New to the WCR

[andrepeixoto]

Hi everyone,

My name is Andre, and I live in Santa Rosa. After about 12 away from the hobby, I started a new 29gal reef a couple of months ago, and would like to be part of the WCR, to attend the meetings and exchange experience with the rest of the local reefers, I would probably ask more question than everybody else trying to catch up with the last decade of advancements on the hobby

Thanks and hope I hear from you soon.

Andre

 

[swk]

Welcome!

 

[mav3rick478]

Hello Andre, We're in the same boat because I've been away from the hobby about 10 years.

 

[thysrof]

Andre Welcome to the club. We meat every other month. Watch the Club forum for announced date and time

 

[andrepeixoto]

Hello Andre, We're in the same boat because I've been away from the hobby about 10 years.

How are doing on your end?

My tank is stable last week test was: Calc:320ppm, Ph:8.4, Phophate:0.25, Nitrate:0, nitrite:0 and amonia:0

But I have some green algae on the rocks and sand, that I have no clue where is coming from.

 

[mav3rick478]

How are doing on your end?

My tank is stable last week test was: Calc:320ppm, Ph:8.4, Phophate:0.25, Nitrate:0, nitrite:0 and amonia:0

But I have some green algae on the rocks and sand, that I have no clue where is coming from.

Doing alright, I was battling Cyano then Dino after getting my LEDs. Lost my fish to Ich before my 2 week vacation but came home to a Dino free tank because all of the sudden I had a small pod population or at least that seems to have helped along with an additional powerhead or maybe my rocks were done leaching phosphate who knows. Now leaving it fish free to rid myself of any straggling Ich, going on week 4.

At least you have green algae, my rocks are so barren from my CUC they are bright white because I started my tank with dried Reef Rocks. Hoping that coraline algae will start to grow soon.

 

[andrepeixoto]

I had the ich problem about 5 weeks ago, now I have a 10gal quarantine tank for every fish that I buy.

My pod population was insane during the ich treatment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zj37HArYr90

Here is a photo of the green algae.

the pods

 

[Reef Bass]

Welcome Andre.

My tank is stable last week test was: Calc:320ppm, Ph:8.4, Phophate:0.25, Nitrate:0, nitrite:0 and amonia:0

I suggest raising your calcium to a bit over 400 and testing for alkalinity and magnesium as well, especially if you're going to keep any stony corals.

 

[andrepeixoto]

Welcome Andre.
I suggest raising your calcium to a bit over 400 and testing for alkalinity and magnesium as well, especially if you're going to keep any stony corals.

What is the best supplement?

I have used Salifert All-In-One, for a little bit but i'm not sure it's giving me any results.

I have not seen any coralline algae growth since I setup the tank in April, what is the way to promote the growth?

 

[swk]

To raise calcium and alkalinity to desired levels I would either Google "Randy's DIY 2 part" or just buy a package from brs.

To keep them there, there are a few options. The easiest and cheapest is probably kalkwasser as it'll keep both in check with a single component.

2 part gives you more control over the individual parameters, but is also twice as easy to mess up, since there are 2-3 components. It is also more costly as its best dosed throughout the day with dosing pumps. More expensive to setup than kalkwasser with a reactor.

Finally there is a calcium reactor. This is the best imo but can be a substantial up front cost. Plan on anywhere from 500-2000+ depending on choices.

 

[mav3rick478]

I like to use separated elements if I'm adding to the tank instead of All-In-Ones, to me at least you have more control and the elements are more controlled from the manufacturer as well. Even as I say that I just started using Kent 2 part Nano Supplement until I start dosing Kalk haha.

Calcium will promote coraline, it just takes some time. If you have some rocks that have coraline on them already it helps speed up the process. If you have an acrylic tank it speeds it up even more, coraline loves acrylic tanks. I used to have a 55 gallon acrylic tank and had to scrape off coraline daily.

 

[andrepeixoto]

I will start using kalkwasser, to get my number to a good standard, and them switch to a 2 part solution.
What do you guys think about B-ionic 2 part?

 

[swk]

I will start using kalkwasser, to get my number to a good standard, and them switch to a 2 part solution.
What do you guys think about B-ionic 2 part?

Kalk will raise the alk and ca in a balanced ratio. If you want to raise calcium alone then kalk won't do it

 

[andrepeixoto]

Kalk will raise the alk and ca in a balanced ratio. If you want to raise calcium alone then kalk won't do it

I did a KH and CA test last night and it's reading KH 170ppm CA 320ppm, so I'm thinking the Kalk would be a good bet to raise both a little, and after I get closer to a good number I can start using the 2 part to fine tune.

What do you think? and what number should I target for? KH 190 and CA 420?

 

[swk]

I aim to have my Hanna alk tester read around 135-140. But, I keep sps almost exclusively. Does that matter, I don't know. I get better results with alk closer to seawater levels

 

[andrepeixoto]

What is the best way to dose Cal and Mag to raise the tank levels?

Slow dropping the product dose directly to the tank;
Diluted on a small container with some tank water and drop in;
Or, Add to the RO water

Remember I want to raise the levels not maintain it

 

[swk]

Just dose in the tank to a high flow area. Get mag settled first before you mess with alk or calcium

 

[ReefClown420]

Hi there im new also.

 

[Reef Bass]

Hello and welcome to the Wine Country Reefers, ReefClown420.