Sonny's Rimless Shallow Reef.

[fireman912]

I believe SSB is shallow sand bed

 

[rs1831]

I believe SSB is shallow sand bed

Thanks.

 

[Ancelot]

SunnyX

I've run Zeo for a year now. You can and will get Cyano with the Zeo system as well. Zeo information indicates reducing the Start2 (Carbon Source) if this happens.

Recently, (Oct 09) I noticed the nutrients going up in my tank just from close observation. My ZeoBac was out of date and I suspected bad. I purchased some MB7 and started using it along with the Zeo Carbon source and things went back to "normal". As you stated, ZeoZym is a good product and does help rid the tank of cyano and other ailments. Using it according to instructions (with ZeoBac or bacteria source) does result in less cyano and reduced recurance. It also results in very clear water.

In the end, I believe that you are correct in trying to diversify the bacteria being introduced into the system. I now alternate between MB7 and ZeoBac with good results.

:thumbsup:

Sorry. but what's Zeo's carbon source? ZeoStart2?

Hope to be enlightened.

Happy Reefing,
Marc J.

 

[Henry Bowman]

Sorry. but what's Zeo's carbon source? ZeoStart2?

Hope to be enlightened.

Happy Reefing,
Marc J.

Yup Start2

 

[SunnyX]

Not that I can add a solution to the cyano problem. But, when I dosed bacteria(tried a few types{Reef-Resh, Zeovit, and Vodka}). All gave me cyano after a little bit of time. Every time this would start, I ended up stopping that particular bacteria I was using at the time, to have it go away within the next few water changes. Then, eventually I would try another type, but, could never find the right balance I guess?

Adding bacteria to any system can be tricky. Sometimes bacteria doesn't respond well to a system, making a refugium with GFO a better solution.

SunnyX

I've run Zeo for a year now. You can and will get Cyano with the Zeo system as well. Zeo information indicates reducing the Start2 (Carbon Source) if this happens.

Recently, (Oct 09) I noticed the nutrients going up in my tank just from close observation. My ZeoBac was out of date and I suspected bad. I purchased some MB7 and started using it along with the Zeo Carbon source and things went back to "normal". As you stated, ZeoZym is a good product and does help rid the tank of cyano and other ailments. Using it according to instructions (with ZeoBac or bacteria source) does result in less cyano and reduced recurance. It also results in very clear water.

In the end, I believe that you are correct in trying to diversify the bacteria being introduced into the system. I now alternate between MB7 and ZeoBac with good results.

:thumbsup:

Thank you for the observations. I will order some ZeoBak soon and let you all know how it goes.

 

[Isidoros]

Fantastic tank Sonny.:thumbsup:

 

[Szymon]

Sunny - one of the best tanks I've ever seen, visualisation of my tank of dreams - clear, colourfull, just perfect. Regards, Szymek

 

[Lyfey]

Do you think that by adding bacteria and/or a carbon source that the system becomes "dependant" on it and therefor goes into "withdrawel" when the system does not have enough? Or possibly that by adding the bacteria and the carbon source to make it the 100% dominant bacteria, the other bacteria that was "natural" that naturally fought off cyano would have been strained so thin by the "Mark Mcguire bacteria?"

Hmm just something to think about, when I told a guy at my LFS that I was dosing MB7/Vodka he said be careful cause my system will become dependant on it and will get the "shakes" if its not done perfectly.

I've been adding just MB7 for the last two months now and everything looks great. I personally think that when you are not dosing a carbon source that cyano on the sandbed has 90% to do with flow, now Mcliffy2, if your cyano is 1/2" away from your rockwork it could be that the flow in your tank bounces off of your rockwork thus creating a turbulant area on the ssb where the cyano does not find it "accomidating"

Just my .02c

-Chris

 

[SunnyX]

Fantastic tank Sonny.:thumbsup:

Sunny - one of the best tanks I've ever seen, visualisation of my tank of dreams - clear, colourfull, just perfect. Regards, Szymek

Thanks guys!

Isidoros, Greece really has some of the best tanks in the world!

