My SPS Reef - Take 2
- Thread starter Patrick Cox
- Start date
rocknut
Rocky
Hi Patrick,
Just read through your thread, and wanted to say great job. I just restarted my 150 gallon (that had been running for almost three years) using 150 pounds of TBS rock and live sand. I basically echo what 99% of those that have used this rock have said: amazing rock that is full of life, and starts the tank off on the right foot. Even though I pulled out quite a few of the "bad" crabs before putting the rock into the tank, notice quite a few more when I look around the tank using a flashlight once lights have gone out...so more work ahead - but ultimately will be worth it, I think.
Also, getting ready to order a Lifereef skimmer for my tank to try out. Have a really expensive needlewheel skimmer that just hasn't ever really performed at the level I expected, so want to give something else a try to compare. Interested in your thoughts on this skimmer, and how it compares against other skimmers you have used?
Finally, I have run Zeovit twice, and had the exact same issue you noted several posts ago. Thought what I made was a MINOR adjustment to the flow through my reactor to move nutrients down just a bit, and killed half of my corals. Honestly, with this reboot of my tank, I am really relying on the TBS rock, and sand to provide as much of my filtration as possible, along with a good skimmer (which is why I am trying out the Lifereef), and GFO/GAC as well. No doubt that Zeovit works, but just seemed so touchy for me (only my personal experience), as I ended up wiping out my tank several times making small adjustments. When I removed my Zeovit equipment last time I basically told myself that until they come up with a way to monitor the amount of water going through the reactor (keeping in mind that I always used the measuring cup and stop watch technique 4-5 times with each adjustment to calculate my reactor flow), I just didn't think I was experienced enough in the hobby to run that kind of system. Of course, no sooner did I take my Zeovit stuff down that Apex announces their new Fluid Monitoring Module that should be able to do exactly that!
Anyway, again, great job. Definitely will be following along.
Rocky
Just read through your thread, and wanted to say great job. I just restarted my 150 gallon (that had been running for almost three years) using 150 pounds of TBS rock and live sand. I basically echo what 99% of those that have used this rock have said: amazing rock that is full of life, and starts the tank off on the right foot. Even though I pulled out quite a few of the "bad" crabs before putting the rock into the tank, notice quite a few more when I look around the tank using a flashlight once lights have gone out...so more work ahead - but ultimately will be worth it, I think.
Also, getting ready to order a Lifereef skimmer for my tank to try out. Have a really expensive needlewheel skimmer that just hasn't ever really performed at the level I expected, so want to give something else a try to compare. Interested in your thoughts on this skimmer, and how it compares against other skimmers you have used?
Finally, I have run Zeovit twice, and had the exact same issue you noted several posts ago. Thought what I made was a MINOR adjustment to the flow through my reactor to move nutrients down just a bit, and killed half of my corals. Honestly, with this reboot of my tank, I am really relying on the TBS rock, and sand to provide as much of my filtration as possible, along with a good skimmer (which is why I am trying out the Lifereef), and GFO/GAC as well. No doubt that Zeovit works, but just seemed so touchy for me (only my personal experience), as I ended up wiping out my tank several times making small adjustments. When I removed my Zeovit equipment last time I basically told myself that until they come up with a way to monitor the amount of water going through the reactor (keeping in mind that I always used the measuring cup and stop watch technique 4-5 times with each adjustment to calculate my reactor flow), I just didn't think I was experienced enough in the hobby to run that kind of system. Of course, no sooner did I take my Zeovit stuff down that Apex announces their new Fluid Monitoring Module that should be able to do exactly that!
Anyway, again, great job. Definitely will be following along.
Rocky
Patrick Cox
Active member
Well, it have been a while since I have given an update so I thought I would today. My tank has been in transition over the past 5 months or so and I feel like I am now on a good path. I finally figured out what was fueling the algae growth. It was die off of the sponges and tunicates from my live rock. Here is a an early picture of a rock that had lots of life on it that died off and this rock had the most algae...
But over the past 5 months, I have added two good algae eaters and I have stopped using the Zeovit reactor. I am still using a few Zeovit additives but other than that I am just running my skimmer. All corals are finally starting to grow and color up. Thanks for your support.
But over the past 5 months, I have added two good algae eaters and I have stopped using the Zeovit reactor. I am still using a few Zeovit additives but other than that I am just running my skimmer. All corals are finally starting to grow and color up. Thanks for your support.
Patrick Cox
Active member
Well, it has been 2 months since my last update so I thought I would give another one. Colors keep improving and I am getting some reasonable growth. Since I stopped trying to run ULNS I am in the process of switching to a salt with a bit higher Alk. Everything seems to be going fine with the gradual switch. Tank is approaching 1 year!
Also, I am thinking about removing one of the frogspawn and then moving the Red Goniopora opposite the remaining frogspawn. Any thoughts on this? I would appreciate suggestions.
Thanks for following!
Also, I am thinking about removing one of the frogspawn and then moving the Red Goniopora opposite the remaining frogspawn. Any thoughts on this? I would appreciate suggestions.
Thanks for following!
Looks good! Nice work! You mentioned you may remove some frogspawn, personally I would, or at least not let it get much bigger - frag is as it grows. But each person has their own opinion of what looks good, that's the beauty of this hobby!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Patrick Cox
Active member
Thanks! Will certainly give away one of the frogspawn. Not sure about the 2nd because my clownfish like it. Maybe I will cut the other back so it is smaller.
Patrick Cox
Active member
Here is an update with one of the Frogspawn removed and then I moved the remaining one in behind the rock. I think this looks better. Agree?
I will need to decide if I want to keep this one long term. My clownfish do enjoy it so I probably will. I may cut it back though.
I will need to decide if I want to keep this one long term. My clownfish do enjoy it so I probably will. I may cut it back though.
Patrick Cox
Active member
Yes, that is their safe spot. They sleep there.
codydemmel4
Active member
I like this aquascape and good to hear you bounced back from some RTN.
