OK, I need some help and guidance. I've been researching but am not sure what I have found is applicable to me as well as I haven't found the smoking gun that will help me not think I will nuke my tank.
Background/Situation/Equipment:
- Tank was relocated 150 miles 3 months ago. Tank was severely neglected and has really come a long way with help of some weekly guidance from my LFS. Tank had GHA that was 4-5 inches long covering 40-50% of the rock. During the move the substrate was severely shaken up and 50% of the original water was used. I didn't, but should have, used new substrate. I plan to do a rip clean in the next month as I have to slide the tank around to fix the stand. Tank must have started a mini cycle when we put it back together. I have had no success in getting ammonia to zero, it's been hanging out <0.09 (parameters will be listed below). Nutrients have been really low too.
- Tank is > 3 years old.
- Total system volume is 135G
- Has 3 Hydra 32s and a 40W UV
- Using 2 return pumps
- Lots of Chaeto, maybe 5-7 cups in the refugium, lights on opposite the display lights
- No whites 90 minutes of ramp up/down plus 8 hours of light daily for the display
- Pods in the refugium are doing really well
- I feed 1 time a day of defrosted Rods. Some times we feed flake during the day, but I think they like the high life and wait for Rod as they never really for it.
- I spot and broadcast reef roids or chili 2 times a week.
- I will spot feed the corals Rods 1-2 times a week.
Light bioload - up until 7 days ago there were 4 fish, now it is 6, all smaller sized (Anyone want a undulated trigger? If you can get it out you can have it )
I have been manually dosing (not exactly the same every day in terms of exact amounts and for sure not exact times). I currently dose:
- AB+ daily 25ML all at one time
- AFR daily 65ML
- Randy's ammonia solution - 11ML one time a day
- Red Sea Nopox 11ML a day
I also do weekly water changes (10-30%). Every 3rd week I scrub half my rocks to remove GHA. I have to say, it is getting better. I also use RODI that goes through a 7S system with 1Micron filters.
I know I am not being consistent with my time and my amounts. I have an Apex, so I went and picked up several DOS units. Consistency is key, so I thought automation and consistent dosing amounts is that key to success.
With BRS having their sale and me watching my parameters I was thinking a 2 part plan would be better, this way I can target what needs to get what. I picked up the 2 part balling method.
Parameters and pictures are posted below. Questions:
How do I go about switching from AFR to a 2 part plan? How do I determine the delta by each part? Meaning, should I stop dosing in totality to measure over the consumption rate over 5 days?
My MG and CA look really high. If I 2 part, I can target which needs what, right?
Any thoughts on why I can't get my ammonia back down to zero?
Nutrients are really concerning to me, I am dark curing a second tank that will be ready in about 2-3 weeks to start doing some stuff to. I was planning on moving a bunch of chaeto to that tank so I can start off with a healthy pod population. I fear the chaeto might be consuming too much? Should I create a stand along 5G tank and move all the chaeto there for now?
Background/Situation/Equipment:
- Tank was relocated 150 miles 3 months ago. Tank was severely neglected and has really come a long way with help of some weekly guidance from my LFS. Tank had GHA that was 4-5 inches long covering 40-50% of the rock. During the move the substrate was severely shaken up and 50% of the original water was used. I didn't, but should have, used new substrate. I plan to do a rip clean in the next month as I have to slide the tank around to fix the stand. Tank must have started a mini cycle when we put it back together. I have had no success in getting ammonia to zero, it's been hanging out <0.09 (parameters will be listed below). Nutrients have been really low too.
- Tank is > 3 years old.
- Total system volume is 135G
- Has 3 Hydra 32s and a 40W UV
- Using 2 return pumps
- Lots of Chaeto, maybe 5-7 cups in the refugium, lights on opposite the display lights
- No whites 90 minutes of ramp up/down plus 8 hours of light daily for the display
- Pods in the refugium are doing really well
- I feed 1 time a day of defrosted Rods. Some times we feed flake during the day, but I think they like the high life and wait for Rod as they never really for it.
- I spot and broadcast reef roids or chili 2 times a week.
- I will spot feed the corals Rods 1-2 times a week.
Light bioload - up until 7 days ago there were 4 fish, now it is 6, all smaller sized (Anyone want a undulated trigger? If you can get it out you can have it )
I have been manually dosing (not exactly the same every day in terms of exact amounts and for sure not exact times). I currently dose:
- AB+ daily 25ML all at one time
- AFR daily 65ML
- Randy's ammonia solution - 11ML one time a day
- Red Sea Nopox 11ML a day
I also do weekly water changes (10-30%). Every 3rd week I scrub half my rocks to remove GHA. I have to say, it is getting better. I also use RODI that goes through a 7S system with 1Micron filters.
I know I am not being consistent with my time and my amounts. I have an Apex, so I went and picked up several DOS units. Consistency is key, so I thought automation and consistent dosing amounts is that key to success.
With BRS having their sale and me watching my parameters I was thinking a 2 part plan would be better, this way I can target what needs to get what. I picked up the 2 part balling method.
Parameters and pictures are posted below. Questions:
How do I go about switching from AFR to a 2 part plan? How do I determine the delta by each part? Meaning, should I stop dosing in totality to measure over the consumption rate over 5 days?
My MG and CA look really high. If I 2 part, I can target which needs what, right?
Any thoughts on why I can't get my ammonia back down to zero?
Nutrients are really concerning to me, I am dark curing a second tank that will be ready in about 2-3 weeks to start doing some stuff to. I was planning on moving a bunch of chaeto to that tank so I can start off with a healthy pod population. I fear the chaeto might be consuming too much? Should I create a stand along 5G tank and move all the chaeto there for now?