Budget Beginnings

[Euphylliaphyle]

2/16/26 Parameters Update:

○ Phosphate: 0.34 ppm (-0.09/2D; 8d into 1st half-dose RowaPhos, plus new Fluval phosphate sponge on 2/8/26; 3d since adding red macro on 2/13/26 evening)
(target: 0.06-0.3 ppm)
per Hanna Checker

Re-calculated needed RowaPhos for 2nd half-dose (33 gal, .34 ppm current, .20 ppm desired) = 2 tbsp for reactor (x2 for bag). Added 2 tbsp in bag in cannister filter (=1/2 dose). Re-check in 4d.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

● Transitioned to AFR 2/1/2026
● Decreased AFR dosing from 5 ml to 3 ml starting 2/8/2026, from 3 ml to 2 ml starting 2/15/2026.
● Tests are post-today's AFR dosing.
● Dosed 50 ml/d for 4d RHF Part 3, Recipe 1 +Mg (Epsom salt solution) from 2/15 - 2/18/2026

○ Ca: 460 ppm (-10/6d)
(target: 400-450 ppm)
per Salifert titration
○ Alk: 8.3 dKH (-2.4/6d)
(target: 8-12 dkH)
per Salifert titration
○ Mg: 1,320 ppm (+45/6d)
per Salifert titration
○ pH: 7.8 (-0.1/6d)
(target: 8.1-8.4)
per API colorimetric
○ Salinity: 1.0264 SpG/ 35.2 ppt
(target: 35 ppt)
per TropicMarin hydrometer/&
Weber digital therm.
(Topped off w/ RO/DI last night)
○ Temperature: 77.8°F
(target: 73-84°F)
per Weber digital therm.
○ Nitrate: 34.6 ppm (-1.0/18D)
(target: 5-50 ppm*)
per Hanna Checker
○ Phosphate: 0.19 ppm (-0.15/4D)
(target: 0.06-0.3 ppm)
per Hanna Checker
Pulled RowaPhos, Fluval
phosphate sponge and
carbon from cannister filter.
Added fresh BRS Rox 0.8
carbon (1-1/2 tbsp.)
Added Dragon's Breath red
macro (handful) to main tank
night of 2/13/2026.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

2/27/2026 Test Log

● Transitioned to AFR 2/1/2026
● Decreased AFR dosing from 5 ml to 3 ml starting 2/8/2026, from 3 ml to 2 ml starting 2/15/2026. Increased to 2.5 ml starting 2/21/2026.
● Tests are post-today's AFR dosing.
● Dosed 50 ml/d for 4d RHF
Part 3, Recipe 1 +Mg (Epsom
salt sol.) on 2/15 - 2/18/2026

○ Ca: 450 ppm (-10/7d)
(target: 400-450 ppm)
per Salifert titration
○ Alk: 8.6 dKH (+0.3/7d)
(target: 8-12 dkH)
per Salifert titration
○ Mg: 1,330 ppm (+10/7d)
per Salifert titration
○ pH: 7.8 (nc/7d)
(target: 8.1-8.4)
per API colorimetric
○ Salinity: 1.0264 SpG/ 35.1 ppt
(target: 35 ppt)
per TropicMarin hydrometer/&
Weber digital therm.
○ Temperature: 77.4°F
(target: 73-84°F)
per Weber digital therm.
○ Nitrate: 31.0 ppm (-3.6/7d)
(target: 5-50 ppm*)
per Hanna Checker
○ Phosphate: 0.30 ppm (+0.11/7d)
(target: 0.06-0.3 ppm)
per Hanna Checker

* Continue dosing 2.5 ml AFR/day.

* Re-insert RowaPhos + Rox 0.8 carbon bag in canister filter.

* Add aeration via Grow Greenie prototype 200 gph aerator to help pH.

* Added Lawnmower Blenny 2/25/2026 to help algae problem.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

This is Jack Blenny.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

The Grow Greenie prototype 200 gph aerator is installed to help pH. It visually overwhelms the tank, so I decided to turn the air inlet valve off. I'll turn it on after lights-out, when I'm most concerned with my pH anyway.

