Rainbow Archipelago 1.0 Reef Journal

[naterealbig]

Hey Nate, nice to see the great update!
Glad things are progressing well.
Nice sump and great plumbing!

Thank You Matt!

Nice update! The plumbing and stand are exquisitely pleasing. Can't wait to see this tank fill out with your dream corals keep us posted. I'll be by the house to check up on the tank

Thanks bro. Another setback, but I think I'm on the right track.

Nate,
IME as long as your water is equal or better than the tank it comes from, frags usually will have few problems. Glad you caught your culprit, I am sure things will turn around soon.

I agree Perry. NO3 in the original tank was undetectable. They were at 7.5 when I first introduced the frags. I figured they could use a little bit of NO3 so I didn't sweat it. After about 10 days however, they have crept up.... Well crept up may not be the right word - they downright exploded :blown:

My 2 cents.. I think you might be pushing things a bit.. Give the system a little more time to mature in its new configuration...
Good luck with the wc and clean up!

I think you hit the nail on the head Matt. I definitely have been pushing it, which might not have been too bad, but I have also not been as attentive as I usually am. The NO3 came up pretty quick over 10 days or so.

After emptying the sump and blowing out my rock inthe display this morning, I noted an enormous amount of detritus. I attribute it to two things. First, I never really washed off the rock after cycling it. There was a lot of mud and gunk still left in it. Also, I have been using mesh filter socks instead of the felt-like material. I think that the mesh allows more detritus to flow through, and it has been building up in the LR in my sump. I cleaned ALL of it today though, and finished off with a 20 gallon water change.

I know that the large water change itself may cause some discontent with the corals, but I weight it against the high level of nitrates, and picked what I thought to be the lesser evil. I'm just getting off work, and I'll check things in the morning.

Wow, I really like the look you pulled off. :beer: Sorry about the STN on some of the SPS.

Tank will look great in a few months once growth and colour takes off.

Thank you so much Sahin. I'm going to get the NO3 issue under control, and I'll post another update soon. Hopefully the cleaning and water change will have stopped the necrosis.

I think the foundation is solid, I just need to get the parameters right, and things should be good to go. I've got my kalk reactor online, I'm just waiting for the Alk/Ca demand to pick up and I will begin running the doser.

Thank you for the compliment!

 

[naterealbig]

Had some new toys come in the mail today....

 

[reefmutt]

Holy moly that's a lot of matrix!
You could actually keep Biggles in your tank with all that matrix!! ... AND feed him several times a day..

 

[tank master]

What's in there Nate?

 

[naterealbig]

Holy moly that's a lot of matrix!
You could actually keep Biggles in your tank with all that matrix!! ... AND feed him several times a day..

I know, it's a little overkill for the 65. I just figured I'd buy a bunch of it now, before it gets expensive after it gains popularity. The recommended amount if 1L per 100 gallons; I rounded my tank volume up and then doubled it, for a total of 4 Liters that I planned on running on my current setup. Thinking about my next upgrade which will be a 165g I would need about triple that (extrapolation based on planned usage for the current setup), left me a little over 3 gallons. Now I just need to find a reactor big enough to put it all in :hmm2:

Just thinking about planning ahead for the next tank really. I already have the exact Live Rock pieces that I am going to use, and I'm picking up plumbing as I can find it. My 2 return pumps are a few hundred gallons short of what I need also, and while I'm temped to buy a couple cheaper larger returns, I'm saving up for an Ecotech Vectra L1, which will go on this tank, as well as my next one. It will be a long time before I'm there, but when I am, I'll be a few grand less in the hole!

What's in there Nate?

Hi Hung! Great to see you drop by. Sorry I don't have much for updates. I'm running a modified version of your lighting schedule at a much lower intensity. Once I get the basics under control, I will begin tracking coral coloration and growth, and adding more light to my schedule. It will probably be a couple months before I start messing around with anything. I realized early on that one of the bad things about the Radion is that it is too easy to change!

