ReefWreak's 29g SPS Biocube Adventure!
- Thread starter ReefWreak
- Start date
I used paragraphs! (Not sure if it felt like 150 pages because too much text, or wall of text, or both, or neither).
It was a neat read, it made me ask more questions than it answered (in a good way though, not that its theories/concepts were full of holes).
And it made me re-realize how complex the ecosystems in our cubes of reef in our living rooms are.
It was a neat read, it made me ask more questions than it answered (in a good way though, not that its theories/concepts were full of holes).
And it made me re-realize how complex the ecosystems in our cubes of reef in our living rooms are.
soulpatch
New member
Yes and proper grammar which is why I read it all. I skip through many other posts where I can not get over the poor penmanship.
That said I guess I am at the opposite spectrum in a way when it comes to the tank. I KNOW that there are a ton of things going on and some of which I can control but I also know that we do not completely understand the inter relations of everything. So I view my big boxes more as living art then the true biosphere that they are. I do things to ensure the tank maintains its beauty as best as I can but I do not always understand the hows and whys.
So I made the 2 part after posting that, did a water change too. I haven't checked any levels other than salinity in a while, but corals are growing.
After adding 1mL of vodka every 3 days (NOT the right way to do it!) and adding a capful of microbacter 7 once a week, no more green on my glass, and my skimmer is pulling darker skimmate more consistently.
I'm reevaluating my algae-in-display and no-skimmer theory. I think the algae is good in the beginning, to uptake nutrients better than a skimmer, but after going 4-6 months without a skimmer and only with more algae, I'm not that happy with the results. I have measured little to no nitrates in this entire process, so nutrients were never the issue. I just haven't been getting good colors out of my coral as when I was skimming aggressively and doing the prodibio dosing (carbon dosing plus nutrients/amino acids).
If I get really crazy, I may do a dosing pump for vodka, but I'm still a long way from that.
I also noticed that my Tyree Red Dragon acropora which was immediately next to the red algae in the nano has suddenly started growing since I pruned back the algae... The Coral Reefs in the Microbial Seas book, as well as many other hobbyist publications online, have always stated that algae dampens coral growth through "biological warfare", but I never really believed it in our ecosystems. If this growth continues on this coral that hasn't grown much in 6-8 months, then maybe there is something to that.
Now what really makes me confused is how so many people have prolific refugiums but yet do not have issues with the algae slowing their coral growth. Or maybe they could get better growth by removing the algae, and they haven't noticed because they just don't know? I'm not sure, but I'm finding this question interesting.
We are the back of the envelope researchers.
After adding 1mL of vodka every 3 days (NOT the right way to do it!) and adding a capful of microbacter 7 once a week, no more green on my glass, and my skimmer is pulling darker skimmate more consistently.
I'm reevaluating my algae-in-display and no-skimmer theory. I think the algae is good in the beginning, to uptake nutrients better than a skimmer, but after going 4-6 months without a skimmer and only with more algae, I'm not that happy with the results. I have measured little to no nitrates in this entire process, so nutrients were never the issue. I just haven't been getting good colors out of my coral as when I was skimming aggressively and doing the prodibio dosing (carbon dosing plus nutrients/amino acids).
If I get really crazy, I may do a dosing pump for vodka, but I'm still a long way from that.
I also noticed that my Tyree Red Dragon acropora which was immediately next to the red algae in the nano has suddenly started growing since I pruned back the algae... The Coral Reefs in the Microbial Seas book, as well as many other hobbyist publications online, have always stated that algae dampens coral growth through "biological warfare", but I never really believed it in our ecosystems. If this growth continues on this coral that hasn't grown much in 6-8 months, then maybe there is something to that.
Now what really makes me confused is how so many people have prolific refugiums but yet do not have issues with the algae slowing their coral growth. Or maybe they could get better growth by removing the algae, and they haven't noticed because they just don't know? I'm not sure, but I'm finding this question interesting.
We are the back of the envelope researchers.
I have not had any issues with my flame angel. It seems of all of the dwarf angels, flame and coral beauty tend to pick the least, with dwarf angels generally picking significantly less than full-sized angels.
I had a coral beauty and rusty angel in my 120g SPS/mixed reef tank and they never picked at anything to my knowledge, everything grew prolifically.
29-34g tank is fine for a single angel with 2-4 other fishes, but they must be small. The angel is the largest of the fishes. It also picks all day at the liverock, so I would use fully grown-in liverock, ideally fresh from the ocean (though I did not start out this way, and mine went in pretty quickly). The angel I have now was also in a 34g solana with the other two clowns, and I believe another fish or two when I bought them originally from a hobbyist breaking down his tank.
I think the trick is keeping them well fed (though when I go on vacation I have someone feed once every 3-4 days, and have done this 4 times now without any issues), and keeping nutrients down through aggressive skimming.
