DarkReefer's CADE Reef S2 1800

[JonoH]

This is what i worked off for Vinegard Dosing -

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/new-vodka-and-vinegar-dosing-charts.1024056/
I am dosing it over a 5-6 hour during the daylight hours to minimise any PH drop, currently dosing 250ml a day which seems heaps!
The other option you could look at is the Donovan nitrate destroyer - I've been considering making one of these at some point -

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/poor-mans-nutrients-control-donovans-nitrate-destroyer.302685/
My reactor for Rowaphos is basically the same as an RO Membrane chamber, so its just a matter of unscrewing, tipping it into the bin, rinse out and repeat - the stuff in there has been in for over 2 months now and still working ok, although the first time i ran it it depleted pretty fast (you have to monitor it a little more than once a month to start - mainly to make sure you dont strip them down to zero!).

Basically like this - https://www.bespokeaquariums.com.au/product/co2-media-reactor/
Although i bought all the parts from Ali Express for a fraction of that cost...

 

[DarkReefer]

This is what i worked off for Vinegard Dosing -

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/new-vodka-and-vinegar-dosing-charts.1024056/
I am dosing it over a 5-6 hour during the daylight hours to minimise any PH drop, currently dosing 250ml a day which seems heaps!
The other option you could look at is the Donovan nitrate destroyer - I've been considering making one of these at some point -

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/poor-mans-nutrients-control-donovans-nitrate-destroyer.302685/
My reactor for Rowaphos is basically the same as an RO Membrane chamber, so its just a matter of unscrewing, tipping it into the bin, rinse out and repeat - the stuff in there has been in for over 2 months now and still working ok, although the first time i ran it it depleted pretty fast (you have to monitor it a little more than once a month to start - mainly to make sure you dont strip them down to zero!).

Basically like this - https://www.bespokeaquariums.com.au/product/co2-media-reactor/
Although i bought all the parts from Ali Express for a fraction of that cost...

Appreciate the info, I'll have a good read and see which way I go. 250ml does seem like a lot to dose!

Interesting, I think my last media reactor was the older version of this
https://www.bespokeaquariums.com.au/product/af90new/Found the foam parts inside got all gross and funky over time and needed to be swapped out.

I do wonder if having a co2 reactor or something would help my corals a bit more too. Whilst there's growth happening (when the fish aren't eating them) I do feel it's a bit slow going for some of them. My pH seems to constantly sit around 8.0, would be nice to bump that up but I really should get a handle on the phosphates and nitrates first.

It's another reason why I'd love an apex, so I can start monitoring things easier but with a kid on the way we need to start pumping some funds into buying all that associated crap aswell so I'll probably have to wait some...

 

[JonoH]

Appreciate the info, I'll have a good read and see which way I go. 250ml does seem like a lot to dose!

Interesting, I think my last media reactor was the older version of this
https://www.bespokeaquariums.com.au/product/af90new/Found the foam parts inside got all gross and funky over time and needed to be swapped out.

I do wonder if having a co2 reactor or something would help my corals a bit more too. Whilst there's growth happening (when the fish aren't eating them) I do feel it's a bit slow going for some of them. My pH seems to constantly sit around 8.0, would be nice to bump that up but I really should get a handle on the phosphates and nitrates first.

It's another reason why I'd love an apex, so I can start monitoring things easier but with a kid on the way we need to start pumping some funds into buying all that associated crap aswell so I'll probably have to wait some...

Maybe consider running Kalk instead - this would boost the PH which in turn should provide that boost in growth.

I'm seriously considering switching in the next few months, as i'm dosing close to 100ml of alk a day now! Thinking about picking up one of the Marine Spectra Kalk units, they look great!

 

[DarkReefer]

Maybe consider running Kalk instead - this would boost the PH which in turn should provide that boost in growth.

I'm seriously considering switching in the next few months, as i'm dosing close to 100ml of alk a day now! Thinking about picking up one of the Marine Spectra Kalk units, they look great!

I don't know if I'd benefit much from it aside from the pH increase?
I think I'm only dosing about 6.4ml a day of alk and alk seems stable, though calcium seems to be regularly on the lower side (usually around 370-390)

 

[DarkReefer]

Figure I should add some pics, it's been a minute. I know they're not the best shots in the world but hopefully you enjoy.

