I believe that is part of his Apex controller. It keeps track of Temp and PH real-time, but I think the other numbers he had to test manually then enter in the software. I don't have an Apex yet, but that's how I understand it from what I've read so far.
Lets Talk Stability - Are these numbers stable enough for SPS?
- Thread starter jimrawr
- Start date
I believe that is part of his Apex controller. It keeps track of Temp and PH real-time, but I think the other numbers he had to test manually then enter in the software. I don't have an Apex yet, but that's how I understand it from what I've read so far.
hurley009
New member
Thank you! *drool* [emoji7] [emoji7] [emoji7]
Your parameters are more stable than mine. I think it's the nutrients/trace elements in your tank that take time to balance out. My tank is doing very good even with much greater swing than yours. I feed ALOT... like 5 times a day. My ATS is growing like crazy. I harvest it once every 4 days or so.
I also dose prodibio bacteria so that helps keep nutrients down. It is so hard for any of us here to know for sure. Every tank is different. Plus we all use different nutrients/trace elements import and exporting methods.
The key is balance of nutrients and water quality/stability. U just have to test and observe your tank. Be a student of your own reef.
Hopefully, this helps a bit lol.
I also dose prodibio bacteria so that helps keep nutrients down. It is so hard for any of us here to know for sure. Every tank is different. Plus we all use different nutrients/trace elements import and exporting methods.
The key is balance of nutrients and water quality/stability. U just have to test and observe your tank. Be a student of your own reef.
Hopefully, this helps a bit lol.
Hockeynut120
New member
I don't think I've read do you run bio pellets? Not always but I have seen issues with them. Also I do agree you look stable enough I have what most would call high nutrient tank and run no pellets, carbon, or gfo. My niyrates are high at 25 and my tank is fine. Not everyone can be successful at the numbers I run but it works for me. I believe your coral might need more nutrients so feed more try using fresh clams ground up in a food processor use the whole clam and the liquid clams have lots of nutrition for fish and corals. If you find your nitrates ramping up to much don't lower food but do a bigger water change or get a better skimmer. Good luck
jimrawr
New member
I do dose Acro Power occasionally, although I hadn't in over a couple months from when I started this thread. I have since dosed it a couple times.
jimrawr
New member
Well my parameters have been pretty darn stable now for a month, and I still do not have happy corals. Pretty much everything looks like its being bothered by something. I am starting to think its either:
1. Flame angel picking things to death
2. Skimmer is keeping the tank too clean. Despite the low intensity of the bulbs(60% max right now), I still have a lot of corals that are pale and becoming translucent. That pretty much can only mean too much light, or not enough nutrients, no?
1. Flame angel picking things to death
2. Skimmer is keeping the tank too clean. Despite the low intensity of the bulbs(60% max right now), I still have a lot of corals that are pale and becoming translucent. That pretty much can only mean too much light, or not enough nutrients, no?
lynchmob3000
New member
Can we get a fts?
jimrawr
New member
Here is a FTS and a sump shot. I used to have macro in the sump but it wouldnt grow so it was removed. I have a HOG scrubber there that you can see that grows close to nothing. I've tried feeing more lately since I have no detectable PO4, and now im having some slight algae on the sand bed (greenish, doesnt look like diatoms or cyano). Also the picture its difficult to tell but I know the corals arent doing so hot..
Things like:
1. Acans deflated almost looking like there is too much flow on them when there is not, and also not growing at all
2. Green cap = gray with blue rim
3. Little bits of algae growing on corals which wouldnt happen with healthy corals
4. Even some rhodactis that I have aren't happy. They are closed, and in some cases even withering away..
5. SPS some are ok color wise but hardly any growth, other new pieces are dying.
Things like:
1. Acans deflated almost looking like there is too much flow on them when there is not, and also not growing at all
2. Green cap = gray with blue rim
3. Little bits of algae growing on corals which wouldnt happen with healthy corals
4. Even some rhodactis that I have aren't happy. They are closed, and in some cases even withering away..
5. SPS some are ok color wise but hardly any growth, other new pieces are dying.
jimrawr
New member
This piece was since moved to the sandbed and is still bleaching big time. I have it also under the powerhead which is a shaded area..
This plate coral is pretty much dead now, much worse than it looks like in this picture. Can't even keep a simple plate coral...? Somethings not right.
This plate coral is pretty much dead now, much worse than it looks like in this picture. Can't even keep a simple plate coral...? Somethings not right.
Scorpius
Stick Head
I feel your pain. I can't keep anything coral wise alive for very long. I can keep fish, snails, hermits, starfish, and coraline algae alive great....... I'm beginning to think my lights are on too long and I'm not light acclimating them slow enough or where I'm buying corals is no good, but I highly doubt this.
jimrawr
New member
Yeah it's not a fun thing, right? I've been in the Hobby since 2007, have read countless hours of RC and still struggle!
Scorpius
Stick Head
It's no fun watching something slowly waste away when you try your hardest to give it what it needs. I personally hate it when things die. :thumbdown
shih87
New member
Just a quick glance through. I think your coral has not yet reflect the stability of your water parameters. Perhaps you can tell us how much alkalinity and calcium consumption these days, especial any change when you start lowering alkalinity process.
