Part 6
Progress
By the 1.5 year mark the reef was stable and thriving. However I had a significant bubble algae (Valonia sp.) and Cyanobacteria problem. My solution was to minimize nutrients (nitrate 0 and phosphate 0), harvest bubble algae once or twice weekly and vacuum mats of Cyanobacteria every 1-2 weeks (with 20% water change) with rock scrubbing. This has been effective. Now at the 2 year mark bubble algae is very well controlled and the cyano is barely noticeable although I still vacuum every 2 weeks. But soon I’ll go to monthly. I have Aiptasia but the population has been stable in a very low nutrient environment and is not a problem health wise or aesthetically . I have not started any Aiptasia control procedures although I will use Berghia nudibranchs when necessary.
Dosing wise, I supplement my calcium reactor with 2 part Ca/buffer via a Red Sea doser 30ml each part daily. That’s it.
I do 20% water change every 2 weeks.
Progress
By the 1.5 year mark the reef was stable and thriving. However I had a significant bubble algae (Valonia sp.) and Cyanobacteria problem. My solution was to minimize nutrients (nitrate 0 and phosphate 0), harvest bubble algae once or twice weekly and vacuum mats of Cyanobacteria every 1-2 weeks (with 20% water change) with rock scrubbing. This has been effective. Now at the 2 year mark bubble algae is very well controlled and the cyano is barely noticeable although I still vacuum every 2 weeks. But soon I’ll go to monthly. I have Aiptasia but the population has been stable in a very low nutrient environment and is not a problem health wise or aesthetically . I have not started any Aiptasia control procedures although I will use Berghia nudibranchs when necessary.
Dosing wise, I supplement my calcium reactor with 2 part Ca/buffer via a Red Sea doser 30ml each part daily. That’s it.
I do 20% water change every 2 weeks.
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