Sonny's Rimless Shallow Reef.

[macreefster]

no problem, just let me know when.

my water was already crystal clear with hardly any nitrate (2ppm). my elos phosphate test kit will arrive tomorrow so i'll see where i'm at there. i think my skimmer should be able to handle the load. i almost wish it wouldnt so i'd have a really good reason to get that new bubble king cone skimmer!

i'll start taking pics today to document any coral color changes. if nothing else dosing vodka has to be a lot cheaper than GFO.

 

[rutz81]

I strated dosing Vodka about 5 days ago, I didn't want to stop my GFO until the bacteria populates enough to handle the removal of NO3 and PO4; how long should I wait until I remove it?

 

[DheereCrossing]

I would think when it all reads 0, take the GFO offline and test it again ina couple days. If the reading goes back up then it's not time to stop the GFO filtration.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14637937#post14637937 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DheereCrossing
I would think when it all reads 0, take the GFO offline and test it again ina couple days. If the reading goes back up then it's not time to stop the GFO filtration.

That sounds about right. I would also recommend to anyone dosing vodka that you pick up a bottle of bacteria to dose along with vodka. This way you reduce the chances of developing a mono culture of bacteria. I use three drops of Microbacter7 daily when dosing vodka.

 

[Leonardo_]

I have the same experiences as you have with the 2-part (Balling)

Do you noticed any development or increase/decrease in cyano when using Vodka?

Really like your setup, sometimes it makes me want to switch to full T5

Leonardo

 

[GSMguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14637926#post14637926 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rutz81
I strated dosing Vodka about 5 days ago, I didn't want to stop my GFO until the bacteria populates enough to handle the removal of NO3 and PO4; how long should I wait until I remove it?

Taking the GFO offline will give the bacteria a fighting chance, bacteria can multiply very quickly given the oportunity, also there's no harm in starting with a liberal bactera dosing schedule.

 

[macreefster]

would using differant brands of bacteria be of any benefit, or do any of the commercially available bacteria cultures have a sufficient blend of bacteria strains?

 

[stony_corals]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14632238#post14632238 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by volcom69
Both are on reef crest mode and both are about 75% or alittle less on speed. If i go anymore then this the water will splash out of the tank lol. These are my main source of waterflow plus my return, have a good bit of water flow. Everyone seems to like it except my green birdsnest it seems to get hit pretty good with water flow off the glass, but his polyps are still out.

Then you should have the vortechs deeper in your tank. I have two, both are on opposite sides of the tank (the short sides), and they are placed in the center of the tank. You'll get maximum benefit.....

 

[macreefster]

i have tried every possible configuration with my two vortechs on my 3' tank and have opted on having them on the same side, about 3-4 inches from the water surface. i run both on reefcrest, independantly.... one at about 80% the other at about 40%. if i place them much lower in the tank (my tank is only 20 inches deep) the sand gets blown all over. i did add a 1 inch rim of acrylic around the edge of the tank so not to have water spill over the edge.

heres a pic of the acrylic edge i added, it works great, but i no longer have a rimless tank..sigh.

 

[tatoofr]

Nice job marc, tank looks good.
Frank

 

[stony_corals]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14639112#post14639112 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by macreefster
i have tried every possible configuration with my two vortechs on my 3' tank and have opted on having them on the same side, about 3-4 inches from the water surface. i run both on reefcrest, independantly.... one at about 80% the other at about 40%. if i place them much lower in the tank (my tank is only 20 inches deep) the sand gets blown all over. i did add a 1 inch rim of acrylic around the edge of the tank so not to have water spill over the edge.

heres a pic of the acrylic edge i added, it works great, but i no longer have a rimless tank..sigh.

Ah, you are using the vortechs on acrylic?!? Nice setup! Makes sense...

 

[macreefster]

thanks stoney...actually the tank is glass, i just added a 1 inch rim of acrylic around the edge to keep the water from spillilng over the sides. when i installed the overflow i didnt have the vortechs and didnt allow for the amount of wave they create. i realize i could just turn the vortechs down, but the corals seem to love all that current.

 

[kaserpick]

It only takes me about 10 seconds to dose so I feel it would be waste full to buy a dosing pump.

Haha, I've already bought a litermeter for the job. I'm really glad to hear that it's working well for you. I dose twice a day now (tropic marin powders) and still fight Alk swings with kalkwasser ATO and 1450ppm Mg to help. Anyway, the corals haven't really shown any bad effects, but I'm worried. I think if they utilize the Ca+ and carbonates any faster, then I'll be in trouble. Thanks for the reply Sonny and taking the time to answer everyone!

 

[Reefer08]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14638069#post14638069 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
That sounds about right. I would also recommend to anyone dosing vodka that you pick up a bottle of bacteria to dose along with vodka. This way you reduce the chances of developing a mono culture of bacteria. I use three drops of Microbacter7 daily when dosing vodka.

Whats Microbacter7 do? So Vodka + Amino Acids isn't enough for Sps?

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14638472#post14638472 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Leonardo_
I have the same experiences as you have with the 2-part (Balling)

Do you noticed any development or increase/decrease in cyano when using Vodka?

Really like your setup, sometimes it makes me want to switch to full T5

Leonardo

Thanks Leonardo

Initially when I began dosing vodka I did have an issue with red cyano. I stopped dosing vodka for a week and then restarted vodka but now with a bacteria additive. Its been about two months now and the tank has no red cyano and is cleaner then ever.

I have been watching your thread and love what you have done. Keep up the good work. :thumbsup:

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14639112#post14639112 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by macreefster
i have tried every possible configuration with my two vortechs on my 3' tank and have opted on having them on the same side, about 3-4 inches from the water surface. i run both on reefcrest, independantly.... one at about 80% the other at about 40%. if i place them much lower in the tank (my tank is only 20 inches deep) the sand gets blown all over. i did add a 1 inch rim of acrylic around the edge of the tank so not to have water spill over the edge.

heres a pic of the acrylic edge i added, it works great, but i no longer have a rimless tank..sigh.

Your tank looks great man! :thumbsup: I love the way you placed the rock work out. It gives the tank a great sense of depth. Judging by your setup I don't think there is anything I could do to help make it beer.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14640985#post14640985 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reefer08
Whats Microbacter7 do? So Vodka + Amino Acids isn't enough for Sps?

Well, I have found better results by dosing all three, AA's,vodka, and bacteria. The addition of bacteria will introduce healthy and non-pathogenic bacteria. This way, the beneficial bacteria can out compete the bad bacteria such as red cyano.

The bacteria is pretty cheap and can be found at pretty much any LFS. a $12 bottle will last me about 6-8 months.

 

[SunnyX]

Ok guys and gals, I'm trying to upload some pictures but I am not happy in the way they turned out. I'm gonna play with my camera a little more and see what happens.

Ill be back shortly.

 

[SunnyX]

I don't know what is wrong with my camera. its getting late so unfortunately I wont have pics up until tomorrow.
Here one:

 

[tmantaylor18]

come on man! we need the pics tonight. lol