SPS Dominated 47G Reef

[cheezybuda]

Not terribly bad. Thanks for asking.

The tank is simply on auto pilot. Has been for around two months. I havent done a water change nor scraped the back glass...which is now full of coralline algae. I just feed the fish, keep topup container topped up and make sure the Alk, Ca and Mg containers are not going empty (that failed one or twice).

- Had Alk dive down to 5 once and below 5 another time! :eek2: First time no effects, but 2nd time it happened I had tiny (less than 3mm) sized tissue loss on one of two pieces. But overall have been VERY lucky.

Corals are doing well considering. Colours on some pieces I would now class as GREAT. Others AVERAGE and a small number as TURDS.

I am having a couple of buddies come over in two weeks to help me with water changes etc. Going to use this get together to make a few bottles of my Alk solution as well so that I can switch out as soon as it starts to run out.

I am trying to tweak the system to get those turds to colour up by adding bacterial supplements...Richard (Jackson6745) uses a trio of bacteria and is having excellent results on a 5 month old tank, so since I also had that kind of success a few years ago when dosing a combo of Zeobac, Biodigest and Special Blend, I ordered in Special Blend, Biodigest and Nite-out II, to try and replicate the same results I was having previously.

Glad you aren't "terribly bad"
I understand the turds! In my case, the turds turn white rather than browning out. I'm just coming off a Ca swing myself. Finally getting some color out of my pink lemonade but afraid to move my Hawkins up from the sand bed. I'd be curious to see what bacteria are in each of those products...if they are the same or if each company has a bunch of specialty bugs.
Let me know how it works!

 

[sahin]

I can feel you with the hand dosing of two part sahin!
Was doing the same thing every single night,but with kalk buddy!
For 1+ year!!
At that point it's hard to tell if that was love-commitment to my tank or something else...:hmm4::hmm4::lol:

I actually used to drip dose Kalk as well, but that was more to keep the pH up more than anything. I used to prepare it each evening after dinner and then set the drip. That was my 90G tank...man that tank was very successful without even me trying much. Mind you I had a 250w halide with T5's over it. But yeah it was love-like commitment. :lol: That time I was single too... :lol:

 

[sahin]

Could you elaborate on the use of multiple bacteria sources at the same time?


Do you dose them all everyday, or rotate them on different days/weeks?


Do you dose the recommended amount of each bacteria product when you do dose, or do you cut the dose down to compensate for it not being the sole bacteria product dosed to the tank?

Any other info on the process you use as you dose multiple bacteria sources simultaneously would be appreciated. Thanks.

In the past I dosed according to the package instructions...this is the same way Richard doses.

As follows:

1. Biodigest: one ampule every two weeks.
2. Special Blend: Every other week.
3. Nite Out II: After each water change.

I already had Biodigest and in the past whenever I used it, it helped. So that I've been dosing a few weeks now. I dosed 1 ampule every day for 2 days initially, and how follow the 2 week dosage guideline.

With the other two I am dosing once a week at half the dosage. I havent done a water change in around 2 months...been ill...so I cant follow the dosage guideline, hence I am dosing half of each once a week.

Dose it work? I cannot say for sure. What I mean is that unless we carry out controlled experiments, we arent sure if any of these products we add to the tank is working or not.

However, I really do believe in good old liverock and biological filtration. Years back I had better success with SPS and I attribute that to excellent Liverock we used to be able to buy (and Halides).

These days most of the liverock I see in my LFS is either mostly dead rock with very little life on it or from customer breakdowns...the the dummies claim its fresh Fiji stuff and sell at £18 per kilo...BUT fail to remove the bits of reefputty still on the rocks...:headwally: :angryfire:

So, in a way I am trying to make up for a lack of good rocks. I've never had any negative effects. But at the same time, the addition of the extra bacteria might really be having no effects at all.

If I see positive results in a month or two I will definitely let you know.

 

[sahin]

Excellent advice wrt basic bacterial dosing, Sahin & Richard :thumbsup:

The thing is, there are many reefkeepers whom I really respect and I know that they know their stuff (eg Randy) who say that additions of bacteria doesnt really do much and the added bacteria are simply outcompeted by the resident bacteria on the rocks...however, no one can deny that even when starting out with a PURE liverock tank, the ZEOVIT system (with Zeobac, Zeolite and a foods source) in the right hands can completely transform a tank.

 

[sahin]

Glad you aren't "terribly bad"
I understand the turds! In my case, the turds turn white rather than browning out. I'm just coming off a Ca swing myself. Finally getting some color out of my pink lemonade but afraid to move my Hawkins up from the sand bed. I'd be curious to see what bacteria are in each of those products...if they are the same or if each company has a bunch of specialty bugs.
Let me know how it works!

