Shallow Reef 36"x24"x16" - SPS Dominant Reef

[Revilo]

So if I put a DSB on this tank, it would limit the capacity of the marine pure block to remove phosphates because of the limited nitrates from using that DSB? Is that correct?

I think you are over thinking it. Picture it as an ultra porous piece of live rock and nothing more. It has the same capability as any piece of live rock for filtration except it is more absorbent and has way more surface area for bacteria to grow. It doesn't contain any secret chemicals or additions to remove nutrients; it just provides the right environment for bacteria to do what they do best.

 

[las]

I think you are over thinking it. Picture it as an ultra porous piece of live rock and nothing more. It has the same capability as any piece of live rock for filtration except it is more absorbent and has way more surface area for bacteria to grow. It doesn't contain any secret chemicals or additions to remove nutrients; it just provides the right environment for bacteria to do what they do best.

I think I understand what your saying and I believe we are on the same page but, correct me if I'm wrong but the bacteria on live rock does not help lower phosphates. Am I mistaken about this?

So I'm trying to understand how the use of the marine pure block helps to lower phosphates.

 

[Revilo]

I think I understand what your saying and I believe we are on the same page but, correct me if I'm wrong but the bacteria on live rock does not help lower phosphates. Am I mistaken about this?

So I'm trying to understand how the use of the marine pure block helps to lower phosphates.

As the bacteria on the block consume carbon sources within your tank water, they also consume nitrates and phosphates. So an increased population of bacteria will effectively lower your phosphates so long as there is a carbon source and nitrogen source available which is why you see some to carbon dose. A marine pure block is only an efficient "housing unit" and breeding ground for the bacteria. Think of it as an ultra apartment building for billions of residents(bacteria).

 

[las]

Ty for your explanation.

 

[Revilo]

Growth Shots

3/5/16 --- 3/12/16 --- 3/15/16

 

[Revilo]

Ty for your explanation.

No problem.

 

[reefmutt]

As the bacteria on the block consume carbon sources within your tank water, they also consume nitrates and phosphates. So an increased population of bacteria will effectively lower your phosphates so long as there is a carbon source and nitrogen source available which is why you see some to carbon dose. A marine pure block is only an efficient "housing unit" and breeding ground for the bacteria. Think of it as an ultra apartment building for billions of residents(bacteria).

This is a very good explanation but it should be pointed out that nitrates are much more easily consumed or consumed in much greater quantities than phosphates.. When a Carbon source is involved..
Without a Carbon source, nitrates are really the only nutrient consumed.. Food can act as a Carbon source but is not nearly as effective as the typical Carbon sources like vodka, vinegar, sugar, or pellets or nopox etc..

 

[Revilo]

UPDATE:

- I ordered some Berghia Nudis to combat my Aiptasia issue. I sorta let it get out of hand and could have stopped it from the beginning. I ordered 5; placed 2 in the display and the other 3 in a breeding container. So far in the display two Aiptasia have disappear that I know of.
- I am thinking of purchasing the Neptune WAV starter kit. This is due to the fact that cyano is starting to grow above my single Maxspect Gyre 130. It is nowhere else in the tank but directly above the pump. Also, I think I need to create an alternating current in the tank to eliminate a dead spot in one location of the tank.
-My bounce mushroom bubbles have deflated since I switched to T5s or because I upped my flow; I am not sure which change did it.


Here are some pics taken under the (2) 30" Reef Brite XHOs only:

And for something different and not normally photographed by reefers, here are some pests:

Aiptasia

Spaghetti Worm

 

[Wrangy]

Love the new pics and I'd love to get my hands on some of those ReefBrites too! I have to say I really like the pics of the spaghetti worm, awesome pics of something you don't see everyday

 

[Revilo]

Love the new pics and I'd love to get my hands on some of those ReefBrites too! I have to say I really like the pics of the spaghetti worm, awesome pics of something you don't see everyday

Thanks! You should get some ReefBrites; they color corals up pretty well!

I saw them on a rock and thought that it would be something different to capture and I am glad I did. They are pests but they have a beauty of their own.

 

[SputnikNYC]

What camera are you using, sir? Very nice pics

 

[Revilo]

What camera are you using, sir? Very nice pics

Thanks! Canon 70D

 

[maxxII]

Love the new pics and I'd love to get my hands on some of those ReefBrites too! I have to say I really like the pics of the spaghetti worm, awesome pics of something you don't see everyday

Thanks! You should get some ReefBrites; they color corals up pretty well!

I saw them on a rock and thought that it would be something different to capture and I am glad I did. They are pests but they have a beauty of their own.

Why do you consider spaghetti worms to be pests?

I understand the aptasia being pests, but spaghetti worms?

 

[Wrangy]

Thanks! You should get some ReefBrites; they color corals up pretty well!

I saw them on a rock and thought that it would be something different to capture and I am glad I did. They are pests but they have a beauty of their own.

I secretly miss blue led's and the amazing pop they add and the reefbrites look amazing and would work perfectly on my hamilton cebu sun unit so I definitely want to get some! No idea where to buy them from though haha

Yeah, I'm definitely glad you did too, fantastic pics and just nice to see something is such an awesome light given no one ever takes pics of them lol

Why do you consider spaghetti worms to be pests?

I understand the aptasia being pests, but spaghetti worms?

I wouldn't consider them pests at all, maybe if you get them to plague proportions lol but that says you've got bigger issues at hand. I definitely don't think they're pests and always leave the few in my tank alone

 

[maxxII]

Same here Dom, which is why I was curious as to his reasoning. While they arent particularly sexy detritivores, (not that such a thing really exists), but they do help keep things clean and arent super aggressive about it either like nassarius and larger bristleworms can be...

 

[Revilo]

Why do you consider spaghetti worms to be pests?

I understand the aptasia being pests, but spaghetti worms?

I secretly miss blue led's and the amazing pop they add and the reefbrites look amazing and would work perfectly on my hamilton cebu sun unit so I definitely want to get some! No idea where to buy them from though haha

Yeah, I'm definitely glad you did too, fantastic pics and just nice to see something is such an awesome light given no one ever takes pics of them lol


I wouldn't consider them pests at all, maybe if you get them to plague proportions lol but that says you've got bigger issues at hand. I definitely don't think they're pests and always leave the few in my tank alone

Same here Dom, which is why I was curious as to his reasoning. While they arent particularly sexy detritivores, (not that such a thing really exists), but they do help keep things clean and arent super aggressive about it either like nassarius and larger bristleworms can be...

Spaghetti worms are pest when they are near corals. When they extend their tentacles in search of food, they often irritate corals causing them to retract their polyps. it doesn't sting them but a coral that stays retracted too long doesn't grow.

 

[Wrangy]

Spaghetti worms are pest when they are near corals. When they extend their tentacles in search of food, they often irritate corals causing them to retract their polyps. it doesn't sting them but a coral that stays retracted too long doesn't grow.

Pest is definitely the right word in this situation lol I can't say I've had this happen so I guess that's why our opinions vary a bit of putty should deal with them nicely though?

 

[Acronic]

Sweet setup! diggin the royals too. Ill be keeping tabs up in here for sure

 

[Revilo]

Pest is definitely the right word in this situation lol I can't say I've had this happen so I guess that's why our opinions vary a bit of putty should deal with them nicely though?

I've tried super Aiptasia X but it doesn't work so well. Putty would be tough because in most cases the worm is around/in a coral.

 

[Revilo]

Sweet setup! diggin the royals too. Ill be keeping tabs up in here for sure

Thanks! I hope I don't disappoint.