My Experiment with higher nutrients...epic fail!!!

[Stolireef]

About two weeks ago, I decided that I was going to remove the 100 micron filter sock to increase nutrients in my 110 SPS dominant tank.

Well, after much consideration and the loss of three of my favorite sps corals, the verdict is that, at least for me, the filter sock removes something that the SPS doesn't like. LPS such as torch, hammer and acan look better than ever. But, no way at the expense of my SPS.

I was out of town this week but noticed things were a bit unhappy before I left. That said, I figured it was a function of a change in parameters and decided to give it one more week.

Tank info is 110 SPS dominant running a fuge, RO Skimmer, 2x250W DE 20K Ushios, 2x54W T5 actinics. Prior to making the change, my water would be considered low nutrient with unmeasurable nitrates and phosphates. I'm too irritated now to retest but will do so in the morning before the water change.

Oh well. Stick with what works I guess is the lesson I've learned.

 

[REEF SMAC]

Hard to imagine that simply removing a filter sock would have that much of an effect.

Especially in just two weeks.

Did the water slashing into your sump without a filter sock slowing it down stir up a bunch of stuff off of the bottom of your sump?

Why would you want to increase your nutrients?

 

[Stolireef]

Well, despite my irritation, I ran a nitrate test and guess what (color me shocked) Nitrates at 30 PPM. I'm so PO'ed at myself for making this type of change (a) without being in town for at least a month and (b) because it goes against my most basic theory of keeping SPS (low nutrients). Live and learn I guess.

 

[Stolireef]

:headwally:

Hard to imagine that simply removing a filter sock would have that much of an effect.

Especially in just two weeks.

Did the water slashing into your sump without a filter sock slowing it down stir up a bunch of stuff off of the bottom of your sump?

Why would you want to increase your nutrients?

Good points. I change my filter sock at least every other day if not every day. It always turns dark brown with a combination of detritus and usually some uneaten food. I believe the sock allows me to feed more (good for fish) without hurting water quality. I run a MJ1200 in my sump to keep any detritus from settling there so it's still clean. Moreover, the fuge should take up anything like that.

I wanted to slightly increase nutrients because of what I've read here on RC about the need for slight amounts of phosphates and nitrates for growth and coloration. My new belief is that the amount of those nutrients that is necessary for healthy SPS is below our ability to read with hobbyist tests. Then again, it may just have been a sudden change in the nutrient level that caused the problem.

I've been in this hobby for 10 years and still don't know what I'm doing.:hmm4::headwally:

 

[REEF SMAC]

Every day change out sounds like a lot of work.

Mine last at least 4 to 5 days. I use the large 7" x 30" ones.
I've also ran without and didn't really have any huge changes. Just a bunch of detritus in my sump that I didn't really like. I have a lot less detritus everywhere in my system when I run socks. That is why I prefer them.

Nitrate at 30 doesn't sound like it would be enough to kill corals?

Are you sure you don't have something else going on here?

Maybe feeding a little more to raise nutrient would be a better way to go if you feel you need it to be higher.

I've been in this hobby for 10 years and still don't know what I'm doing.:hmm4::headwally:

Lol. I don't think I'll ever be able to tell anyone I know what I'm doing.

 

[Stolireef]

I really appreciate the thoughts. So frustrating but the only change was the sock. I think I'm going back to collecting stamps.

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