

I noticed you only dose small quantities of the various carbon per day. Such as the regular sugar, vinegar and vodka. Did you start at 1ml, or did you gradually get there over a week or so, and if so how have you determined the rate at which you will increase the carbon doses?

The reason I'm asking is as I followed the carbon dosing for vodka only from an article I found on Reef Keeping Magazine.com, and it seemed very quick, the rate at which it increased, which was double the amount every 4 days.

What are the risks involved if a person overdoses carbon sources?

I've layed off the carbon dosing for now. Until I figure it out properly. I too have a some what of a Pappone mixture ready for when I start carbon dosing. Probido, and Biodigest are available here also. It's something to experiment with ,but I'd like to get the homework done first.

Regarding my non existent thread...well, I guess the further I get the more I'll be able to post all at once.

oh, one more question. My lights are very close the my water surface at least 6-7cm from it. Do you think I should move them further away, I just figured that they're T5's and the closer the better. Whats your opinion?

 

[stunreefer]

New pics look fantastic as always Leo! :thumbsup:

I think the new location of your tank wil bring a whole 'nother aspect to this awesome system I also agree that sand will make everything look better and make your coral POP! FWIW, I used Tropic Eden Reef Flakes (3.5mm) in my new tank and LOVE IT! I know you already have the CaribSea, but I fifguired I'd mention it. It's incredibly clean, and stays put with tons of flow (much better than CaribSea IME).

Regardless I think the new plans sound great and your coral is already looking amazing in the new tank!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14966134#post14966134 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rodrigo_BG
couple weeks ago I said in another forum that I would like to start dosing vodka with biodigest and one guy said that it will not work becouse vodka will act in a specific kind of bacteria that will compete against bio digest bacterias, and as far as vodkas bacs will reproduce so much faster than bios bacs, bio digest bacs will not survive so the produtc will not have any meaning. But looking to your corals I might say that there guy was wrong.

Leo and Nick already touched on it, but the "one guy" you refer to was talking about creating a monostrain of bacteria... see the Reefkeeping article regarding Vodka (carbon) Dosing for more info: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/index.php

Generaly speaking it's not possible to create a monostrain even while soley dosing Vodka, but even more impossible in Leo's system based on the fact that he continuously adds beneficial bacterial strains (every couple weeks - BioDigest), and also that he utilizes several carbon sources (VSV - Vodka, Sugar, Vinegar).

If you plan on attempting any kind of bacterial driven system, make sure you fully understand what you're doing and how you're effecting everything. Leo does an amazing job (with all of his systems, present and past), but to say that the "other guy" was wrong just because you see pics of healthy coral is foolish... albeit right, you might sink yourself in the future based on that mindset

 

[GSMguy]

Austin the caribsea he has is the reef stuff that sunnyx and I use it is very similar to the tropic Eden flakes.

 

[Leonardo_]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14989094#post14989094 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tritonian
Leo, a question regarding carbon dosing.

I noticed you only dose small quantities of the various carbon per day. Such as the regular sugar, vinegar and vodka. Did you start at 1ml, or did you gradually get there over a week or so, and if so how have you determined the rate at which you will increase the carbon doses?

The reason I'm asking is as I followed the carbon dosing for vodka only from an article I found on Reef Keeping Magazine.com, and it seemed very quick, the rate at which it increased, which was double the amount every 4 days.

What are the risks involved if a person overdoses carbon sources?

I've layed off the carbon dosing for now. Until I figure it out properly. I too have a some what of a Pappone mixture ready for when I start carbon dosing. Probido, and Biodigest are available here also. It's something to experiment with ,but I'd like to get the homework done first.

Regarding my non existent thread...well, I guess the further I get the more I'll be able to post all at once.

oh, one more question. My lights are very close the my water surface at least 6-7cm from it. Do you think I should move them further away, I just figured that they're T5's and the closer the better. Whats your opinion?

Tritonian, you're right. I only dose small amounts of the different carbon sources. I started with one ml of vodka and 0,5 ml of vinegar/sugar mix.
I increased this slowly, by doubling it every week. I determined the rate by looking closely to my corals and aquarium. If you notice a rapid change, most of the times it isn't positive
I looked at water clarity, pH, color of coral tissue etc. If you know what you're doing by understanding the chemistry and processes behind the dosing, closely monitoring your tank and make changes slowly, it isn't very difficult and/or dangerous.

Overdosing can cause bacterial bloom; low oxygen, low pH and low redox... Not a good thing.

The article on reefkeeping.com is a very good article and contains a lot of information. If you feel that you want to know more about the process behind carbon dosing I should investigate more, you can never do that too much
Also, if you feel safer by increasing the dosages slower, you can go that route.
I wouldn't start with dosing pappone and Carbon together when you don't have a lot of experience with them, the outcome can be unpredictable maybe I dosed pappone in my previous tank for a long time, so I combined it all at once.

