Neglected reef...

jhawkor

jhawkor

New member
Hey everyone, I have been very busy the past few months and my reef is showing it. I have been running without a protein skimmer for about 4 months because I haven't had the time or money to replace it. Rght now my rocks are covered in Byropsis and my powerheads and other equipment is infested with Ulva...My fish are all happy but my corals are going out one by one. It looks really bad right now and I'm not sure where to start. I have been using RO/DI water for top off but it's been a while since I've done a water change...Where would you guys start to restore my reef?
 
I forgot, it's a 75 gallon DT with a 20 gallon sump/refugium with Chaeto and Ulva...The Ulva has infested my DT...
 
Well first I would start with weekly water changes for the time being. Maybe 20 gallons a shot. I would also look into adding some type of Phosphate reactor to start fighting the algae that has taken over the DT. Maybe pull some rocks out and manually remove some of the larger spots of algae. Getting a protein skimmer up and running again as soon as possible would help as well. Also slowly raising your Mg to around 1500ppm should kill off the bryopsis...
 
Start a new club "the 4 month+ no skimmer and wc club!"
Man add the skimmer asap and I imagine a small wc because the system is probably really use to being dirty. Test your levels especially ph/alk/po4/no3 immediately. For the nasties I hear those lettuce nudibranchs are lawnmowers.
 
I would start with water changes, and I would consider an aggressive water changing plan until you get a new skimmer up and running -- maybe 15 gallons twice a week and get as much algae out as you can every time you change the water. It may take a few months, but the water changes will get your measurables back in line and will help export nutrients until you get a new skimmer.
 
I just ordered a BRS GFO reactor and their high capacity media. I'll start the WC's today. I'm going to get a new skimmer asap.
 
Quick question guys. Once I get my Mag up to 1500ppm or so when will I start to see the Byropsis dying off?
 
It can take a couple weeks for the bryopsis to die off totally. You will notice it starts to lose its green color and turn white as the treatment becomes effective. Make sure you use Kent Tech M to raise it.
 
Just do 2, 50% water changes in a week and then you should be starting a little closer to fresh. After that, keep up with 10-15% every week till you get a skimmer, and feed a little light in that period.
 
username in use said:
Just do 2, 50% water changes in a week and then you should be starting a little closer to fresh. After that, keep up with 10-15% every week till you get a skimmer, and feed a little light in that period.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I just did a 20 gallon change today, and I'll probably do the same tomorrow. I also just installed a GFO reactor.
 
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