Will defintiely update you on how its working out. Have a look at Richards tank. His tank looks AWESOME for a 5month old tank. :eek2:

 

[ryanrid]

where are the pictures buddy

 

[sahin]

where are the pictures buddy

I havent posted any pics or video as I wanted to as I have been unwell mate. Just recently found out I have a Tumour hence things havent been too well for me lately.

I've asked a couple of buddies to come over in a few weeks time; at which point they will help me do a water change on the tank (none done for nearly 2 months I think). One of them has a cool underwater camera as well. I will also take some pics at that point. Just been feeling crappy lately.

Thanks for dropping in on my thread though, sorry about the lack of pics. Hopefully that will change soon.

 

[Fail_sh3d]

I havent posted any pics or video as I wanted to as I have been unwell mate. Just recently found out I have a Tumour hence things havent been too well for me lately.

I've asked a couple of buddies to come over in a few weeks time; at which point they will help me do a water change on the tank (none done for nearly 2 months I think). One of them has a cool underwater camera as well. I will also take some pics at that point. Just been feeling crappy lately.

Thanks for dropping in on my thread though, sorry about the lack of pics. Hopefully that will change soon.

Crap... I hope everything goes well. My thoughts are with you, buddy.

 

[cmaxwell39]

Sorry to hear about your health problems. My thoughts and prayers are with you. You can get the pictures later and maintenance can be done on the tank later as well. Just focus on getting well.

Very cool that you have friends who are willing to come over and help you out. If they get some pics that would just be a bonus.

 

[westreef]

Sahin, hope everything goes well with you. Most important is your health. Nothing else matters. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Get well soon.

 

[shih87]

Sorry to hear that, Sahin, and sincerely hope to hear good news from you soon.

 

[jackson6745]

If we didn't live so far apart I would certainly give you a hand in maintaing your reef. I'd probably also sneak a photo as well Health first, colors second , although every time that I have been injured/hospitalized I spent more time than usual on my tank. I want to see you feeling better very soon!

 

[glaukos]

Thoughts and prayers with you buddy!
I wish everything will change for the better in the next months:thumbsup:
Don't lose your courage:beer:

 

[tripdad]

Hope your health returns stronger than ever, sorry to hear about the news.

 

[sahin]

Sahin, hope everything goes well with you. Most important is your health. Nothing else matters. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Get well soon.

Sorry to hear that, Sahin, and sincerely hope to hear good news from you soon.

Thoughts and prayers with you buddy!
I wish everything will change for the better in the next months:thumbsup:
Don't lose your courage:beer:

Hope your health returns stronger than ever, sorry to hear about the news.

Thanks guys. Things are tough...but I am going to overcome this. Life is like this something I guess...the unexpected comes and hits you hard...but you must carry on. And that I shall. Not going to let me family down or my tank.

If we didn't live so far apart I would certainly give you a hand in maintaing your reef. I'd probably also sneak a photo as well Health first, colors second , although every time that I have been injured/hospitalized I spent more time than usual on my tank. I want to see you feeling better very soon!

Thanks man. I do take care of the tank, but so far have only done the absolute required. The meds leave me pretty worn out though. :hmm4:

Plan to turn things around in the coming few weeks.

 

[ryanrid]

I havent posted any pics or video as I wanted to as I have been unwell mate. Just recently found out I have a Tumour hence things havent been too well for me lately.

I've asked a couple of buddies to come over in a few weeks time; at which point they will help me do a water change on the tank (none done for nearly 2 months I think). One of them has a cool underwater camera as well. I will also take some pics at that point. Just been feeling crappy lately.

Thanks for dropping in on my thread though, sorry about the lack of pics. Hopefully that will change soon.

Sorry to hear that, keep your spirits up we all enjoy your input on here.

 

[dowtish]

sahin- sorry to hear of your health issues. you are one of the most supportive and kind individuals on this forum. that alone tells me that you are an awesome person and I am hoping for the best for you.

 

[Bello]

sahin- sorry to hear of your health issues. you are one of the most supportive and kind individuals on this forum. that alone tells me that you are an awesome person and I am hoping for the best for you.

+1000
Well said dowtish..... you have my prayers Sahin

 

[kaserpick]

+1000
Well said dowtish..... you have my prayers Sahin

Same here, Sahin! My prayers are with you.

 

[DiscusHeckel]

I am sorry to hear about your health problem. I wish you a speedy recovery mate. Please keep thinking positively.