This thing would be great in a sump behind a bubble trap.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

I ran a simple test on my new aerator prototype: consecutive nights, one with air valve shut off (water flow through the venturi all the way on), another with it both flow and air wide-open. No difference in pre-dawn pH (7.9).
I need to repeat the test after I run an air tube from outside. I suspect that the additional surface area for gas exchange due to the bubbles isn't helping because of ambient indoor CO2 levels.
The unit does produce a copious amount of bubbles, though.

Friday, March 6, 2026 test results:
● Dosing 2.5 ml/day AFR starting 2/21/2026.
● Tests are post-today's AFR dosing.
● Phosphate tested before a.m. feeding.

○ Ca: 460 ppm (+10/7d)
(target: 400-450 ppm)
per Salifert titration
○ Alk: 8.7 dKH (+0.1/7d)
(target: 8-12 dkH)
per Salifert titration
○ Mg: 1,335 ppm (+5/7d)
(target: 1,250-1,400 ppm)
per Salifert titration
* Stay with 2.5 ml/d AFR.
○ pH: 7.9
(target: 8.1-8.4)
per API colorimetric
○ Salinity: 1.0261 SpG/34.8 ppt
(target: 35 ppt)
per TropicMarin hydrometer
○ Temperature: 77.7°F
(target: 73-84°F)
per Weber digital therm.
○ Ammonia: ppm (not tested)
(target: 0 ppm)
per API colorimetric
○ Nitrite: ppm (not tested)
(target: 0 ppm)
per API colorimetric
○ Nitrate: ppm (not tested)
(target: 5-50 ppm*)
per Hanna Checker
○ Phosphate: 0.41 ppm (+0.11/7d)
(target: 0.06-0.3 ppm)
per Hanna Checker
* Add back the second used but unexhausted bag of RowaPhos.
* Add back the slightly used Fluval phosphate sponge.
* Re-test in one week.

Removed my rock with Gonis attached into a bucket of freshly-removed tank water for a good algae brushing, then returned the rock to the same spot in the tank. This ticked off the Gonis to no end. I expect it will be 4 or 5 days before I see their polyps again. I then completed the scheduled 5-gallon water change.

Here is the latest FTS, 3/9/2026:

I'm happy to see abundant coraline algae, even if just on the side of my skimmer:

I think my urchin may be munching on it elsewhere but hasn't discovered this trove yet.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

I like this view of my urchin on the glass, eating:

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

I liked my urchin so much, I got another. This is Sheena, as in the Ramones' song, Sheena is a Punk Rocker because it kinda looks like a punk rocker.

 

[The Ugly Phase]

hi :D what is this not the little frag the big red thing

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

hi :D what is this not the little frag the big red thing

That's Dragon's Breath red macro algae. I moved it from the location it debuted at in Posts #76 & 82 of this thread. I wanted to get it out of the channel it was in to open up flow, keep the view through the channel open, free up some space to put my Purple Ribbon Gorgonian into closer to the front, and get the macro itself under brighter lights.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

Yesterday I received 50' of 3/8" i.d. food grade vinyl tubing for my outside fresh air intake test with my venturi aerator. I chose 3/8" because I intend to run the venturi and the skimmer (both 3/16" air tubing) air intakes off of this. 3/8" should not restrict flow very much for two 3/16" consuming devices, even over a 50' length. In final installation, I will only need about 35', but I may use the full 50' anyway, just to allow more contact time with house temperatures for hot & cold outside air acclimation to reduce any impact on tank temperature.
I ran one end out a window and put a loose plug of filter floss in it to keep out spiders and who knows what else. I allowed the natural curve of the hose (from being coiled) to point downward against water intrusion. I placed a polystyrene strip under the window as a temporary weather seal that won't crush the hose.
I ran the other end to the venturi inlet hose. For the test, I inserted the venturi hose about 3" into the fresh air hose and used electrical tape to seal the joint. I tested the venturi for adequate air output (visually) as a qualitative proxy for air flow restriction. I was satisfied.
After running this way for about 11 hours overnight, I checked the tank pH pre-dawn, pre-lights. Result: 8.0. This is up from 7.9 at mid-day the prior day. I am very happy with this result. I will replicate for the next two nights before declaring victory and doing a more permanent installation. I think my wife wants the hose off of the dining room, entrance hallway and living room floors, but she's being a sport about it so far and hasn't said a thing. Yet.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