The two tall containers you see in the picture are poly tanks. One I will use for top-off, and the other I will use for mixing salt water. These are nice, because they will fit in the linen closet directly behind the aquarium. The 5 gallon bucket is filled with SeaChem Matrix, which is a naturally mined stone utilized for nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria propagation. It can be compared to Siporax, although Siporax is synthetic (and prettier). I believe Sahin, Denadai, and Carlos Moreno are all using it - and have beautiful systems.

Directly from SeaChem's website:

Matrix™ is a high porosity biomedia that provides efficient biofiltration for the removal of nitrogenous waste. Matrix™ is a porous inorganic solid about 10 mm in diameter. Each liter of Matrix™ provides as much surface (>~700 m2) as 170 liters of plastic balls! Plastic bio-materials provide only external surface area, whereas Matrix™ provides both external and internal macroporous surface area. These macropores are ideally sized for the support of nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria. This allows Matrix™, unlike other forms of biomedia, to remove nitrate along with ammonia and nitrite, simultaneously and in the same filter.

Matrix™ is completely inert and will not breakdown. It need not be replaced. Since the majority of the bacteria are internal, Matrix™ may be rinsed when needed without damaging the filter. Matrix™ is compatible with all types of wet or wet-dry filters.

 

[naterealbig]

Update

Update

Completed a 2nd 20 gallon water change on the tank today. Polyp extension is looking a little better, and NO3 is measuring somewhere between 10 and 15. Too high still I know, but I don't think any more corals will RTN at this level.

One of the 2 corals that started to RTN has stopped, but the other has gone completely. Most of the other corals are looking OK, and a couple are looking great.

Not sure if I mentioned this, but the display overflow is situated in the middle of the right panel of the display. I wanted to (and am currently) running a gyre (the Fluid Dynamic term, not a Maxspect powerhead model). I am accomplishing this by situating an Ecotech Vortech on each side of the overflow, and operating them in pulses, such that the powerhead on one side of the overflow is on high, while the other one is on low. These powerheads switch speed back and forth throughout the day. While the pump closest to the front display panel is on high, the water will move in a clockwise direction around the tank (when looking from above), and a counter-clockwise direction when the other pump is running on high.

This accomplishes several things. It allows for an enormous amount of water mass movement with a relatively small powerhead. eliminates the tendency for corals to grow in one direction, and causes most of the display detritus to build up right in the center of the tank (which allows for easy removal with a bare bottom setup).

For those that don't know what a gyre is, check out this very informative article from Advanced Aquarist.

I'm making note of all of this as a build up to a relatively unimportant update - I bumped my Vortechs up about 25% and am noticing an incredible amount of water movement within the aquarium, despite the overall velocity of the water to remain low. (Only seasoned aquarists will truly appreciate this). Hopefully this, along with my aquascaping, will eliminate the need for flow supplementation after the corals have matured.

 

[Cdodge1]

Completed a 2nd 20 gallon water change on the tank today. Polyp extension is looking a little better, and NO3 is measuring somewhere between 10 and 15. Too high still I know, but I don't think any more corals will RTN at this level.

One of the 2 corals that started to RTN has stopped, but the other has gone completely. Most of the other corals are looking OK, and a couple are looking great.

Not sure if I mentioned this, but the display overflow is situated in the middle of the right panel of the display. I wanted to (and am currently) running a gyre (the Fluid Dynamic term, not a Maxspect powerhead model). I am accomplishing this by situating an Ecotech Vortech on each side of the overflow, and operating them in pulses, such that the powerhead on one side of the overflow is on high, while the other one is on low. These powerheads switch speed back and forth throughout the day. While the pump closest to the front display panel is on high, the water will move in a clockwise direction around the tank (when looking from above), and a counter-clockwise direction when the other pump is running on high.

This accomplishes several things. It allows for an enormous amount of water mass movement with a relatively small powerhead. eliminates the tendency for corals to grow in one direction, and causes most of the display detritus to build up right in the center of the tank (which allows for easy removal with a bare bottom setup).

For those that don't know what a gyre is, check out this very informative article from Advanced Aquarist.

I'm making note of all of this as a build up to a relatively unimportant update - I bumped my Vortechs up about 25% and am noticing an incredible amount of water movement within the aquarium, despite the overall velocity of the water to remain low. (Only seasoned aquarists will truly appreciate this). Hopefully this, along with my aquascaping, will eliminate the need for flow supplementation after the corals have matured.

