Changes During a Fallow Period

john.m.cole3 · Apr 26, 2016

I am on day 19 of my 72 day fallow period. It's a 72 gallon bowfront with 1x plating monti, 4x LPS, a zoa frag, 2x BTA, and a rock nem. What do you or would you do to keep your corals/nems happy and nutrients in check?

No negative changes in my corals, but noticed my nitrates went from 10 to 25 (die off of beneficial bacteria?) and my phosphates went from .06 to .027 (due to not feeding as much?)

jsker · Apr 26, 2016

dragon99 · Aug 29, 2016

I'm about to start a fallow period also. Tagging along.

I'm seen humblefish mention in a couple fallow threads to feed a pinch of flake/pellet every few days to keep bacteria fed. I'm planning to also target feed my LPS a couple times a week. I may also feed some mysis to my BTA and CUC (nassarius and hermits)occasionally.

john.m.cole3 · Aug 29, 2016

I'm out of the fallow period and I think it was a positive experience overall. This time really gave me a chance to get to know my system and focus on coral . Yes, you must feed every few days for the bacteria to maintain, but you can choose foods that will promote coral growth big time. Since you are in absolute control of food additions, you can choose low or higher nutrient levels

Lol, once I put fish back in things went haywire. Still ring to dial it back in. Good tines!