Full tank shot

My 'centrepiece' coral that's been slowly eaten away. Used to have another arm coming off the bottom that spread right out.

These guys are always looking decent.
Got some reds in various spots around the tank and another green that floated off somewhere.

My big happy leather

One unhappy nem. Assuming it's due to the nitrate spike or phosphates, who knows... The other one seems happy enough at the back there.

Whatever this softy is, used to think it was going to die off... took forever for the little polyps to come out.

This is where the other leather has been sent to in the sump. Not that you can really see much of it through the water.

Everyone hiding from the camera. Also not sure what the purple softies are down on the sandbed. They haven't really done much of anything. The green thing you can see used to be bigger and more finger like, but I think it's been eaten over time and now it's got this black stuff on it so... who knows. Just kinda letting nature do its thing there.

Also I realised today that I think the cause of the high nitrates is likely from overfeeding. Checked my feeder and it was running low on food already. It's only been a few weeks since I topped it off so I was pretty shocked by that. I've closed up the gap a bunch more and tested it and seems to drop a better amount so fingers crossed it sorts itself out soon.

I did get some vinegar to try dose with, but I need to find the hose for the pump first. Will probably try add that to my list of things to do tomorrow.

Also need to monitor the aiptasia as theres a couple of decently large ones I can see. May try the aiptasia x type stuff (though it hasn't worked that great before), or I may need to look at another fish or something to eat it. Would love another CBB but I think the purple tang would fight it again so might have to look at a file fish or something but the missus isn't a fan of those because they're not pretty lol.

 

[LunkerPunker]

Looking good

 

[JonoH]

Tank is looking great, fish look healthy!
I always worry about Auto Feeders doing that! Mine is only open like a mm since I feed frozen at night, it's only for supplimental feeds during the day.

Looks like the GHA is clearing up.

 

[DarkReefer]

Looking good

Tank is looking great, fish look healthy!
I always worry about Auto Feeders doing that! Mine is only open like a mm since I feed frozen at night, it's only for supplimental feeds during the day.

Looks like the GHA is clearing up.

Thanks guys,

Yeah it was my fault with the feeder, I set the opening too large and didn't test it at the time thought it looked 'about right'. It wasn't until the weekend that I was in front of the tank when it went off and heard it slide in and thought it didn't sound right.

I tend to mainly feed with the feeder (although add seaweed almost daily), so it goes off twice at around midday and twice in the evening.

I've noticed that too, even the missus commented on the weekend that it looks like it's getting better.
Other than scraping the back wall a week or so ago to remove the carpet that was on there I've not done anything else so I'm not quite sure what's changed. Perhaps the fish are nibbling or perhaps it's just the tank maturing.

 

[shadyraro]

Tank is looking pretty good mate!
You're probably right about the high nitrates from overfeeding, do you feed frozen at all?

 

[DarkReefer]

Tank is looking pretty good mate!
You're probably right about the high nitrates from overfeeding, do you feed frozen at all?

Cheers mate, not where I'd like it to be, but it's not bad :)

I do, but only maybe once perhaps twice a week at most.

 

[DarkReefer]

I did another round of tests tonight... twice in 5 days.. must be a new record for me right?!

Was very surprised to see that my phosphates have dropped significantly from 0.445 to 0.08. Actually did two tests because I thought the first must have been a false reading. First one was 0.089, the second 0.07 so I split the difference for the record. Crazy that the lanthanum made that much of an impact in that amount of time. I'll have to dial back the dose now.

Also saw the Nitrates crept up by 2 also, so I swapped out the carbon for new stuff... so hopefully that'll absorb some nicely (seeing as it doesn't have to contend with so much food from the feeder now). See how it looks in another week maybe.

Keep discussing the Apex with the missus. Would be real nice not to have to worry about testing so much and being able to check quick/regular tests.
Also been online shopping (Browsing), thinking I want to add a montipora or two to the tank. Hopefully the fish wont it eat but yeah, need to get my nitrates more in line first I think.

 

[JonoH]

I did another round of tests tonight... twice in 5 days.. must be a new record for me right?!

