00W's AIO Smorgasbord

[steveschuerger]

Im listening to The "Tarkus" album by Emerson Lake and Palmer, tonight.

Good stuff. Earlier when I was putzing around the tank and doing the feeding I was listening to The Hu .

 

[kingranch2003]

Good stuff. Earlier when I was putzing around the tank and doing the feeding I was listening to The Hu .

That's good vibe music. Perfect for working on a project!

 

[That Crusso Kid]

Now for something a little different...

 

[code4]

I did a 5 gallon NSW swap today. Everything already looked great, but this shot of "Crack water" gave the corals and fish a boost of life!

This pic sux, but the dendros are always out now!

Thanks Steve! I haven't been posting as many pics since the Aiptasia-GHA Wars of 2026, but seeing you post often after your move has inspired me to do so. Things are looking better than ever as far as existing corals and the reef itself.

Wow they are looking great. And love your dendros. Are you trying to keep your nitrates, phosphate. alkalinity and others at certain numbers? I have had bad things happen when mine bottomed out.

 

[That Crusso Kid]

 

[code4]

Ya, mine is looking much better and I go some good advice on flow patterning from Adam at PetCo. He noted that my flow was really low and I’m working on that. I’m also trying to up the lights again, slowly. The big Goni is apparently not very happy where it is on the rock in front. If thing don’t change soon I’m going to try another spot , probably on the edge and on the sand.
I also ordered another batch of copepods from marketplace. Trying to get the biology of the tank more vibrant. Ice been adding the Microbacter 7 weekly as well and when I remember I add phyto nightly.
After almost 4 days I still have all my Peppermints so I’m assuming Mantis died before making trip to new location.

Sorry about the Mantis. Now we'll never know if you could have caught it! Thanks for sharing what is working in your tank. I won the dino battle but am just keeping algae and cyano at bay with dosing ammonium. If not my nitrates bottom out.

 

[code4]

This entire build is about not making the same mistakes as my first build haha.

I made new ones this time around. But learning. I think you are doing great.

 

[kingranch2003]

Wow they are looking great. And love your dendros. Are you trying to keep your nitrates, phosphate. alkalinity and others at certain numbers? I have had bad things happen when mine bottomed out.

Thanks Shelley!

Yep, Im broadcast feeding the corals a bit more to keep PO4 and N03 at appropriate levels. Im also about to start dosing ammonium bicarbonate and urea to feed the corals in nitrogen form. This will raise N03 a bit as needed and feed the corals more directly than having to depend on "dirty water" to support their health. The only reason to trouble oneself with nutritious water is to feed the corals. This approach (along with bacterial feeding) will give me the ability to give the nutrients to the corals and not the water.

 

[kingranch2003]

Sorry about the Mantis. Now we'll never know if you could have caught it! Thanks for sharing what is working in your tank. I won the dino battle but am just keeping algae and cyano at bay with dosing ammonium. If not my nitrates bottom out.

I beat cyano with this. It took about 10 days.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/micr...9jOLiqNFsjsUHhENzcDZaodOllPlGlCaOHwRbT1ndoY-s

Looking back, NSW would've probably taken care of it too.

 

[kingranch2003]

@code4 I used coral snow too. I would mix the two and let the snow soak up the bacteria. It eradicated that cyano for me. The snow collected all of it and just feed the bacteria to the corals.

 

[kingranch2003]

 

[code4]

October POTM is accepting submissions. Theme is “Spooky”
This is the one I posted

I must ask, just what is this beauty? And where can I get one?

Hey everyone. Just a quick hello before I hopefully go back to sleep for a while. Looks like my peppermints have been earning their keep. I don’t see any larger aiptasia in the tank today.

Fantastic!

I keep telling everyone about the peppermint shrimp !

I hear they must be true Peppermint shrimp and young ones. How does one know they are truly Peppermint Shrimp?

 

[code4]

Wow, I bet Red Cross is always knocking at your door!

Nope, I can't donate. Or I couldn't. First I didn't weigh enough. Then I was in Europe when there was tainted meat sold. Mad Cow. You'd think I would know by now!

 

[code4]

@code4 I used coral snow too. I would mix the two and let the snow soak up the bacteria. It eradicated that cyano for me. The snow collected all of it and just feed the bacteria to the corals.

Forgot about this. Will start tomorrow. Thanks

 

[steveschuerger]

I must ask, just what is this beauty? And where can I get one?

Fantastic!

I hear they must be true Peppermint shrimp and young ones. How does one know they are truly Peppermint Shrimp?

The taste.Lick them. If they taste like a starlite mint they’re proper peppermints.
Seriously though most of the peppermints sold are wurdmannii or boggesi. Those are safe. I got mine at PetCo .

 

[kingranch2003]

Forgot about this. Will start tomorrow. Thanks

Of course my friend! It was the beginning of a turning point for me. I still use it, even though the cyano is long gone.

 

[kingranch2003]

The taste.Lick them. If they taste like a starlite mint they’re proper peppermints.
Seriously though most of the peppermints sold are wurdmannii or boggesi. Those are safe. I got mine at PetCo .

I've learned that Petco is an excellent source for true pepps.

 

[steveschuerger]

I've learned that Petco is an excellent source for true pepps.

It’s still hit or miss. There are 3 PetCo in uber range and I go to the farthest due to the other 2 not having good saltwater sections. By the way PetCo sells the water I’ve been using although for a few more dollars.

 

[steveschuerger]

Anyone see the Kansas City chiefs game tonight ?

Yes.Not til the end though. Final score?

 

[code4]

Never tried. You can be the one to let me know your thoughts.

I was thinking the same thing. And @kingranch2003 is just getting his tank looking great again