00W's AIO Smorgasbord

[kevgib67]

That's the plan.

If they were regular zaos I would have said just glue over them but with strats that would be blasphemy.

 

[Üter]

If I can support one, I bet you'll have no trouble supporting one! I didn't know BTAs or anemones in general were considered for 'mature tanks' only, and I got one the first week when I started out back in Feb in my hexagon of hell tank. His name is Steve. He's now survived two three-ish tank cycles and a move!

I tried one in my biocube early on and it just "disappeared". Never really knew but would expect the wave and never saw signs. tried another and it just didn't look good after a couple months and kept deteriorating till I pulled it.

 

[Rocks reef]

I’m close to Amish country, took classes and churned that stick myself! :winking-face:

All you need now brother is a Shake Weight!

 

[Rocks reef]

I dose iodine once a week ( from RedSea Trace Elements )

I do a drop of iodine maybe every two weeks. Just one single drop...

 

[Rocks reef]

If I can support one, I bet you'll have no trouble supporting one! I didn't know BTAs or anemones in general were considered for 'mature tanks' only, and I got one the first week when I started out back in Feb in my hexagon of hell tank. His name is Steve. He's now survived two three-ish tank cycles and a move!

I think the "mature tank" only is a reefing tale. It has more to do with stable parameters. Most 'new' tanks have unstable parameters for a little while unless they are cycled right.

 

[kingranch2003]

Not saying it's not important sir. I do believe in what he advocates. He is simply saying that testing is not necessary since the tests are so inaccurate is all.
This specifically.... "ANY time that you add calcium, add 5-10% as much magnesium (so for 10 ppm calcium, add 0.5 - 1 ppm magnesium). If coralline is the main user of alk in your tank, use the 10%, if corals are, use 5%. A lot of products, like commercial two parts, AFR, CaCO3/CO2 reactors with suitable media, and my DIY two part systems all add magnesium for you, without measurement."

At the end he says mag levels aren't that important. I just flat out disagree with RHF on this. I've had in depth conversations with very reputable coral growers that have proven to me that corals (especially euphyllia) do well with higher mag levels, and suggest a positive influence on nuisance algae. I believe he may be right for a science class, but not necessarily an aquarium. Mag has to be a readable, testable element or we wouldn't have proportions to compare it to. Why would anyone be inclined to add it at 5-10% per 10ppm calcium if it isn't able to be measured or quantified. This is one article by one person written a couple years ago. I just don't see the proof here to base all my thoughts on mag off of it. But at the end of the day, I also went to public school and thought the word "until" had two "L"'s in it forever.

 

[kevgib67]

All you need now brother is a Shake Weight!

 

[tbrown]

That's not a bad thing TBH. You can cut them off and sell them.

If I could sell them, yeah...

 

[kingranch2003]

I will throw my $0.02 in as well.

Some of you may remember I was having "droopy" SPS where my Montis, Birdsnest, and Anacropora were growing new growth with no skeleton?

Anyway, I tested and found my magnesium and calcium were low - mag was under 1000, calcium was like 290. Alkalinity and Phosphates were both up (10.4 alk, .83 phosphates) so growth was being encouraged. I brought the magnesium up to 1600 and calcium up to 420 and now my SPS are encrusting like crazy and my Birdsnest is working and branching like never before. Magnesium is at it's highest in a long time, calcium and alkalinity are at my normal running levels.

IME, magnesium at lower levels causes fatter growth rims/tips and slower growth, higher magnesium makes more branches and faster growth but more delicate features.

Wow that is fascinating Tim. Tim, would you mind sharing the testing method you use, and how often you dose?

 

[tbrown]

At the end he says mag levels aren't that important. I just flat out disagree with RHF on this. I've had in depth conversations with very reputable coral growers that have proven to me that corals (especially euphyllia) do well with higher mag levels, and suggest a positive influence on nuisance algae. I believe he may be right for a science class, but not necessarily an aquarium. Mag has to be a readable, testable element or we wouldn't have proportions to compare it to. Why would anyone be inclined to add it at 5-10% per 10ppm calcium if it isn't able to be measured or quantified. This is one article by one person written a couple years ago. I just don't see the proof here to base all my thoughts on mag off of it. But at the end of the day, I also went to public school and thought the word "until" had two "L"'s in it forever.

The ratio is the "known" uptake for alkalinity to calcium to magnesium. If you're using x mg/L of alkalinity daily, then based on the ratio you should be using y mg/L of calcium and z mg/L of magnesium.

 

[tbrown]

Wow that is fascinating Tim. Tim, would you mind sharing the testing method you use, and how often you dose?

I use Salifert.

 

[kingranch2003]

I understand that, but even with inaccurate tests my magnesium tested very similar to what my ICP said...

Mine too. The api tests were even extremely close to icp, which was a surprise

 

[Anna K]

Well now I don't feel bad for having high mag

 

[Calmwaters]

I am glad you are feeling better Amanda!

Thank you!

 

[kingranch2003]

The ratio is the "known" uptake for alkalinity to calcium to magnesium. If you're using x mg/L of alkalinity daily, then based on the ratio you should be using y mg/L of calcium and z mg/L of magnesium.

I agree with you, and this is partly why I disagree about testing being innacurate. I contend that if we can supplement the value of a variable into an equation, it has to be quantifiable, therefore can be measured.

 

[kingranch2003]

New additions. The lights were almost out, so the pics are aren't the greatest. Plus I was in a hurry to take them before lights out. I had a busy day yesterday. Got the boat out of storage, did spring maintenance then had to take it out since it was 80 and sunny. I did the maintenance while waiting for the torches to be dropped off. As soon as they arrived. I dipped them and put them on the rack. Fired up the truck and hit the lake!
I need to do some arranging as my euphyllia collection is growing and the tank is not. Lol.
The new tank should be here soon.
First pic is banana grail next to highlighter holy grail. The highlighter is neon yellow, the banana is a bold yellow if that makes sense.
Second pic is a master torch. Some tentacles are yellow, some green, some mixed, some striped.
Third pic, which is fuzzy and crappy, is a solid green torch. The green on it is unlike anything I've seen. It's jade green in person.
I'll get better pics when the lights are on when I get home.

The grail is obviously amazing and a centerpiece. But I've never seen green torches like that. Completely amazing

 

[kevgib67]

If I could sell them, yeah...

Really, they are strats?

 

[kingranch2003]

Well now I don't feel bad for having high mag

What is it testing at?

 

[Anna K]

What is it testing at?

1530 today lol

 

[kevgib67]

Well now I don't feel bad for having high mag

Teach me, I struggle to keep mine up even with dosing!