IM20 - retuning to hobby, starting from ground 0

[hahahohol]

4.5 months update…
The Good:

• I introduced some LPS to the tank: Duncan, Green, Purple, & Copper Hammers.
• I added some mushrooms: Orange and a bleached one. So excited to see what color it will be. It has orange and green coming through. I think it’s Yuma shroom.
• I added macroalgae: Pom Pom which adds color to the tank. I love it. Want more lol

The Eh:

• Since I added more coral & macroalgae, I noticed that GSP (on the back wall) stoped opening up. I then noticed that the rock and GSP are covered in brown coating… some places on rock has snotty looking strings with air bubbles trapped inside… dino’s? :-/
  • My Nitrate is 2ppm & Phosphate is 0.
  • I’ve been dosing NeoNitro because NO3 has been 0-0.2ppm since beginning.
  • I am now ghost feeding more often to increase PO4, hopefully.
• I have trouble increasing Alk. Currently at 5.5 dkh - highest it ever been (4.0 the lowest).
  • LPS are unhappy
• I still didn’t add fish. Only 3 hermits and 1 snail.

Photos right after adding new coral (2 weeks ago)



Any recommendations on

1. Increasing ALK?
2. Keeping NO3 & PO4 in check? I think it’s the cause for dinos.

 

[Hooz]

4.5 months update…
The Good:

• I introduced some LPS to the tank: Duncan, Green, Purple, & Copper Hammers.
• I added some mushrooms: Orange and a bleached one. So excited to see what color it will be. It has orange and green coming through. I think it’s Yuma shroom.
• I added macroalgae: Pom Pom which adds color to the tank. I love it. Want more lol

The Eh:

• Since I added more coral & macroalgae, I noticed that GSP (on the back wall) stoped opening up. I then noticed that the rock and GSP are covered in brown coating… some places on rock has snotty looking strings with air bubbles trapped inside… dino’s? :-/
  • My Nitrate is 2ppm & Phosphate is 0.
  • I’ve been dosing NeoNitro because NO3 has been 0-0.2ppm since beginning.
  • I am now ghost feeding more often to increase PO4, hopefully.
• I have trouble increasing Alk. Currently at 5.5 dkh - highest it ever been (4.0 the lowest).
  • LPS are unhappy
• I still didn’t add fish. Only 3 hermits and 1 snail.

Photos right after adding new coral (2 weeks ago)



Any recommendations on

1. Increasing ALK?
2. Keeping NO3 & PO4 in check? I think it’s the cause for dinos.

You can dose NeoPhos if you don't want to add fish.

 

[PR_nano]

Tank is looking good but I would increase nutrient. The coating you describe could be either Dino or Cyano both of which could be cause by the nutrients.

 

[hahahohol]

7 months update…

The Eh:

• Since I lost the fish in December, the tank has been running fishless
  • My tank is now full of some ~⅛” bug looking creatures…pods? They are devouring algae on back wall.
• I had to move my tank from upstairs to downstairs. I’m always nervous about moving livestock (corals in my case)
  • Surprisingly, corals became happier after the move… how do you explain that?

The Good:

• I purchased 3 fishies: Yellow Watchman Goby, Royal Gramma, & Purple Firefish. Although the LFS said that the fish were quarantined, I’m still observing the 3 new tenants in a quarantine tank (I converted. I am now firm believer - after losing clowns due to brook?). Treating them with PraziPro, just to be safe.

• The main tank is being filled with new coral and overcrowded with LOTS of Pods. I wonder if the ecosystem will be shocked after adding fish from quarantine, sometime next month. They will probably eat all those bugs