Tuffloud1
New member
Hello,
I have had my tank up and running for about 11 months now.
I started with reef saver rock, have used my own RO DI water from the beginning.
Here is a break down of what I am running.
90 gallon corner overflow
2 AI Hydras
Jebao DC-9000 on full blast (GFO and carbon reactors running inline)
GFO
Carbon
Filter socks changed out every 2-4 days
2 WP-25s
1 WP-10
Vertex Omega 180i Skimmer (skimming wet)
Temp 77.5 - 78
PH 8.05 - 8.2 (dosed Alk at night brings it up to 8.2 then drops during day)
Calcium 425 (stays solid)
Alkalinity 8.5 - 9.1 (usually stays very solid)
Salinity 1.025 (stays solid)
Nitrate 0
Phosphate 0
The problem I am having is with color.
I really am having a hard time understanding the differences in opinions out there. I see numerous "tanks of the month" where these amazing SPS tanks have owners stating that they "keep nitrates and phosphates at 0 for great color", yet the advice I am receiving is the polar opposite - "your colors are horrible because you need to up your nitrate".
So when people say "more nutrients", do they mean "more nitrates", more "phosphates", "more feeding", MORE WHAT!
I am failing to understand why nitrates would help SPS, it is my understanding that "nutrients" are simply bio-available food that you freshly put in the tank. The building of nitrates is the end result of the nitrogen cycle, not really sure why we would want to build that up in a tank.
I've had others tell me, you need to "find a balance" with nitrate and phosphate - if there is more phosphate than nitrate (even if both levels are reading 0), then algae will build up. So by raising nitrates up, it will keep algae in check as long as phosphate is lower than the nitrate. This information is from my LFS.
Anyway, I would really appreciate an expert SPS hobbyists advice on what they think is going on in the pictures with the growth and lack of coloration.
I attached some before and after pictures of when I placed them in the tank new a few months ago and now.
The pictures are horrible, I apologize, but you can see how color is faded/terrible, however the frags are still encrusting and growing. All the polyps are only coming out at night.
Some of the pictures make the the frags seem completely white, however they are not THAT bad as in the picture, the LED's really make it difficult to take pictures.
I was extremely conservative in my feeding, using Reef Chili once a week, and feeding my fish 2 times a day with selcon soaked mysis and pellets.
Fish are - Goldhead Sleeper Goby, Flame Angel, Fire Fish, Anthias, Lawnmower Blenny, Royal Gramma.
Any help, advice would be much appreciated, thank you for your time.
I have had my tank up and running for about 11 months now.
I started with reef saver rock, have used my own RO DI water from the beginning.
Here is a break down of what I am running.
90 gallon corner overflow
2 AI Hydras
Jebao DC-9000 on full blast (GFO and carbon reactors running inline)
GFO
Carbon
Filter socks changed out every 2-4 days
2 WP-25s
1 WP-10
Vertex Omega 180i Skimmer (skimming wet)
Temp 77.5 - 78
PH 8.05 - 8.2 (dosed Alk at night brings it up to 8.2 then drops during day)
Calcium 425 (stays solid)
Alkalinity 8.5 - 9.1 (usually stays very solid)
Salinity 1.025 (stays solid)
Nitrate 0
Phosphate 0
The problem I am having is with color.
I really am having a hard time understanding the differences in opinions out there. I see numerous "tanks of the month" where these amazing SPS tanks have owners stating that they "keep nitrates and phosphates at 0 for great color", yet the advice I am receiving is the polar opposite - "your colors are horrible because you need to up your nitrate".
So when people say "more nutrients", do they mean "more nitrates", more "phosphates", "more feeding", MORE WHAT!
I am failing to understand why nitrates would help SPS, it is my understanding that "nutrients" are simply bio-available food that you freshly put in the tank. The building of nitrates is the end result of the nitrogen cycle, not really sure why we would want to build that up in a tank.
I've had others tell me, you need to "find a balance" with nitrate and phosphate - if there is more phosphate than nitrate (even if both levels are reading 0), then algae will build up. So by raising nitrates up, it will keep algae in check as long as phosphate is lower than the nitrate. This information is from my LFS.
Anyway, I would really appreciate an expert SPS hobbyists advice on what they think is going on in the pictures with the growth and lack of coloration.
I attached some before and after pictures of when I placed them in the tank new a few months ago and now.
The pictures are horrible, I apologize, but you can see how color is faded/terrible, however the frags are still encrusting and growing. All the polyps are only coming out at night.
Some of the pictures make the the frags seem completely white, however they are not THAT bad as in the picture, the LED's really make it difficult to take pictures.
I was extremely conservative in my feeding, using Reef Chili once a week, and feeding my fish 2 times a day with selcon soaked mysis and pellets.
Fish are - Goldhead Sleeper Goby, Flame Angel, Fire Fish, Anthias, Lawnmower Blenny, Royal Gramma.
Any help, advice would be much appreciated, thank you for your time.