I also have clams, a few softies (ricordia), plenty of LPS, but mostly SPS sticks, and have not noticed any of them being eaten by the angel. It does pick on the clam mantles now and then, but they actually don't respond much to it anymore. I would be nervous about their health from their lack of response, but they keep growing (can check the shell), so I think they're okay.
This is a great thread on people's experiences with angels in their reefs, and what they picked at. In a larger tank, one day I would love to add an Emperor Angel, it's one of my favorite fishes. But it needs >=180g tank.
Here's a quick thread on why and how you should QT new angels to keep them eating and happy as they adjust to your tank.
I had a coral beauty and rusty angel in my 120g SPS/mixed reef tank and they never picked at anything to my knowledge, everything grew prolifically.
29-34g tank is fine for a single angel with 2-4 other fishes, but they must be small. The angel is the largest of the fishes. It also picks all day at the liverock, so I would use fully grown-in liverock, ideally fresh from the ocean (though I did not start out this way, and mine went in pretty quickly). The angel I have now was also in a 34g solana with the other two clowns, and I believe another fish or two when I bought them originally from a hobbyist breaking down his tank.
I think the trick is keeping them well fed (though when I go on vacation I have someone feed once every 3-4 days, and have done this 4 times now without any issues), and keeping nutrients down through aggressive skimming.
I also have clams, a few softies (ricordia), plenty of LPS, but mostly SPS sticks, and have not noticed any of them being eaten by the angel. It does pick on the clam mantles now and then, but they actually don't respond much to it anymore. I would be nervous about their health from their lack of response, but they keep growing (can check the shell), so I think they're okay.
This is a great thread on people's experiences with angels in their reefs, and what they picked at. In a larger tank, one day I would love to add an Emperor Angel, it's one of my favorite fishes. But it needs >=180g tank.
Here's a quick thread on why and how you should QT new angels to keep them eating and happy as they adjust to your tank.
Thanks! My pleasure.
If going for less liverock, I'd chose fishes that aren't micro or macro grazers grazers (macro: tangs, micro: angels, dragonettes). But most other fishes are fine.
I'd check out the small wrasses, maybe a harem of fairy/flasher wrasses, or a pair of firefishes or something. Lots of fun options.
Good luck and don't hesitate to ask questions (or start your own thread) as you go along.
Pnewt
New member
Okay, thanks ago for the advice. I have started my own thread actually. 34g Solana build. Just mounted my pendant light, bulb will be here tomorrow. As far as fish go I know I want a pair of "designer clowns". Even though everyone has em I still love the look of some of those varrieties. And then 1 or two others. I was looking at the Midas Blenny but I think those are rock lovers as well so I'm really torn. I have had fire fish before and had terrible luck. One jumped ship and the other just died out of no where. For some reason I was not meant to have fire fish...
Added the largest chunk of marinepure left after cutting and "natural fracture". I cut it to 1.5" and 2.5" halves, and both half almost immediately broke. It's remarkably fragile, so it broke into pieces just moving it to the sink for rinsing.
Hopefully 2.5" is enough for denitrification. I will have to figure out a phosphate solution down the line, maybe gfo, but for now I'm hoping that this will get my tank back on track (even though I've still never measured any significant level of nitrates).
I wish calcium and alkalinity was this easy to control. 2 part is easy but runs out and then you have to adjust back again. I wish I had room for 10 gallon buckets of 2 part so I only had to replenish every other year.
Hopefully 2.5" is enough for denitrification. I will have to figure out a phosphate solution down the line, maybe gfo, but for now I'm hoping that this will get my tank back on track (even though I've still never measured any significant level of nitrates).
I wish calcium and alkalinity was this easy to control. 2 part is easy but runs out and then you have to adjust back again. I wish I had room for 10 gallon buckets of 2 part so I only had to replenish every other year.
The cutting actually went fine. When I gently laid it on its side, it just fractured apart on the two flat plates. I think the only thing hold the stock shapes together is that they get pressed before leaving the factory or something, because you'd think that a 2.5" block would only be slightly more fragile than a 4" block, but man, it crumbles apart. Must be some final shape pressing, shaping, or heating or something before they leave the factory.
I was gentle as hell, and it was totally fine while being cut.
Either way, the 2 2.5" thick pieces (one about 3/4 a block, one is a 2.5x2.5 or so tower) are both in the sump. We'll see how it goes.
Still have to work on phosphates then, and I'm still dosing vodka and microbacter7. I am pulling most of my algae out though after seeing such a positive response in growth of my Tyree Red Dragon frag that hasn't grown much since the algae grew large (algae/coral competition exists!).
I was gentle as hell, and it was totally fine while being cut.
Either way, the 2 2.5" thick pieces (one about 3/4 a block, one is a 2.5x2.5 or so tower) are both in the sump. We'll see how it goes.
