Goose's IM 14 Peninsula

[PocketGoose]

Tanks still not at 100%. Alk has been running a touch high for my liking as of late (9.0dkH) so I’m dropping the A4R little by little till I’m back around 8-8.5. Tank still reads 0/0 for NO3 and PO4 without dosing.

I’m not sure if this will make sense but I’m starting to see some serious trends regarding the nutrient levels and alkalinity. My tanks always been really low in the detectable nutrient department and for a while it was running with a lower alk (7-8) with great results - my thought process is the higher alk with the lower nutrients shakes up a few things. LPS and softies are not as tolerant in that condition.

Now, I know there is at least some available nutrients because algae growth is pretty consistent.

My solution? - I’ve began dosing reef NRG every two days starting last week, I have yet to see results but I’m interested to see if consistently using aminos/whatever else is in the stuff will supplement the corals in the low nutrient/higher alk condition.

pic is from a few days ago - you can see the green zoas are unhappy and the green palys are still scrunched up.

My other thought is trace elements - but the last time I chased that rabbit hole with icp testing and what not, things didnt improve.

SPS are doing great tho! i moved the tropicana anacro into a better location with more space. its looked the best ive seen since i bought it, hoping it takes off.

Water is a little hazy from the reef energy.

 

[Tahoe61]

You have done a fantastic job with this tank. What LED are you using?

 

[PocketGoose]

You have done a fantastic job with this tank. What LED are you using?

Thank you!!

I’m running the Maxspect jump65w (non blue version) and an AI coral grow 12” blade.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Tanks still not at 100%. Alk has been running a touch high for my liking as of late (9.0dkH) so I’m dropping the A4R little by little till I’m back around 8-8.5. Tank still reads 0/0 for NO3 and PO4 without dosing.

I’m not sure if this will make sense but I’m starting to see some serious trends regarding the nutrient levels and alkalinity. My tanks always been really low in the detectable nutrient department and for a while it was running with a lower alk (7-8) with great results - my thought process is the higher alk with the lower nutrients shakes up a few things. LPS and softies are not as tolerant in that condition.

Now, I know there is at least some available nutrients because algae growth is pretty consistent.

My solution? - I’ve began dosing reef NRG every two days starting last week, I have yet to see results but I’m interested to see if consistently using aminos/whatever else is in the stuff will supplement the corals in the low nutrient/higher alk condition.

pic is from a few days ago - you can see the green zoas are unhappy and the green palys are still scrunched up.

My other thought is trace elements - but the last time I chased that rabbit hole with icp testing and what not, things didnt improve.

SPS are doing great tho! i moved the tropicana anacro into a better location with more space. its looked the best ive seen since i bought it, hoping it takes off.

Water is a little hazy from the reef energy.

Your tank is getting full of all sorts of great looking coral!

 

[PocketGoose]

Your tank is getting full of all sorts of great looking coral!

Thank you!

A true "mixed reef" is a balancing act for sure..part of my wishes I just stocked it full of SPS but it is what it is.

As a side note - the WWC AOI's are absolutley bulletproof. They have 0 cares about changing conditions..nutrients...alk...they always look good lol.

 

[PocketGoose]

Quick lunch pic from today after feeding some reef NRG. I've reduced A4R a touch and the alk has dropped slightly. Some things look better, the rics are expanded nicely - haven't seen that in a bit. The pretty chalice in the front is still dull.

 

[PocketGoose]

Picked up an urchin today to hopefully help with some of the small patches of hair algae. I’m a little worried cause it’s a small tank but I wanna get these rocks clean! He may be a rental for now - we will see. It was sold as a “rose pink” urchin, but some surface level research makes me think it’s a variegated urchin like ORA sells. Not sure, it’s my first one ever though and he’s real cool to watch!

 

[PocketGoose]

Just checking in! Tank is still rolling!

No crazy updates, I’ve moved a few things around taken out some old stuff..the Tropicana anacro is starting to really show some orange coloration which is exciting!!

