Red sea program

[Tweaked]

I have adopted the red sea program and just added the second to last part of the "triangle" - Reef Energy A & B. Last is the Reef Colors A,B,C, & D. Intimidating however with all the tests and possibilities to fry your tank lol.

However, 2 weeks ago I got my foundation params to my likings and started dosing daily the all in one ABC+ powder from red sea. After some tweaking, and testing I dosed a straight week of 3/4 scoops daily and my results are as follows:

Kh - 2.9/8.1
Ca - 430
Mg - 1200

Added a direct dose of mag, but what about my alk? Good, too low? I run a mixed reef but am focusing on my SPS. Also, my salinity is at 1.025, and my temp runs 74 at night, and 77 at day.

 

[my2girls]

According to Red Sea, it depends what you are looking to do. If you want to push growth, then bump the alk up to 11 or 12 and raise the Ca to 450. If you are going for color, your parameters are about perfect. Maybe raise the Mg to 1250 and drop the Ca to 420.

I run Red Sea but follow the Zeo guidelines like I always have. Alk 7.4, Ca 410 Mg 1200-1300

Once you have the numbers where you want them, dose the ABC+ alone to keep them there.
I would hold off on the Colors part of the triangle for several months to get used to the system and drop your nutrients. Are you using NO3O4X? What are your NO3 and PO4 readings?

 

[Tweaked]

According to Red Sea, it depends what you are looking to do. If you want to push growth, then bump the alk up to 11 or 12 and raise the Ca to 450. If you are going for color, your parameters are about perfect. Maybe raise the Mg to 1250 and drop the Ca to 420.

I run Red Sea but follow the Zeo guidelines like I always have. Alk 7.4, Ca 410 Mg 1200-1300

Once you have the numbers where you want them, dose the ABC+ alone to keep them there.
I would hold off on the Colors part of the triangle for several months to get used to the system and drop your nutrients. Are you using NO3O4X? What are your NO3 and PO4 readings?

Ok, growth is key, but colors are where it's at. I will continue with the abc+ and retest next Sunday.

As for the no pox- yes I am again 3 out 4 on the red sea triangle. I took the day off to play with the the tank, so I will post current results in a bit.

 

[Tweaked]

According to Red Sea, it depends what you are looking to do. If you want to push growth, then bump the alk up to 11 or 12 and raise the Ca to 450. If you are going for color, your parameters are about perfect. Maybe raise the Mg to 1250 and drop the Ca to 420.

I run Red Sea but follow the Zeo guidelines like I always have. Alk 7.4, Ca 410 Mg 1200-1300

Once you have the numbers where you want them, dose the ABC+ alone to keep them there.
I would hold off on the Colors part of the triangle for several months to get used to the system and drop your nutrients. Are you using NO3O4X? What are your NO3 and PO4 readings?

NO3 is .50
PO4 is .04

So those are spot on at this point.

 

[Pallobi]

I jus don't understand all these dosing methods/systems... Never have, never will, lol... However, I wish you luck and hope u keep us informed on your experience with these products :beer:

 

[Tweaked]

I jus don't understand all these dosing methods/systems... Never have, never will, lol... However, I wish you luck and hope u keep us informed on your experience with these products :beer:

Ya I am at the point where I need my po4 lower, but not the no3. So a pickle. I already reduced feelings to once every two days, and only add ro/di water since day one, so I will lower the no pox dose and hope it doesn't go any higher at the least. I will keep this updated.

 

[my2girls]

In the Red Sea system to push color both are supposed to be near zero. So you have room for more Nopox if you want. I prefer NO3 around 1 or 2 ppm and PO4 0.03-0.06 for a mixed reef. At zero NO3 and PO4 SPS can look good with plenty of Reef Energy, but the LPS may recede slightly. It's a fine balance.

If you are going to use the Colors kit, I recommend buying the test kits. Overdosing the iodine and potassium especially can cause severe TN. Once you have your base line numbers you can correct those levels with your first dose. From there you can dose all (A,B,C and D) by your calcium usage. Monthly testing of Iodine, Potassium, and Iron should suffice.

 

[Tweaked]

In the Red Sea system to push color both are supposed to be near zero. So you have room for more Nopox if you want. I prefer NO3 around 1 or 2 ppm and PO4 0.03-0.06 for a mixed reef. At zero NO3 and PO4 SPS can look good with plenty of Reef Energy, but the LPS may recede slightly. It's a fine balance.

If you are going to use the Colors kit, I recommend buying the test kits. Overdosing the iodine and potassium especially can cause severe TN. Once you have your base line numbers you can correct those levels with your first dose. From there you can dose all (A,B,C and D) by your calcium usage. Monthly testing of Iodine, Potassium, and Iron should suffice.

Yep exactly, don't want to overdose. I have purchased all of the RS test kits despite the costs, and would do it all over again. Easy system for us beginners!

 

[Tweaked]

K, week 2 results 08/05/12:

Kh 3.3/9.2
Ca 450
Mg 1300

Dosed half scoop of ABC+ every day

NO3 0.0
PO4 .03

Dosed 6ml of Nopox every day

Salinity 1.025
Temp 76 at 1:30 in afternoon

Tested before weekly 10 gallon water change. In addition, red sea recommends dosing based on 25 gallons and I estimate 75 gallons out of a 72 display and 40 gallon sump. That being said, I have not been dosing the recommended 2 part reef energy of 4ml per 25 gallons. Instead I have been more at 8ml of each part total each dosing. It seems like allot to dump, and greens the water for a bit. I do shut off sump for 20 minutes as recommended. Will watch for a while on this.