For example... My tank parameters were very stable for the first 4 months, and then after I found my alkalinity reading (due to test kit expired) was wrong, then I start to lower my alkalinity from 11.5dKH to idea 7.8 dKH (I start the lower alkalinity process about the same time you start lower yours from 9.5....).... During this cycle, my alkalinity and calcium consumption were drop to 1/4 of original. I use GHL doser.
During this lowering alkalinity process, my coral has noticeable less PE than before, no growing signal, even some burn tips. It took another two weeks after I reach 7.8 to see my coral happen again, growing, show strong PE, and KH/CA consumption go higher again, etc...
I wish you will have great coral performance which mapping your water parameters soon.
For example... My tank parameters were very stable for the first 4 months, and then after I found my alkalinity reading (due to test kit expired) was wrong, then I start to lower my alkalinity from 11.5dKH to idea 7.8 dKH (I start the lower alkalinity process about the same time you start lower yours from 9.5....).... During this cycle, my alkalinity and calcium consumption were drop to 1/4 of original. I use GHL doser.
During this lowering alkalinity process, my coral has noticeable less PE than before, no growing signal, even some burn tips. It took another two weeks after I reach 7.8 to see my coral happen again, growing, show strong PE, and KH/CA consumption go higher again, etc...
I wish you will have great coral performance which mapping your water parameters soon.
jimrawr
New member
The thing is that some corals are progressively getting worse, so I *think* there is still some trouble with the tank or things would be stabalizing and then getting slowly better. I hope you are right though.
I have almost no PE at all, even shortly after lights out. I think this is due to the flame angel. The tank is currently consuming 11ml or ALK, and 22ml of CA on a daily basis.
Wiskey
New member
I don't post on here very often anymore, but I wanted to jump in on this thread.
What is going on in your tank looks very much like mine when I was running a super clean tank and had too much light years ago.
I am running a 75G tank now, that I just started up, I have 4x54W T5's about 6 inches off the water's surface, and even those seem to be a bit much for some of my LPS. I measure ~180 par at the sand bed. Fine for SPS, even a little low provided they have enough nutrients but the LPS need some time to get used to it.
My SPS for the most part are coloring up nicely, I'm not thrilled with the growth and may go to 6x54 eventually but I'm waiting to see how things settle in. One thing I have to do right now though is feed allot! The SPS get lighter if I don't. I'm currently feeding the equilivant of 4 cubes of Misys every day, along with a shake of pellet food, and a squirt of oyster eggs, and a squirt of some other coral food. I feed 4 times throughout the day, (one at night, for the coral food) and each feeding time the skimmer is shut down for 45 min after. Apex turns it back on so I don't forget.
Here is how my green slimer is responding from the feeding:
When I got it:
IMG_4950 by Wiskey2727, on Flickr
About a month later:
IMG_5048 by Wiskey2727, on Flickr
It's working on encrusting now.
Whiskey
What is going on in your tank looks very much like mine when I was running a super clean tank and had too much light years ago.
I am running a 75G tank now, that I just started up, I have 4x54W T5's about 6 inches off the water's surface, and even those seem to be a bit much for some of my LPS. I measure ~180 par at the sand bed. Fine for SPS, even a little low provided they have enough nutrients but the LPS need some time to get used to it.
My SPS for the most part are coloring up nicely, I'm not thrilled with the growth and may go to 6x54 eventually but I'm waiting to see how things settle in. One thing I have to do right now though is feed allot! The SPS get lighter if I don't. I'm currently feeding the equilivant of 4 cubes of Misys every day, along with a shake of pellet food, and a squirt of oyster eggs, and a squirt of some other coral food. I feed 4 times throughout the day, (one at night, for the coral food) and each feeding time the skimmer is shut down for 45 min after. Apex turns it back on so I don't forget.
Here is how my green slimer is responding from the feeding:
When I got it:
IMG_4950 by Wiskey2727, on FlickrAbout a month later:
IMG_5048 by Wiskey2727, on FlickrIt's working on encrusting now.
Whiskey
jimrawr
New member
I don't post on here very often anymore, but I wanted to jump in on this thread.
What is going on in your tank looks very much like mine when I was running a super clean tank and had too much light years ago.
I am running a 75G tank now, that I just started up, I have 4x54W T5's about 6 inches off the water's surface, and even those seem to be a bit much for some of my LPS. I measure ~180 par at the sand bed. Fine for SPS, even a little low provided they have enough nutrients but the LPS need some time to get used to it.
My SPS for the most part are coloring up nicely, I'm not thrilled with the growth and may go to 6x54 eventually but I'm waiting to see how things settle in. One thing I have to do right now though is feed allot! The SPS get lighter if I don't. I'm currently feeding the equilivant of 4 cubes of Misys every day, along with a shake of pellet food, and a squirt of oyster eggs, and a squirt of some other coral food. I feed 4 times throughout the day, (one at night, for the coral food) and each feeding time the skimmer is shut down for 45 min after. Apex turns it back on so I don't forget.
Here is how my green slimer is responding from the feeding:
When I got it:
About a month later:
It's working on encrusting now.
Whiskey
Thanks for joining the discussion
I think you could be right about the feedings. I mean the way the corals look pale (including the favia on the sandbed) really looks like they are starving. The sunpower is really bright on top of it. I probably should try to get my hands on a par meter. In the meantime, will try to feed 2-3 cubes a day and also skim a bit less wet.Similar threads