Was very surprised to see that my phosphates have dropped significantly from 0.445 to 0.08. Actually did two tests because I thought the first must have been a false reading. First one was 0.089, the second 0.07 so I split the difference for the record. Crazy that the lanthanum made that much of an impact in that amount of time. I'll have to dial back the dose now.

Also saw the Nitrates crept up by 2 also, so I swapped out the carbon for new stuff... so hopefully that'll absorb some nicely (seeing as it doesn't have to contend with so much food from the feeder now). See how it looks in another week maybe.

Keep discussing the Apex with the missus. Would be real nice not to have to worry about testing so much and being able to check quick/regular tests.
Also been online shopping (Browsing), thinking I want to add a montipora or two to the tank. Hopefully the fish wont it eat but yeah, need to get my nitrates more in line first I think.

Carbon doesnt do much to absorb nitrate from what i understand - but it will reduce the phosphates, so be careful if doing both - 0.08 is perfect!

Would love a full Apex set up but man the cost...another option if it was just for testing would be a Mastertronic.

Dont hear much of Monti being eaten by fish, so you should be fine - they tend to prefer the more meatier corals like Scoly, Trachy, Deshy's and Hammers etc.

 

[shadyraro]

I did another round of tests tonight... twice in 5 days.. must be a new record for me right?!

Was very surprised to see that my phosphates have dropped significantly from 0.445 to 0.08. Actually did two tests because I thought the first must have been a false reading. First one was 0.089, the second 0.07 so I split the difference for the record. Crazy that the lanthanum made that much of an impact in that amount of time. I'll have to dial back the dose now.

Also saw the Nitrates crept up by 2 also, so I swapped out the carbon for new stuff... so hopefully that'll absorb some nicely (seeing as it doesn't have to contend with so much food from the feeder now). See how it looks in another week maybe.

Keep discussing the Apex with the missus. Would be real nice not to have to worry about testing so much and being able to check quick/regular tests.
Also been online shopping (Browsing), thinking I want to add a montipora or two to the tank. Hopefully the fish wont it eat but yeah, need to get my nitrates more in line first I think.

I’m loving my apex and what you can do on their platform, it’s an amazing piece of kit and it would make your life a lot easier for sure!

 

[DarkReefer]

Carbon doesnt do much to absorb nitrate from what i understand - but it will reduce the phosphates, so be careful if doing both - 0.08 is perfect!

Would love a full Apex set up but man the cost...another option if it was just for testing would be a Mastertronic.

Dont hear much of Monti being eaten by fish, so you should be fine - they tend to prefer the more meatier corals like Scoly, Trachy, Deshy's and Hammers etc.

I swear carbon was used to help with nitrates. Doing some quick searching though I can't seem to find that info again... so idk where I got that in my mind from... Oh well. Doesn't look like it has any effect on phosphates either though so should be okay there. Might have to pull my finger out and go look for the tubing so I can run the vinegar!

Looks like those kits are 2600 at least anyway but seem to be more testing focused. I like the idea of the apex being able to be used to monitor other things and perform various tasks. All in all, would cost more for the apex but I guess being modulated to some degree you can develop it over time.

That's what I'm thinking. Used have a nice plating monti years back, pretty smallish but still nice. Definitely can't do fleshy items because they just snack on them annoyingly.

I’m loving my apex and what you can do on their platform, it’s an amazing piece of kit and it would make your life a lot easier for sure!

I'm glad to hear it's running well for you and you're enjoying it.
The main selling point for me right now would be the testing side of things, but I'm also interested in potential for the automatic water change in future, don't quite know how that'll look set up yet though.
Would be cool to automate a lot more stuff, I should probably read up more on forums and the like to see what kind of things people do with theirs, maybe it'll help me justify the cost in my mind a bit more !

 

[lubeck]

Carbon dosing does reduce nitrates and not so much phosphates

 

[JonoH]

I swear carbon was used to help with nitrates. Doing some quick searching though I can't seem to find that info again... so idk where I got that in my mind from... Oh well. Doesn't look like it has any effect on phosphates either though so should be okay there. Might have to pull my finger out and go look for the tubing so I can run the vinegar!