Hey Bro,

glad to see things progressing.your stand interior looks AMAZING. I'm a huge fan of the look you achieved. Antique, yet crisp and clean. Your organization is impeccable as always... lol. I noticed your thread with the sick fish last month around this time. Not to :deadhorse:, but if I can offer my two cents:

IME, moving fish around and dosing medication can often stress the fish even more than the disease. You mentioned the fish were eating and behaving normally. Personally, I would have waited and began feeding them a varied diet (vegi's for the tang, etc) possibly with some garlic soak. Half of me believes that garlic doesn't do anything, but it does seem to increase appetite (which is usually in correlation to overall health) and there is some who believes it helps bolster the immune system of the fish. Whether or not it is true or just forum mumbo jumbo, I can't say. I have had diseased fish in my display that eventually recovered after a while. I just made sure my params were decent and fed garlic soaked brine, seaweed, mysis, formula 1 flakes, etc. Also combining two or more medications at once to treat fish probably stresses the fish more than intended. I'm no expert, but I did want to share my thoughts on that topic with you. It may be food for thought in the future.

Very clever with the gyre method you are using. I know it is just a matter of time before this tank takes off! No3 and such is manageable and really not that big of an issue. I too am having issues at the moment with No3 and phosphates but my corals are hanging in there! Can't wait for more updates!

Best,

Chris

 

[sahin]

I think its time for an update.

 

[naterealbig]

Hi Sahin! Yes, this thread is definitely due for an update. I have been putting in some major hours at work, and trying to balance time with my son and girlfriend, and to be honest, the tank has taken the back seat.

I have lost all but three of my original 20 or so sps, and even those are hanging on by a thread. The tank has been very unstable - mostly due to my impatience, and incorrect assumptions based on previous (and much larger) systems. For my 150 which had very little rock and was also run bare bottom, I had to add build my fish count up to about 32-36 (and feeding 4-6 frozen cubes throughout the day) before I could get the sps to color up or show any amount of measurable nitrates.

Based on this experience, I tried to build my bioload to this level proportionately, but found that this smaller system reacted markedly different to high levels of feedings. The nitrates rose quickly (20-30ppm). I tried to compensate by adding more live rock to the sump, but this didn't immediately help the issue. Partly because the flow to my sump was very slow, and secondly, because i believe that the rock took a much longer time to cycle than normal. Perhaps i lost a substantial amount of bacteria during the move.

By the time i had come to this conclusion, all SPS showed a significant amount of tissue necrosis. I tried large water changes and altering my lighting schedule, but it seemed to only make things worse. I borrowed a larger return pump to increase flow to my sump (and live rock) and this seemed to help a little.

It wasn't until my fish came down with ich, and i moved them all to QT that the STN completely stopped. By this time almost all sps had died (while my LPS were still hanging in there). Ultimately, i believe that my tank had not fully cycled, and ammonia was not being processed quickly enough. Trace levels were enough to kill off SPS slowly, but not high enough to kill the LPS or fish. Lesson? Patience is key.

I added sand last night to the tank, as i got tired of scrubbing the bottom of the tank . It will be about another 6 weeks before i can add the fish back to the display, and i will only be adding 2 or 3. I will keep my clown pair and lubbocks wrasse. Perhaps my tail spot blenny. I will also be adding a refugium when i build my new sump. This should be enough time for the sand and rock to complete any cycling that is left.

I will post some pics as soon as i get a few minutes. Within the next day out two. Cheers!

 

[sahin]

Sorry about the tank troubles. Hopefully things will settle down as the tank ages a bit more. Post some pics anyway, be good to see how things are at the moment.

 

[naterealbig]

Thank you for the kind sentiment Sahin. I will snap some shots tomorrow before maintenance. Thank you for dropping in Sahin.

