Update time:
So I built a canopy, but when we test fit it, the wife didn't like it (it's about as tall as the tank is tall). We've decided to go without a hood. The AI Primes came in and I've got those on the sides of the 150w MH, in acclimation mode.
I also got in my BRS dual reactor, filled it in with CO2 scrubbing material and then hooked it up to my skimmer. It's not recirculating at the moment because i'm not sure how to connect it in to the skimmer cup/cap since the skimmer is so small [K1 skimmer].
Running into low nutrient issues now... I added the tang for two purposes - for alga management and for nitrate production. I also added the second cleaner shrimp, and the 6-line for the same reasons.
Here's yesterday's test results [3/24/21]:
Alk was rising, but seems to have settled down. I mixed the new ATO water to a lower concentration than previously because I saw it creeping up [9.6 level] from the ATO. I'm going to monitor ALK a little more closely this week and if necessary i'll stir in a bit more kalk to the top off water.
Phosphates are staying nice and consistent, but the nitrates are bottomed out [absolutely no color to the Nitrate test]. I'm trying to avoid dosing nitrates directly, but I already feed a TON [4 fish, autofeeder goes off twice a day with flakes/pellets and I also feed 10ml+ of frozen food blend including reef chili each night]. I also dose Red Sea Amino Acids 4-5 nights a week [when I remember].
So I built a canopy, but when we test fit it, the wife didn't like it (it's about as tall as the tank is tall). We've decided to go without a hood. The AI Primes came in and I've got those on the sides of the 150w MH, in acclimation mode.
I also got in my BRS dual reactor, filled it in with CO2 scrubbing material and then hooked it up to my skimmer. It's not recirculating at the moment because i'm not sure how to connect it in to the skimmer cup/cap since the skimmer is so small [K1 skimmer].
Running into low nutrient issues now... I added the tang for two purposes - for alga management and for nitrate production. I also added the second cleaner shrimp, and the 6-line for the same reasons.
Here's yesterday's test results [3/24/21]:
Alk was rising, but seems to have settled down. I mixed the new ATO water to a lower concentration than previously because I saw it creeping up [9.6 level] from the ATO. I'm going to monitor ALK a little more closely this week and if necessary i'll stir in a bit more kalk to the top off water.
Phosphates are staying nice and consistent, but the nitrates are bottomed out [absolutely no color to the Nitrate test]. I'm trying to avoid dosing nitrates directly, but I already feed a TON [4 fish, autofeeder goes off twice a day with flakes/pellets and I also feed 10ml+ of frozen food blend including reef chili each night]. I also dose Red Sea Amino Acids 4-5 nights a week [when I remember].