Looks like those kits are 2600 at least anyway but seem to be more testing focused. I like the idea of the apex being able to be used to monitor other things and perform various tasks. All in all, would cost more for the apex but I guess being modulated to some degree you can develop it over time.

That's what I'm thinking. Used have a nice plating monti years back, pretty smallish but still nice. Definitely can't do fleshy items because they just snack on them annoyingly.

I'm glad to hear it's running well for you and you're enjoying it.
The main selling point for me right now would be the testing side of things, but I'm also interested in potential for the automatic water change in future, don't quite know how that'll look set up yet though.
Would be cool to automate a lot more stuff, I should probably read up more on forums and the like to see what kind of things people do with theirs, maybe it'll help me justify the cost in my mind a bit more !

lubeck is correct - Carbon Dosing reduces Nitrates (this is vinegar or vodka dosing)

Just keep an eye on your Alk as you reduce Nitrates, i remember reading something a while back that your Alk will go up as nitrates are reduced.

The guy at my LFS said that everyone who goes to APEX wishes they had done it sooner - but then also that you get tied to it, so its hard to run a reef tank without it after having it...

 

[DarkReefer]

Carbon dosing does reduce nitrates and not so much phosphates

lubeck is correct - Carbon Dosing reduces Nitrates (this is vinegar or vodka dosing)

Just keep an eye on your Alk as you reduce Nitrates, i remember reading something a while back that your Alk will go up as nitrates are reduced.

The guy at my LFS said that everyone who goes to APEX wishes they had done it sooner - but then also that you get tied to it, so its hard to run a reef tank without it after having it...

What I meant when I said I swear carbon helped reduce nitrates, was the activated carbon in a bag. Not the vinegar/vodka carbon dosing (which I need to clearly sort). My bad.

Okay, thanks for the heads up on the Alk.
My Alk thankfully has been really stable in this tank, but given that only softies are in there, it's not like anything is absorbing it I guess??

Sounds like he's trying to put that hard sell on ya! I definitely hear where you're coming from though. Would be hard to go back to manual everything if you've had a heavily automated setup that makes things a breeze.
Checking my levels just by pulling up an app on my phone seems like a dream haha.

 

[DarkReefer]

Went out today to one of the LFS with the plan to grab an AI Blade (refugium) light to try and get my chaeto going properly as the current light doesn't seem to be working, or at least isn't growing the chaeto. Unfortunately (actually probably fortunately) their carpark is complete trash and was packed. Tried twice to get in/around there and in the end gave up.
Went to another store that I'd been to before which I really enjoyed but is a bit further away and walked out with a bunch of goodies.

They had this guy that the missus and I couldn't pass up. We had one very briefly before in my smaller tank, and unfortunately it jumped to it's death the night/day before I got my net set up. Was pretty lucky we got it when we did, I think another couple came in asking about it as they were about to pull it out of the tank for us. So far seems to be settling in okay, was a little bit of chasing from the tomini initially and a few others but within an hour or so it seemed to be swimming around uninterrupted mostly.

Also wanted to try some SPS, so I grabbed a small colony. The photo was under pretty heavy blues as they were ramping down, but it's a pinky/pale purple colour. Couldn't quite get it to balance properly in the spot I wanted it, but just had to move it slightly and sits nicely here.
Already saw it opened up a bit so fingers crossed it goes well, settles in and starts to take off (so I can get more and finally get some more colour happening).

I also added a couple of Montipora (a green and a red on the left side), apparently the red comes from a piece that actually has green in it also (saw the mother colony in store). Hopefully they also go well and settle in nicely. Would love to see them grow.

Also got these little goodies to get things kicked off with that side of things. Wasn't exactly planning on it but figured it's there, in stock so ... may as well get things going.
Would've loved to get the trident as well but honestly, the trip hurt the wallet enough for one day! Should also help me monitor my pH effectively when I start carbon dosing also.
I'll start having a play tomorrow to try and get it set up. :) Pretty excited but nervous about getting into it!

 

[JonoH]

Ooo very jealous of the Apex!

Keen to hear what you think of it!

 

[shadyraro]

Yes to the Apex woohoo!!