Fizzyology

After a couple of days in trial configuration convinced me to do so, I permanently installed my outside fresh air intake system.
Outside air enters a 3/8" I.D. vinyl hose on the north side of the house, in a protected area. I am still using a wad of filter floss in the opening to keep crawley things out. And pollen. That's no small matter this time of year here with the pine trees blooming. The opening points down to keep precipitation out.
The hose next runs to a "carbon scrubber" I fabricated from a Mason jar, two filter floss pads cut to size from a sheet, a couple of cups of activated carbon, two 3/8" barbed plastic bulkhead connectors and a short length of 3/8" tubing running inside the jar.

Air enters the top of the jar through one bulkhead in the lid and travels down the hose segment to the jar bottom. It is then filtered by a filter floss pad as it moves up through the jar, then through a carbon layer, then another filter floss pad. It moves up into an open space within the jar from where it is finally drawn out through the second bulkhead connector in the lid.
The 3/8" vinyl tube then runs to a 1/2" hole in the entrance hall closet floor, supported along the way by Adel clamps screwed to the joists. I ran it through 1/2" holes drilled in the drywall in the closet and living room behind the tank. It splits via barbed plastic "Y" connector to two stubs of 3/8" tubing, then into two plastic 3/8 to 3/16" barbed reducers.
3/16" airline tubing runs through plastic needle valves and check valves before feeding my venturi aerator and protein skimmer.
I tested pH pre-dawn after operating both devices for >24 hours. Reading: 8.0. Re-tested at mid-day: 8.1.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

Added two new frags, a pink Stylophora

and an unpretentious Torch.

Baby snails are everywhere. A few are big enough now to see well with low magnification (macro lens), but I still cannot I.D. them. They might be Zebra Turbos, from the one on top in this pic:

Also have some Cerith snails eggs.

Should a significant number of these babies survive to maturity, I may never need to buy CUC again. At least I know my snails are happy.

Parameters 3/20/2026:
● Dosing 2.5 ml/day AFR starting 2/21/2026.

● Tests are post AFR dosing for the day.

● Phosphate tested before a.m. feeding.

○ Ca: 450 ppm (-15/7d)
(target: 400-450 ppm)
per Salifert titration

○ Alk: 8.8 dKH (+0.2/7d)
(target: 8-12 dkH)
per Salifert titration

○ Mg: 1,290 ppm (-60/7d)
(target: 1,250-1,400 ppm)
per Salifert titration

The above "big three" have been pretty stable since AFR dosing. Staying with 2.5 ml/d AFR for now.

○ pH updated 3/23/2026:
8.0 (pre-dawn)
8.1 (mid-day)
(target: 8.1-8.4)
per API colorimetric
Using outside air, carbon filtered for venturi aerator (overnight use only) and protein skimmer (24-hr use). I am happy with the modest increase due to fresh air system.

○ Salinity: 1.0259 SpG/ 34.5 ppt
(target: 35 ppt)
per TropicMarin hydrometer

○ Temperature: 77.5°F
(target: 73-84°F)
per Weber digital therm.

○ Nitrate: ppm (not tested, out of reagent)
(target: 5-50 ppm)
per Hanna HR Checker

○ Phosphate: 0.27 ppm (-0.14/7d)
(target: 0.06-0.3 ppm)
per Hanna ULR Checker

My Toadstool Leather has been very grumpy for a couple of weeks now. I am hoping it's just preparing for a big shed-and-grow event.