Also, as recommended, I will cut Nopox by 50% and test again. Will also step ABC+ down a bit to 1/3 scoop daily.

All in all, colors continue to improve, algae non existent, and growth is moderate for both sps and lps.

 

[frankyrivera]

Sounds too complicated high maintenance and expensive. I like to keep things simple 2 part on dosing pumps automated and a little reef energy A&B here and there that's it. Good luck hope it works for u nothing better than a happy tank

 

[Tweaked]

Sounds too complicated high maintenance and expensive. I like to keep things simple 2 part on dosing pumps automated and a little reef energy A&B here and there that's it. Good luck hope it works for u nothing better than a happy tank

Honestly the abc+ at the amount I need is inexpensive, so is the Nopox. The reef energy is the most expensive. I have individual bottles of ca, mg, and buffer from red sea but haven't needed in a few weeks due to getting each to where I needed, then dose the all in one product abc+. Like I said, easy program for beginners, and you choose what you want, growth or color. The fine line as discussed earlier in the post is what we all hope for. I did look into dosing pumps and two part, which I might do eventually. However I like the manual labor at this point lol. Plus it is giving me an understanding of all involved. Good system. One mans opinion however.

 

[frankyrivera]

Cool man best of luck with the program. I try and get things as automated as possible with work family and friends I can't spend all my time testing and adjusting I run a set it and forget it program but I do like the red sea program and test kits keep us posted with tank shots before and after

 

[Tweaked]

Couldn't agree more, but I'm a noob lol, and still learning. I spend 5 to 10 minutes a day in the morning before work. Dump skimmer, add Nopox, add abc+. When I get home, turn off return from sump so skimmer remains running, and feed fish and add reef energy. Takes 20 minutes until I turn pumps back on. Love the idea of full auto hence the ato, large sump and skimmer, media reactor, etc. eventually will move to reef controller and auto dosing.

And here is my before shots. Also just got 4 more monti frags and a Hawkins blue frag from pc yesterday.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2189394

 

[frankyrivera]

Nice tank that's alot of frags ur gonna have a piece of the great barrier reef when they all grow in can't wait to see it best of luck bro happy reefing

 

[my2girls]

If you don't mind my input...

The best time to add the nopox is when the tank lights are on. Dose into sump.

ABC+ decreases pH so dose it at the end of your light cycle. Dose into sump.

Reef Energy is best dosed 10 minutes before your lights go out to take advantage of how different corals (mixed reef) feed. The neon green tint can stay in the water for a decent amount of time. So if you feed RE later at night, the tank will definitely be clear by the time you view it the next day after work. Dose into display tank.

Reef Colors can be dosed at any time preferably in the sump.

Turning off your return pump everyday is tough on it. Breaking a shaft or impeller at the wrong time could be disasterous. I feed my fish and Reef Energy everyday but don't turn any pumps off (anymore).

 

[Tweaked]

If you don't mind my input...

The best time to add the nopox is when the tank lights are on. Dose into sump.

ABC+ decreases pH so dose it at the end of your light cycle. Dose into sump.

Reef Energy is best dosed 10 minutes before your lights go out to take advantage of how different corals (mixed reef) feed. The neon green tint can stay in the water for a decent amount of time. So if you feed RE later at night, the tank will definitely be clear by the time you view it the next day after work. Dose into display tank.

Reef Colors can be dosed at any time preferably in the sump.

Turning off your return pump everyday is tough on it. Breaking a shaft or impeller at the wrong time could be disasterous. I feed my fish and Reef Energy everyday but don't turn any pumps off (anymore).

Was hoping you would chime in actually. So you dose the energy and don't turn anything off not even skimmer as recommended. I know turning off skimmer is bad so I turn off sump instead. Aware of the risk of losing pump which is why I have two but would rather do you are doing. Everything else I just need to adjust times I guess. Definately if it helps ph. Thanks again

 

[Tweaked]

Also in the program, am I not supposed to be feeding anything else. I do do drops according to label on kent phytomax, zoomax, etc and rotate which one I use each day. I also have reef chili from brs I mix and use for target feeds once a week. Should I stop all, or some of the feeds when using the rs program?

 

[my2girls]

No problem, I like to help.

At higher recommended quantities of Reef Energy the green tint can hang on for 8-10 hours (my experience). Turning the skimmer (or return) off for 20 minutes makes literally no difference.

I also have an extra return pump.

 

[my2girls]

As far as feeding, The RE is a complete food for all types of corals, even NFS corals like dendros and tubastrea. So feeding anything else is not necessary. Supplementing with other foods is okay You would know best by observing your corals and water quality. To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of any Kent product with "max"attached to it. The chili it fine but don't overdue it. Once per week sounds like a good plan.

 

[Tweaked]

:deadhorse:

As far as feeding, The RE is a complete food for all types of corals, even NFS corals like dendros and tubastrea. So feeding anything else is not necessary. Supplementing with other foods is okay You would know best by observing your corals and water quality. To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of any Kent product with "max"attached to it. The chili it fine but don't overdue it. Once per week sounds like a good plan.

Thanks. I figured this was the case, but wasn't positive. Almost out of the "max" planktons, so I will switch to only using the energy moving forward, and spot feed on a weekly basis with the chili.

As you know, my final leap is the colors part of the program, but my colors are already popping. Is there a problem not adding the a,b,c, & d and continue with what I'm doing?