Bif's SPS Reef

[bif24701]

 

[bif24701]

 

[bif24701]

 

[bif24701]

Just harvested 5 gallons of cheato......

 

[ikolbaba06]

Hey Bif, what settings are you using for the ap700 now? Also, I thought I read you are carbon dosing or just using carbon for filtration?

 

[bif24701]

Hey Bif, what settings are you using for the ap700 now? Also, I thought I read you are carbon dosing or just using carbon for filtration?

I do carbon dosing. I add about two cups of vinegar to my 32 gallon Kalk container. I also have a BRS 1.1ml doser that adds a vinegar/sugar mix as well.

I also run BRS ROX 0.8 carbon about every 2-3 weeks.

Here is my current Kessil AP700 program

 

[bif24701]

10 month video update. I am pleased with this so far but need lots more acro, LOL.

 

[ikolbaba06]

70% scary! Haha. I will be increasing my intensity up about 1-2% every week now that I have my tank under better conditions. Nopox dosing really screwed my tank up and so I restarted and let nutrients get back up and colors are much better. Plus I never understood the alk burn corals can get by slightly increasing alk past 8 while ulns. I feel horrible as it took me awhile to figure it out. Lots of acros lost due to zero nutrients. I guess you live and learn.

 

[ikolbaba06]

Also I guess your t5 keep the blue color heavy since I keep line at 1 wedge below halfway. The ap700 is the o l light I have on the tank.

 

[ikolbaba06]

Only light. Awesome autocorrect.

 

[bif24701]

70% scary! Haha. I will be increasing my intensity up about 1-2% every week now that I have my tank under better conditions. Nopox dosing really screwed my tank up and so I restarted and let nutrients get back up and colors are much better. Plus I never understood the alk burn corals can get by slightly increasing alk past 8 while ulns. I feel horrible as it took me awhile to figure it out. Lots of acros lost due to zero nutrients. I guess you live and learn.

I also struggled with lower nutrients in the first 4-5 months. Since about January I have seen significant growth and color improvement. I no long worry for chasing low NO3 or PO4. With the high 400-600 PAR I achieve with the AP700+T5s nutrients are very important! I do dose a mixture of vinegar and sugar but only to assist my nutrient number and skimmer performance. I test NO3 and PO4 just to ensure i done reach zero or get way out of control. But with 35% water changes every two weeks or more I don't have that problem. I also run a large 40 gallon refugium with a high intensity light.

70% is very high for my spacing and mounting height. It took a while (months) to reach this level but my corals have adjusted and do well.

I have a Spath Acro, one of the most difficult to keep corals and it doing well with I contribute to my higher par they need and flow I have.

As you can see it's encrusting with good PE. I am sure the colors will return as it grows and adjusts.

 

[ikolbaba06]

Looking good! I'm sure I will be hitting the point with higher nutrients and will be pushing my ap700 higher. Love to see the growth on acros. Makes me feel good all over.

 

[bif24701]

Looking good! I'm sure I will be hitting the point with higher nutrients and will be pushing my ap700 higher. Love to see the growth on acros. Makes me feel good all over.

Oh yea! Me too.

Take a look here. I think this is red planet

June 8th

July 30th

Growth much? Lol.

I'm no pro, but since I've given up the ULNS I've had a much better time with the hobby.

 

[bif24701]

Triton Labs vs ICP-Analysis

I collected and sent both samples for Triton and ICP at the same time. Will post results and compare.

 

[CoralWealth]

interested to see the results between the two.

 

[bif24701]

Oh yea! Me too.

Take a look here. I think this is red planet

June 8th

July 30th

Growth much? Lol.

I'm no pro, but since I've given up the ULNS I've had a much better time with the hobby.

Today

 

[bif24701]

Bristle worms are spawning in my 180 right now!!!

 

[ikolbaba06]

Also nice growth on that Red Planet. Mine is starting to finally base out again, a nice green base with red polyps for now.

 

[bif24701]

Also nice growth on that Red Planet. Mine is starting to finally base out again, a nice green base with red polyps for now.

My photos look terrible when I post them. I post mine direct to TapaTalk, would using Photobucket increase photo quality?

 

[Scorpius]

You have to pay to use Photobucket now.