Best

 

[plyle02]

Nate,
Sorry to hear about the struggle, but that usually means a new fresh attitude towards forward progression, so I am excited to see the enthusiasm despite recent woes. You know what to do, I usually get back to the basics and build from there, so hopefully we will see that beauty in full success. Best of luck to you Nate, the new year is right around the corner, this gets me all pumped up for a new year with the tank

 

[naterealbig]

Hey Perry, thank you for the encouragement and words of wisdom! You are right, getting back to the basics, and being patient (which I vowed early on in my thread - and failed so miserably at) will be what I work from.

Like I mentioned, having the fish in QT for a few weeks will allow the tank to finish settling in biologically. Funny, it wasn't until I pulled the fish out of the tank that I actually saw some "normal" signs of cycling, such as tufts of algae on the rock, and the brown diatomaceous algae that are so common with startups. It's just another reinforcement of the idea that our systems are very fragile, and that all things reef must be done slowly.

Yes, there will be some great things to come along with the tank this year, and I'm excited to start looking around for some choice SPS, polyps (I have a dedicated rock for them - the small one in the center), and a Sunburst Anemone (The lower flow - which I have been forced into by adding sand - will allow for this now). As you will see from the pics, I have my LPS picked out, with the exception of perhaps a nice torch if I can find one.

 

[naterealbig]

Couple Updated Pics

Couple Updated Pics

 

[reefmutt]

Nate, sorry the hear about the set backs!
Your tank looks like it has already forgotten about them.
Looking forward to the new additions.

 

[naterealbig]

Hi Matt, thank you for the nice words! The 3 across I have left have very little tissue, but are exhibiting polyp extension, so it's a big change. The LPS are expanding more than ever, and are starting to regain some color.

I remember, a few posts back that you mentioned I might be moving to fast with the livestock. I would like to acknowledge your warning and state for the record that you were absolutely right - I should have listened better!

I will wait until the sps start to grow a bit, before I try adding another fresh or two. Let me know if you see anything awry .

Thank you for stopping by Matt. Best.

 

[sahin]

Hey buddy. Hope you had a nice Xmas.

Tank is looking better. I'm really looking forward to seeing the progress of your tank; I'm going 100% LED with Radions over my tank...3 of them over my tank. I'll be comparing my progress; my tank is settled; but grown up on mainly T5's.

Is your Radion still setup with Schwings Radion schedule?

Have a wonderful New Year. Hope 2016 is a great year for you.

 

[naterealbig]

Hey Sahin, Christmas was great - got some time off of work and was able to just relax with the family.... Well, maybe "relax" isn't the right word . Thank you for the compliments on the tank. I am seeing better polyp extension every day, and some actual growth! The colors have not started to come back yet, however.

I read in your thread that you were going all LED, and that makes me very excited to hear! I am not currently utilizing Schwings Radion Schedule. I have Hung's (TankMaster) Radion Schedule and utilized that in the beginning of the setup, and it seemed the corals were taking to it very nicely. I have since changed it to a less "aggressive" lighting schedule, while I was trying to diagnose my coral's tissue necrosis. Of course - and I should have seen this early on - the light was not the issue.

Once I am getting some more growth and improved coloration, I will be switching back to Hung's Radion schedule.

I hope you have a great New Year's as well, and of course, I will update the thread with any improvements. Take care!!

 

[plyle02]

Nate,
Looking good man, I think the layout looks superb, very open design, fish will love you for that I think you added matrix to the system, any updates on how that is going? Sunburst huh, those things are selling with a lofty price tag, lol... Oh well, should be able to make that back in short order, they seem to split fairly often like most BTA's Hope you have a Happy New Year, now get that X-mas money and load up on some acros man

 

[naterealbig]

Thank you Perry, I have always liked the very open 'scapes with minimal rock. I have not yet put the Matrix online. I am waiting to assemble the glass for my new sump, then I will keep it in an egg crate box. I downsized my skimmer, and am still trying to plan the layout of the sump, which will include a Chaeto refugium and the Matrix. It will likely be another couple weeks before this is done.

Meanwhile,I am organizing all of my wiring and electrical components on the outside panel, utilizing wire duct. It should look very clean once complete.

About the sunburst anemone - I don't necessarily have to have the designer brand, but a lookalike would suffice . Something with some orange, red, and green I would be happy with. And, it is just a contemplation for now.....