Which change brought success

[BuckeyeTodd]

So, like many many reefers I struggled with acros. Couldn't get polyp extension or growth, and some stn'd. About six months ago this changed. Everything started growing and polyping out. So here are the changes that I made

1. Started night feeding of acros couple times a week
2. Raised temp from 77 to 79
3. Changed Skimmer to Bubble Magus that consistently produces

I'm of the opinion that the change that helped the most was feeding acros. I was tutored by some who feel that corals don't need fed, just leads to build up of nutrients leading to nitrates, algae, etc. But, I think my experience was that this was the major change...what do you think?

 

[ataller]

Vsv dosing was the single most influential change in terms of my reef.

 

[SDguy]

Vodka dosing was my single most successful change.

 

[Alex T.]

Actually, for me it's almost just the opposite. Not changing anything and resisting the next hot trend is what got my reef going after some setbacks.

1. Treat every parameter as equally important to have a system in balance.
2. Only keeping the fish I can feed well and still maintain SPS water quality
3. Treat maintenance as a necessary and routine part of the hobby instead of a chore.
4. Running a system that not only works well but that I thoroughly understand.

But most importantly, I find that knowing my limits was the hardest of all lessons.

 

[BuckeyeTodd]

Vodka dosing was my single most successful change.

Have been considering carbon dosing, but my thinking has been if it ain't broke don't fix it. What specifically would you say the biggest benefit would be for a person like me that is getting average growth and good polyp extension?

 

[SDguy]

Have been considering carbon dosing, but my thinking has been if it ain't broke don't fix it. What specifically would you say the biggest benefit would be for a person like me that is getting average growth and good polyp extension?

My SPS went to crap after adding LOTS of fish. Prior to that things grew and looked great. I had a very specific problem, which vodka dosing targeted also very specifically. I had a powerful Beckett skimmer, so it was a perfect choice for me to start dosing. Unless you can ID your problem, I don't usually recommend dosing as a go-to magic solution.

 

[ryanrid]

changing to my lucky underpants helped me the most. :celeb1:

 

[Dustin1300]

Good husbandry and consistent maintenance Automation of my water changes, top off, and dosing have helped free up time to be more proactive in my husbandry!

 

[sweet ride]

feeding your acro's directly or indirectly and then exporting the extra nutrient with a good skimmer is what did it for you. the reason i can say this is because am in the same boat as you are, i feed my fish 3 times a day and feed the corals directly 2 twice a week and then export the extra nutrient with a good skimmer.

 

[OneReef]

feeding your acro's directly or indirectly and then exporting the extra nutrient with a good skimmer is what did it for you. the reason i can say this is because am in the same boat as you are, i feed my fish 3 times a day and feed the corals directly 2 twice a week and then export the extra nutrient with a good skimmer.

I agree. Thanks for saving me the typing...lol

 

[denash24]

OK so what do you guys feed your corals and are you target feeding, please be detailed about your specific routine.

 

[StarF]

heavy feeding my 24 anthias 4-5 times a day, usaly keeps my sps happy

 

[Logzor]

Checking and correcting my salinity on a regular basis. It's amazing how fast it gets off track when you're dosing a huge amount of calcium/magnesium in a small system (lots of stony corals).

 

[pimp2daizzo]

Actually, for me it's almost just the opposite. Not changing anything and resisting the next hot trend is what got my reef going after some setbacks.

1. Treat every parameter as equally important to have a system in balance.
2. Only keeping the fish I can feed well and still maintain SPS water quality
3. Treat maintenance as a necessary and routine part of the hobby instead of a chore.
4. Running a system that not only works well but that I thoroughly understand.

But most importantly, I find that knowing my limits was the hardest of all lessons.

+1 that's what did it for me in growth

 

[tinmanhouston]

I always had good PE but slow growth until I lowered my light and increased my flow. My acros started to color up and growth rate increased. I think the some of the most important factor for are stable water parameters and good husbandry.

 

[BuckeyeTodd]

feeding your acro's directly or indirectly and then exporting the extra nutrient with a good skimmer is what did it for you. the reason i can say this is because am in the same boat as you are, i feed my fish 3 times a day and feed the corals directly 2 twice a week and then export the extra nutrient with a good skimmer.

makes good sense to me, thank you....as to the people that stated stability was the key I was regimented in my practices(and still am, weekly maintenence, water changes, etc) but I wasn't getting desired results so I tried to modify system.

I am now finally happy with the way tank looks, but am always looking for ways to improve. I am currently considering dosing supplements or carbon dosing to improve color(currently 10% bi-weekly water change, and kalk topoff is all I am doing). Anyone ever in the same boat I am, and what worked for you?

 

[chessmanmark]

For me, I noticed the rate of growth increase after I rebuilt my tank. The changes that contributed to success in my tank were, going bare bottom, adding a calcium reactor, changing to Lumen Bright reflectors. I also took out most of my softies. I kept some pom pom xenia, mushrooms, and clove polyps.

 

[chris88]

I feed my sps coral frenzy and rotifers once a week directly and i broadcast feed the tank once or twice a week with seachem reef plus and plankton.

 

[Bonvivant]

I have found that VSV; heavy feeding; Supersized skimmer (BK 180); many fish (9 in a 50); and absolutely stable temp have brought a bit of success to my tank. I also think that a controller is a must for keeping things nice and stable for someone with a busy lifestyle.

 

[allsps40]

Buckeye I was having similar thoughts as you. All my parameter are well in check, grow is good but color could improve. I thought vodka dosed tanks have great color I will try a ULNS. It did not work out for me. Phosphates in my tank are low .024 ppm and nitrates are 0 ppm. My fuge and skimmer seem to take care of things very well. After vodka dosing for a while and see no real improvements I stopped. But I have keep up the heavier feeding and phos and nitrate still staying the same. So I think feeding more has been a good thing for my tank. That and not dosing any but alk and ca and only when needed, water changes can take care of the rest.