On my previous frag-tank I also kept the T5's about 8 cm above the surface. Sounds good to me!

Again, looking forward to your build thread.

Leonardo

 

[Leonardo_]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14990231#post14990231 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stunreefer
New pics look fantastic as always Leo! :thumbsup:

I think the new location of your tank wil bring a whole 'nother aspect to this awesome system I also agree that sand will make everything look better and make your coral POP! FWIW, I used Tropic Eden Reef Flakes (3.5mm) in my new tank and LOVE IT! I know you already have the CaribSea, but I fifguired I'd mention it. It's incredibly clean, and stays put with tons of flow (much better than CaribSea IME).

Regardless I think the new plans sound great and your coral is already looking amazing in the new tank!

Leo and Nick already touched on it, but the "one guy" you refer to was talking about creating a monostrain of bacteria... see the Reefkeeping article regarding Vodka (carbon) Dosing for more info: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/index.php

Generaly speaking it's not possible to create a monostrain even while soley dosing Vodka, but even more impossible in Leo's system based on the fact that he continuously adds beneficial bacterial strains (every couple weeks - BioDigest), and also that he utilizes several carbon sources (VSV - Vodka, Sugar, Vinegar).

If you plan on attempting any kind of bacterial driven system, make sure you fully understand what you're doing and how you're effecting everything. Leo does an amazing job (with all of his systems, present and past), but to say that the "other guy" was wrong just because you see pics of healthy coral is foolish... albeit right, you might sink yourself in the future based on that mindset

Thanks Austin! I also think the new location of the tank will give many more possibilities and bring out the whole concept a lot more.
I'll check the availability of Tropic Eden reefflakes here in Europe, otherwise I'll stick with CaribSea Reef-Grade. Understanding from your description, the Caribsea it a bit finer. Thanks for the suggestion!

Thank you for your explanation about the carbon dosing causing monostrains... I've got nothing more to add

Leonardo

 

[Leonardo_]

Water Parameter and Carbon Update

Water Parameter and Carbon Update

Yesterday evening I did a few tests for water parameters... I don't do them often, except for Alkalinity once a week. I tested the following parameters using Tropic Marin testkits and Korallenzucht for K (potassium).

KH - 8
pH - 8.3 (confirmed by AM pH controller)
Ca - 480
Mg - 1500
NO3 - unmeasurable with testkit
PO4 - unmeasurable with testkit
K - (potassium) 390


Amount of Carbon dosing:

1,5 ml Vinegar a day
4 ml Vodka a day
0.5 grams of Table sugar a day
2 grams Reef-Actif twice a week

Prodibio Biodigest Bacteria, 1 vial/2weeks


Leonardo

 

[stunreefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14990490#post14990490 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GSMguy
Austin the caribsea he has is the reef stuff that sunnyx and I use it is very similar to the tropic Eden flakes.

Ah-hah... very good, great stuff! I saw Sunny's substrate and it is very similar... thanks Nick!

 

[Tritonian]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14990992#post14990992 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Leonardo_
Tritonian, you're right. I only dose small amounts of the different carbon sources. I started with one ml of vodka and 0,5 ml of vinegar/sugar mix.
I increased this slowly, by doubling it every week. I determined the rate by looking closely to my corals and aquarium. If you notice a rapid change, most of the times it isn't positive
I looked at water clarity, pH, color of coral tissue etc. If you know what you're doing by understanding the chemistry and processes behind the dosing, closely monitoring your tank and make changes slowly, it isn't very difficult and/or dangerous.

Overdosing can cause bacterial bloom; low oxygen, low pH and low redox... Not a good thing.

The article on reefkeeping.com is a very good article and contains a lot of information. If you feel that you want to know more about the process behind carbon dosing I should investigate more, you can never do that too much
Also, if you feel safer by increasing the dosages slower, you can go that route.
I wouldn't start with dosing pappone and Carbon together when you don't have a lot of experience with them, the outcome can be unpredictable maybe I dosed pappone in my previous tank for a long time, so I combined it all at once.

On my previous frag-tank I also kept the T5's about 8 cm above the surface. Sounds good to me!

Again, looking forward to your build thread.

Leonardo

Thanks Leo,

Yeh, research is key with just about anything. I think learning from other reefers experiences helps ease off some doubt and stress when trying new things. By new things I mean just trying to improve the environment our animals live in.

Thanks for the info

Nicolas

 

[Leonardo_]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14995267#post14995267 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tritonian
Thanks Leo,

Yeh, research is key with just about anything. I think learning from other reefers experiences helps ease off some doubt and stress when trying new things. By new things I mean just trying to improve the environment our animals live in.

Thanks for the info

Nicolas

You're welcome Nicolas!

Leonardo

 

[stony_corals]

Leonardo,

Where are your Tunzes placed? Do you like the wavebox with the streams? Which settings do you have the streams on? Did I read that correct? You are gluing the maricultured pieces to the bottom? What kind of glue are you using?

Thanks,

Matt