Szymon, I have been a long time fan of your reef. I loved what you did with the last setup, and the new tank looks even better! I cant wait to see some more pictures of your fantastic setup.

 

[gary faulkner]

Do you think that by adding bacteria and/or a carbon source that the system becomes "dependant" on it and therefor goes into "withdrawel" when the system does not have enough? Or possibly that by adding the bacteria and the carbon source to make it the 100% dominant bacteria, the other bacteria that was "natural" that naturally fought off cyano would have been strained so thin by the "Mark Mcguire bacteria?"

Hmm just something to think about, when I told a guy at my LFS that I was dosing MB7/Vodka he said be careful cause my system will become dependant on it and will get the "shakes" if its not done perfectly.

I've been adding just MB7 for the last two months now and everything looks great. I personally think that when you are not dosing a carbon source that cyano on the sandbed has 90% to do with flow, now Mcliffy2, if your cyano is 1/2" away from your rockwork it could be that the flow in your tank bounces off of your rockwork thus creating a turbulant area on the ssb where the cyano does not find it "accomidating"

Just my .02c

-Chris

Or, the light is less intense at the base of the rocks.

 

[kaserpick]

Hey Sonny!

I read that you mentioned syphoning your sand every month. Are you just talking about vacuuming the 'goodies' out of it?

Also, I've started a tank recently and was thinking about adding sand. I know you would. I have a bag of Arag-alive Black sand (the dates still good), but I wasn't absolutely sure if putting it in there would spike anything. It's bacteria driven as well, using Prodibio's Bioptum, Bio-Digest, and Reef booster as well as Brightwell's MB7 and carbon source (used purely for diversity). Is there a safe way to add the arag-alive without harming the system? Thanks for the help!

 

[IndyReefMan]

Hi Sonny,

What is the current photoperiod on your tank? I think that mine may be too long because my yellow corals are getting very pale (but not bleached) and the purple growth tips are fading as well. The greens, blues, and reds look fine. I am carbon dosing with ZeoStart 2 and ZeoBak twice per week per Zeo guidelines. PO4 is 0.02 (Hanna) and NO3 is <1.0 (Elos). The tank is fed once per day generously. I have a 6 bulb ATI Sunpower fixture on my 72" bowfront tank. The bulb arrangement is:

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue Special
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
Back

The Aquablue Special and a Blue Plus are on for 12 hours per day. All 6 lights are on for 8 hours per day. Do you have any recommendations?

 

[SunnyX]

Help support those in need after the major quake in Haiti, TEXT 90999 with the word HAITI to donate $10 to the Red Cross. The people there are in desperate need of aid, food, and shelter. Please open up your hearts and donate today.

Thank you,

Sonny

 

[layer3switchguy]

Help support those in need after the major quake in Haiti, TEXT 90999 with the word HAITI to donate $10 to the Red Cross. The people there are in desperate need of aid, food, and shelter. Please open up your hearts and donate today.

Thank you,

Sonny

Sonny, you are truly a class act! Thanks for posting this! Your a good man....

 

[SunnyX]

Hey Sonny!

I read that you mentioned syphoning your sand every month. Are you just talking about vacuuming the 'goodies' out of it?

Also, I've started a tank recently and was thinking about adding sand. I know you would. I have a bag of Arag-alive Black sand (the dates still good), but I wasn't absolutely sure if putting it in there would spike anything. It's bacteria driven as well, using Prodibio's Bioptum, Bio-Digest, and Reef booster as well as Brightwell's MB7 and carbon source (used purely for diversity). Is there a safe way to add the arag-alive without harming the system? Thanks for the help!

Sand is great, isn't it? I would pass on the black sand. I have had friends try it and they had nothing but regrets. It looks good for a few weeks, eventually it gets dirty and looks like salt&pepper. Plus, I think that the greatest benefit of sand is the ALK stability and overall brightness that it adds to your system. If you do decide to add some sand I would soak it in old tank water for 48 hours to offset any ALK dip when adding it to your system. Also, you may want to add a double dose of bacteria on the day you add the sand, just in case.

I siphon out my sand once a month or so to clean up any detritus. Im sure I could let it sit longer but the siphoning has been great for the overall health of my system.

