IM Lagoon Progress Update (April 26’)

[higher99]

Hey R2R,

Had some time today and wanted to update you guys on my tank progress.

After all I remembered when I had a bare tank and a lot of kind people helped me out and pointed me towards the right direction.

The tank had been stabilizing to the most part. I attached my parameters but I’m in a phase where I’m just hoping to see some growth on my corals.

The fish are all healthy and overall the tank is pretty clean.

My newest additions came from POTO Easter sale and every frag came in healthy. This is my second time purchasing from them and if you’re in the NYC area, definitely stop by their storefront.

Anyways I also purchased a BTA (pretty ambitious move) from a reefer here on R2R and it’s setting in.

I’ve got a lot of questions on what’s next for my tank but I figured I can update anyone else starting a nano tank or someone else who has the same tank as me.

 

[higher99]

 

[Skippy The Meh]

Looking good!

Have you considered testing phosphate?
What all do you want to add in next?

 

[steveschuerger]

Looking good. A couple things. I’d try to get the nitrate a little higher somewhere between 5-10 and do you have a PO4 test kit?

 

[higher99]

Looking good!

Have you considered testing phosphate?
What all do you want to add in next?

I haven’t purchased a PO4 test kit yet but I’ll most likely pick up a Hanna checker soon.

My assumption is that it’s pretty low since my Nitrate is low.

Although my fish bioload is high, I’m not feeding coral food like reef roids or anything atm. I do want to elevate these two parameters just because I know the studies thrive in dirtier water.

 

[higher99]

Looking good. A couple things. I’d try to get the nitrate a little higher somewhere between 5-10 and do you have a PO4 test kit?

Yeah I’ve been trying to see what’s the best move with that. I’ll purchase a hanna checker for po4 and no2 soon.

Should I just turn off my skimmer entirely and do less water changes to make the water dirtier? I feel 1-2 times a day frozen brine / mysis. Here and there I’ll throw some pellets as treats and also some crab pellets for the hermits.

 

[higher99]

Looking good!

Have you considered testing phosphate?
What all do you want to add in next?

Fish wise I’m good. Probably more inverts

Brittle stars, more snails for CUC (might remove all hermits, the big ones at least since they’re always trying to kill something)
I’ve been looking into a porcelain crab / anemone crab. That would probably have to wait because my BTA is new & small. Plus I would rather my clown host the BTA instead of a crab.

Coral wise

Handful of RFA for the floor for sure, maybe 1-2 more frogspawn / hammers

Flowerpot frags 1-2 for sure

Maybe a Florida Ricordea mushroom near the shaded area.

Would also love SPS like montis/ bird nest but I already have a BTA at the top and also my parameters are still not stable.

 

[steveschuerger]

Yeah I’ve been trying to see what’s the best move with that. I’ll purchase a hanna checker for po4 and no2 soon.

Should I just turn off my skimmer entirely and do less water changes to make the water dirtier? I feel 1-2 times a day frozen brine / mysis. Here and there I’ll throw some pellets as treats and also some crab pellets for the hermits.

I wish I could give an answer on that. I don’t run with a skimmer. Never have. One thing I will suggest. Stop adding things. And let the tank stabilize. I’ve been guilty of that myself.