My Purple Ribbon Gorgonian is also retracted for over a week. Last time I saw polyps was the last time I was feeding it. It did get well-fed that day, so I am hoping it is just processing the uptake and will be back soon.

My Gonioporas have not yet forgiven me since I pulled their rock out for a good algae scrubbing a couple of weeks ago. Their polyp extension seems timid. This could be exacerbated by the new CUC members (particularly the crabs and urchins) running roughshod over them.

I have sent for an ICP-MS test sampling kit to see what I can't see. Perhaps it will turn up a treatable common cause of my corals' disapproval.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

3/30/2026 Testing

● Dosing 2.5 ml/day AFR starting 2/21/2026.
● Tests are post-AFR dosing.
● All testing conducted between 4:30 - 5:00 p.m.
● ICP-MS samples collected between 4:15 - 4:30 p.m.

○ Ca: 470 ppm (+20/10d)
(target: 400-450 ppm)
per Salifert titration

○ Alk: 8.45 dKH (-0.35/10d)
(target: 8-12 dkH)
per Salifert titration

○ Mg: 1,335 ppm (+45/10d)
(target: 1,250-1,400 ppm)
per Salifert titration

* Stay with 2.5 ml/d AFR.

○ pH: 8.2 (5:00 p.m.)
(target: 8.1-8.4)
per API colorimetric

○ Salinity: 1.0260 SpG/ 34.7 ppt
(target: 35 ppt)
per TropicMarin hydrometer

○ Temperature: 78.0°F
(target: 73-84°F)
per Weber digital therm.

○ Ammonia: ppm (not tested)
(target: 0 ppm)
per API colorimetric

○ Nitrite: ppm (not tested)
(target: 0 ppm)
per API colorimetric

○ Nitrate: ppm (not tested)
(target: 5-50 ppm)
per Hanna HR Checker
LFS out of reagent

○ Phosphate: 0.16 ppm (-0.11/10d)
(target: 0.06-0.3 ppm)
per Hanna ULR Checker

Oceamo ICP-MS test samples go out 3/31/2026. For comparison, above tests conducted at the same time as ICP-MS samples drawn.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

Added a plug-in solenoid valve to the fresh-air inlet line to my venturi aerator. It is on a timer with non-volatile memory and battery. Now I don't need to manually open and close the needle valve every day. It operates during lights-out hours to support my overnight pH and dissolved O2 levels.

The skimmer still runs full-time on outside air.

 

[Pico_Reefs]

With such a low fish population I would just about guarantee that your Po4 issues are due to over feeding. I was in a similar boat. I reduced my feedings considerably and Po4 went from .25 to .03 and my fish are still fat and happy.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

With such a low fish population I would just about guarantee that your Po4 issues are due to over feeding. I was in a similar boat. I reduced my feedings considerably and Po4 went from .25 to .03 and my fish are still fat and happy.

Guilty, as charged. However, I do have seven fish in a 36-gallon tank, so in the opinions of many, I am overstocked, especially since adding the lawnmower blenny (who eats like a pig). I try to make sure everyone gets a bit in 2 minutes, which is hard with the blenny. I now pre-thaw everything so the pieces disburse better. The blenny was taking big chunks - most of what I used to feed the six prior residents. Smaller pieces seem to dissuade him a bit, but more food gets missed this way by all and ends in the rocks or filter.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

<sigh> Under cyanobacteria seige. Ordered another, small circulation pump, some Microbacter7 and a pound of CaCO₃. Rolling up the sleeves this weekend for some quality time with the tank.

But doesn’t it contrast beautifully with my Hammer?

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

It may be time for my Peppermint Shrimp to go. It did a marvelous job on the Aiptasia; I haven't seen one in months. Pre-dawn today, I noticed it up by, no, on my Stylophora frag. Once the lights came on, I found this. The first pic was taken yesterday. The second one today. Notice the two horizontal nubs that were pink yesterday, and pure white skeleton today.