Still have to work on phosphates then, and I'm still dosing vodka and microbacter7. I am pulling most of my algae out though after seeing such a positive response in growth of my Tyree Red Dragon frag that hasn't grown much since the algae grew large (algae/coral competition exists!).
I'm glad the pictures don't look particularly colorful earlier in the thread. They look about as brown as the tank is right now. I didn't change out my calcium and alkalinity 2 part in time, so the chemistry is all off and everything is brown (though growing).
I'm running the MP10QDs on reef crest (yellow) with each side alternating each other (the second MP10QD is on orange), and they're running around 40% or so.
I'll post pics at some point, but my corals are really growing into each other and killing each other. No bueno. I'm bad at trimming stuff, and don't have a frag rack to put stuff. I need to make a new magfloat+eggcrate shelf like I did in my old tank.
homer1475
New member
Funny you mention that. The one time I needed a frag rack, I made it out of egg crate, zip ties, and a couple magnets from an old hydor korralia PH. Worked like a champ and still have it if I ever need to use it again.
Yep, I used a medium (longer bar type) magfloat, some hot glue, and some egg crate. It lasted the entire time I had my 120g tank. It's also great for light-acclimating corals, since you can start at the bottom and work it upwards.
I wonder if mine is still at my parents house... We have tried clearing the old aquarium stuff out over time, but there's always apiece or two lingering around. I think I still have a 2x2.5g nano tank with PC lights that someone traded me for corals at some point.
Egg crate is definitely a duct tape level hobbyist helper in reefing.
I posted on another thread, but figured it was worth saying in here as well.
With regards to adding the marinepure, I'm seeing positive changes in the tank, but I'm more attributing them to removing algae, starting up vodka dosing 2 weeks ago, and going back to skimming in the last month or two than I am to 3 days of the marinepure blocks.
I've never detected any nitrates, so I'm not expecting anything to show now either.
I did notice my generally brown purple bonsai was starting to get its purple back. Is that from the alkalinity and calcium re-stabilizing again now that I changed out the dosing containers, or is it because of the marine pure, or is it from the skimming/removing algae/vodka+bacteria dosing? Not sure. But to me that is a positive change, and it is giving me a glimmer of hope.
I did notice though that I lost my frag of ORA Chips acro, one of my favorites. My fault, it was under a monti cap that I didn't cut back in time. I'm still losing flesh from the frag of Tyree Pink Lemonade acro (this is my 2nd run at this expensive frag, and it has never done well for me). I am seeing some fantastic growth in a few pieces that haven't done well for me historically, like the Tyree Red Dragon. That one I attribute entirely to the dragon's breath algae being so close to it, releasing chemical compounds to slow the growth of the coral.
I'm hesitating on getting rid of all of the dragon's breath algae, but I don't think I need it now with the skimmer back online and the marinepure.
Always changing methods, always learning, always exploring.
I posted on another thread, but figured it was worth saying in here as well.
With regards to adding the marinepure, I'm seeing positive changes in the tank, but I'm more attributing them to removing algae, starting up vodka dosing 2 weeks ago, and going back to skimming in the last month or two than I am to 3 days of the marinepure blocks.
I've never detected any nitrates, so I'm not expecting anything to show now either.
I did notice my generally brown purple bonsai was starting to get its purple back. Is that from the alkalinity and calcium re-stabilizing again now that I changed out the dosing containers, or is it because of the marine pure, or is it from the skimming/removing algae/vodka+bacteria dosing? Not sure. But to me that is a positive change, and it is giving me a glimmer of hope.
I did notice though that I lost my frag of ORA Chips acro, one of my favorites. My fault, it was under a monti cap that I didn't cut back in time. I'm still losing flesh from the frag of Tyree Pink Lemonade acro (this is my 2nd run at this expensive frag, and it has never done well for me). I am seeing some fantastic growth in a few pieces that haven't done well for me historically, like the Tyree Red Dragon. That one I attribute entirely to the dragon's breath algae being so close to it, releasing chemical compounds to slow the growth of the coral.
I'm hesitating on getting rid of all of the dragon's breath algae, but I don't think I need it now with the skimmer back online and the marinepure.
Always changing methods, always learning, always exploring.
Rotorocious
New member
Nice tank build up. Holla from Tallahassee!
I put a small cube of marine pure in my sump, originally under my skimmer like i saw in one of the brs videos. Then in the next video i saw they mentioned they removed it, went back to look at mine and the skimmer was digging into it. Crazy how soft but brittle it can be.
I put a small cube of marine pure in my sump, originally under my skimmer like i saw in one of the brs videos. Then in the next video i saw they mentioned they removed it, went back to look at mine and the skimmer was digging into it. Crazy how soft but brittle it can be.
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