 

[kevgib67]

Just checking in! Tank is still rolling!

No crazy updates, I’ve moved a few things around taken out some old stuff..the Tropicana anacro is starting to really show some orange coloration which is exciting!!

Loooove the bi-color monti cap!!!!!!

 

[PocketGoose]

Loooove the bi-color monti cap!!!!!!

Thanks!! I need to frag it actually..the purple digi is absolutely crushing it currently..I need to take a piece and start growing it out. They used to stay pretty even in their efforts to take up more space but the digi has taken over..

 

[kevgib67]

Thanks!! I need to frag it actually..the purple digi is absolutely crushing it currently..I need to take a piece and start growing it out. They used to stay pretty even in their efforts to take up more space but the digi has taken over..

If I would’ve known about the bicolor ones 3 years ago I would be showing you it instead of the one I have.

 

[PocketGoose]

If I would’ve known about the bicolor ones 3 years ago I would be showing you it instead of the one I have.

Regardless of species a large colony is its own beauty!! That looks awesome!! In love with the tail spot too, I think whenever I get around to getting something larger that’s one of the first new fish I’ll get

 

[PocketGoose]

I just can’t get over this chalice…need to get my camera fixed to do this bad boy justice. It’s just a very nice piece. Funny enough, the green/orange chalice I have is finally showing some solid growth as well.

 

[kevgib67]

Regardless of species a large colony is its own beauty!! That looks awesome!! In love with the tail spot too, I think whenever I get around to getting something larger that’s one of the first new fish I’ll get

It’s funny, I had 6 fish in my 32 gallon and I kept telling the owner at my lfs how much I loved their tailspots. She suggested I get one and I told her I was maxed out with 6 fish. She said they had such a small bioload it wouldn’t make a difference but I stood my ground. I came across @Katrina71 who told me the same thing after I told her I loved her tailspot. After some serious arm twisting from her, my arm is still sore, and ended up getting one and I’m so glad I did. Some people say I’m a tailspot fanatic, that’s ridiculous. :winking-face:

 

[PocketGoose]

It’s funny, I had 6 fish in my 32 gallon and I kept telling the owner at my lfs how much I loved their tailspots. She suggested I get one and I told her I was maxed out with 6 fish. She said they had such a small bioload it wouldn’t make a difference but I stood my ground. I came across @Katrina71 who told me the same thing after I told her I loved her tailspot. After some serious arm twisting from her, my arm is still sore, and ended up getting one and I’m so glad I did. Some people say I’m a tailspot fanatic, that’s ridiculous. :winking-face:

HAH!! I LOVE the tailspot swag..

I could probably get away with one more fish in this setup….if my arm is being twisted..

 

[kevgib67]

HAH!! I LOVE the tailspot swag..

I could probably get away with one more fish in this setup….if my arm is being twisted..

Can you feel any pain?

 

[Justfebreezeit]

What happened to that 22gal you were setting up???

 

[PocketGoose]

What happened to that 22gal you were setting up???

It's currently collecting dust...Technically it could hold water currently. Time just got in the way. I'm unsure what the next move is but I NEED to get the current inhabitants into something a little larger. I was a hair unhappy with the amount of space the sump will take up. I wanted to upgrade the lighting as well.

Was considering getting the AIO version in the time being. The stand I made will fit it nicely and then I can hide most of the junk underneath.

Side Note: I had a ruby mithrax crab come in with my TBS shipment. After he showed up, I started to notice a few sections of SPS polyps missing..today I went home for lunch and he was shacked up on my alveopora on the frag rack..it was such a good opportunity to capture him so I took it and banished him to the middle chamber with the excess LR. I hate to do it but I don't want to risk my corals. Next time I clean the back I'll probably pluck him out and bring him to the LFS.

 

[PocketGoose]

Just popping in for a little photo update:) tanks doing well enjoy.

 

[PocketGoose]

Weekly check in!