JJ's Red Sea Reefer 250 G2+

[OctaviusBrine]

I had a hard time with hammers and torches for the first 6 months. Torches survived but the hammers just wouldn’t make it. What parameters you got goin on.

Once you start seeing some coraline growing you will know it’s starting to balance out.

 

[tuscani]

I had a hard time with hammers and torches for the first 6 months. Torches survived but the hammers just wouldn’t make it. What parameters you got goin on.

Once you start seeing some coraline growing you will know it’s starting to balance out.

Thx. Currently sitting at:

Salinity = 1.024
pH = 7.9
Alkalinity (dKH) = 7.7
Calcium (Ca2) = 499
Magnesium (Mg2) = 1370
Nitrate (N03) = 14.6
Phosphate (P04) = 0.10

 

[tuscani]

New parameters... It looks like after 10 weeks I am at the point where I will start weekly water changes.

Salinity = 1.024
pH = 7.7
Alkalinity (dKH) = 6.0
Calcium (Ca2) = 497
Magnesium (Mg2) = 1430
Nitrate (N03) = 19.6
Phosphate (P04) = 0.12

Also, I think my LFS steered me wrong.. they sold me a Blue Maxima Clam and say it needed really high flow and no mention of PAR. I am working to increase my intensity as I am only running about 50%. But increasing 1% a day currently. PAR at the highest part of my tank is only about 150-225. Ugh.

 

[tuscani]

Clam still looks good but not holding my breath.. Lights are now at 60% with the following PAR.. so got a ways to go.

Couple new additions to the tank as well..

2 - Gold Ring Cowrie Snails
2 - Mexican Turbo Snails
1 - Tomini Tang
1 - Gold Midas Blenny

 

[tuscani]

Here is a quick update vid with new Bubble Gum Montipora Digitata

 

[OctaviusBrine]

Looking good!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Here is a quick update vid with new Bubble Gum Montipora Digitata

Your tank is doing great!

 

[tuscani]

Thanks! It is coming along nicely.. I am happy only three months in!

 

[tuscani]

So even though euphylia hates me, my Lobo and Leather seem to be thriving (and of course GSP and Zoa as well)



I am curious, any concerns with how the Lobo is sitting here? Too close to sand? For the leather, should I consider removing it from frag plug?

 

[tuscani]

I got my ICP results back from ATI.. overall I think I am looking ok.. aside from elevated PO4 and NO3 which I am working on getting lower with more frequent water changes. Hopefully I start to see some better trace elements with this AFR. Right now I am only dosing 10ml day.

Oh and here is an updated tank vid.. ignore the ticked off GSP.. I am moved the rock as I am it to grow up the back :)

 

[tuscani]

I do have bubble algae popping up so trying to decide my plan of attack there.. tank is too small for foxface, emerald crabs were a no go for me in the past as they ate coral and the Vibrant horror stories terrify me LOL So thinking I will see how far I get with manual removal.

 

[tuscani]

Had a jumper tonight! So I have had my lid off for few days while working on the bubble algae. Not really thinking much about it.. well tonight I am on the couch watching TV (which I rarely do) and I hear a flop! Looked on the floor and there lays my Mandarin Dragonet! Yikes. I quickly scooped him up and placed him back in. Hope he is ok. I will say, of all the fish, I would have expected the jumper to be a one of my blennies. :)

I am just glad I happened to be in the vicinity and hear him fall!

 

[tuscani]

Quick tank update.. I think I was able to get most of the bubble algae removed.

Even with 20% water changes, I am not making much of a dent on the nutrients.

Have not seen much of a drop with the reefmat either. Plan to give it more time. I also started just a little Nopox.. planning to just do 2ml a few times a week and testing daily so nothing drops too quick. Use AFR has really helped keep things stable and I no longer have had to dose anything else. Currently doing 15ml a day.

Salinity = 1.026
pH = 8.0
Alkalinity (dKH) = 8.5
Calcium (Ca2) = 456
Magnesium (Mg2) = 1280
Nitrate (N03) = 19.5
Phosphate (P04) = 0.21

Also, finally rehomed the blue hippo. He grew so fast. Only took me two days to catch him. LOL. The Nyos trap was the winner. Replaced it with a Flame Angel. The Tomini tang started bulling him and the Angel hid for two days. Using a mirror distracted the tang enough and now everyone seems happy.

 

[tuscani]

Couple updates for me here..

Replaced a few pieces of equipment:

1. Bubble Magnus 5 Skimmer replaced with Red Sea RSK 300
2. Replaced SICCE Syncra Silent 3.0 with a Red Sea 5500

Figured I already had the ReefRun controller with an extra pump spot so might as well take advantage. These DC pumps are so much nicer! I cannot believe how quiet they run. Also added a few new coral and inverts:

1 - Pink Tip Torch
1 - Cotton Candy Micromussa (Thanks @chad vossen)
2 - Pitho Crab
1 - Caribbean Feather Duster
5 - Lightning Dove Snail
5 - Astraea Snails

I know I said I would never get another crab, but hoping these Pithos work out a bit better and bubble algae is kicking my butt.

Current parameters:

Salinity = 1.026
pH = 8.6
Alkalinity (dKH) = 8.8
Calcium (Ca2) = 478
Magnesium (Mg2) = 1345
Nitrate (N03) = 15.4
Phosphate (P04) = 0.14

 

[tuscani]

Quick tank update. Things going well.. starting to get some nice growth overall, especially with GSP wall! Nem seems settled as well. Has not moved in a month.

However, been running into some testing errors, or so I hope.

Mag shows 1800 (blinking)
Cal shows 600 (blinking)
pH shows 8.6 (blinking)
P04 went from .27 to .03 in a week (highly unlikely)

Lots of craziness here and I suspect something is up with my Hanna HI97115 or my sample. Only thing I can think of, is the tank water sat out for an hour before I tested. Not sure how much that matters. I plan to retest tomorrow.

Couple new corals

1 - Heartbreaker Acropora
1 - Miyagi Tort Acropora