Good luck and please post some pictures after you add the sand. :thumbsup:

Hi Sonny,

What is the current photoperiod on your tank? I think that mine may be too long because my yellow corals are getting very pale (but not bleached) and the purple growth tips are fading as well. The greens, blues, and reds look fine. I am carbon dosing with ZeoStart 2 and ZeoBak twice per week per Zeo guidelines. PO4 is 0.02 (Hanna) and NO3 is <1.0 (Elos). The tank is fed once per day generously. I have a 6 bulb ATI Sunpower fixture on my 72" bowfront tank. The bulb arrangement is:

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue Special
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
Back

The Aquablue Special and a Blue Plus are on for 12 hours per day. All 6 lights are on for 8 hours per day. Do you have any recommendations?

Hello,

Here is my Photoperiod:

2 Blue+ and Aquascience 22k: 11:30 AM "“ 11:30 PM
Fiji Purple and Blue+: 2:00 PM "“ 11:00 PM
2 Aquablue Special: 4:30 PM "“ 9:30 PM

The Aquablue Special andALLBlue Plus are on for 12 hours per day? If so, that may be too long of a photoperiod. I had the same issues in the past and reducing my photoperiod by 2 hours did wonders for my colors.

Sonny

 

[SunnyX]

Sonny, you are truly a class act! Thanks for posting this! Your a good man....

I'm just trying to get the word out. I was watching the coverage of the quake last night on CNN and they posted the number in which to text so I had to post it here and on my Facebook page. It was very simple, you just text "Haiti" to 90999 and then they will send you a confirmation message saying "reply yes to donate $10 to the Red Cross".

Donating some money is the least I could do, especially with all of the suffering in Haiti. Some of the pictures were heartbreaking. :sad2:

$10 may not be much to most people here in the USA, but it goes a long way in a country like Haiti where the average worker only makes $400 a year.

Thanks to everyone who has or will donate.

 

[kaserpick]

Sand is great, isn't it? I would pass on the black sand. I have had friends try it and they had nothing but regrets. It looks good for a few weeks, eventually it gets dirty and looks like salt&pepper. Plus, I think that the greatest benefit of sand is the ALK stability and overall brightness that it adds to your system. If you do decide to add some sand I would soak it in old tank water for 48 hours to offset any ALK dip when adding it to your system. Also, you may want to add a double dose of bacteria on the day you add the sand, just in case.

I siphon out my sand once a month or so to clean up any detritus. Im sure I could let it sit longer but the siphoning has been great for the overall health of my system.

Good luck and please post some pictures after you add the sand. :thumbsup:

I understand what you mean by the brightness of the white; on the other hand, I love the pop black gives. You do have to clean it more to keep it black, though. That's a good point as well.

Thanks for the advice, I think I'll start soaking it then. What do you think about adding some bacteria to the bucket, while I soak it? Again, thanks for the advice, and as always, amazing tank!!

 

[SunnyX]

I understand what you mean by the brightness of the white; on the other hand, I love the pop black gives. You do have to clean it more to keep it black, though. That's a good point as well.

Thanks for the advice, I think I'll start soaking it then. What do you think about adding some bacteria to the bucket, while I soak it? Again, thanks for the advice, and as always, amazing tank!!

If you can, add a heater and small water pump to the tub that you will be soaking the sand in. An addition of bacteria to the tub couldn't hurt.

Sonny

 

[kaserpick]

If you can, add a heater and small water pump to the tub that you will be soaking the sand in. An addition of bacteria to the tub couldn't hurt.

Sonny

That's definitely a good idea. I have both set aside for water changes. I think I'll set that up so it'll be ready by the time I get back home next week. I'll definitely be sure to post pics after the sand. I just hope I can control it with all of the flow.

I'm curious, do you have pictures that kind of showcase your acans? I love acan lords! Thanks again!

 

[SnookSlayer08]

Sonny, what are you dosing right now? I tore down my tank a few months ago for finacial reasons and now I have a job so I've got the money to start it up again and was wondering if you're still dosing vodka and MB7?