lmfbs' Waterbox 130.4

[lmfbs]

I've had issues with flow moving sand around, so I got some coarser sand (Seachem pearl beach, I already have Seacham Meridian in the tank). I've added this to the parts that always go bald, and so far, so good. I'm thinking of adding an additional powerhead, because one corner especially has very little flow.

I'm also thinking of adding a powerhead to the sump, and a container of rock. Currently I have rock rubble in a mesh bag, but I think popping it in a crate would be heaps easier for cleaning. Is there any kind of plastic I should be really avoiding?

 

[strich]

One particular note I would make on reading this thread (sorry to hear about your troubles!): You might want to consider adding some macroalgae - Its a great phosphate and nitrate sink and it also out competes pest algae for nutrients. You can get some great looking caulerpa for the display tank, or if you don't like the look of it or it gets eaten, keeping a stock in the sump will only be a good thing to do.

 

[lmfbs]

One particular note I would make on reading this thread (sorry to hear about your troubles!): You might want to consider adding some macroalgae - Its a great phosphate and nitrate sink and it also out competes pest algae for nutrients. You can get some great looking caulerpa for the display tank, or if you don't like the look of it or it gets eaten, keeping a stock in the sump will only be a good thing to do.

I've got some chaeto in my sump, actually, but macroalgae is extremely hard to find in NZ - as far as I can tell there's none for sale anywhere. I'm considering a ATS actually, I had one in an old tank and it was great.

 

[monfilsi]

@lmfbs Where did you source the chaeto in NZ? I'm in Auckland and have a hard time finding any.

 

[lmfbs]

@lmfbs Where did you source the chaeto in NZ? I'm in Auckland and have a hard time finding any.

There's heaps floating around Wellington! If you want, I can post you a handful. Just PM me :)

 

[lmfbs]

The 5 mollies have gone into the tank. They're terrified of the yellow kole eye tang (I don't blame them, he's a bit of a jerk to newcomers). They tend to stay on the surface, but seem to be getting braver.

I also slashed out on a bunch of coral:

One of the chalices (which isn't pictured here) was accidentally sold, so the seller sent me a different one instead. I also got a frogspawn which is beautiful.

These pics are taken in my tank, just using an orange and yellow filter. I haven't edited them because I'm lazy.



Okay, but how stunning is this?

This is the chalice I got instead of the one I ordered. I love it even more.

This Favia got stung (the seller warned me and gave me a discount). You can see the sting on the lefthand side. It's looking heaps better this morning.

My alk consumption is already shooting up. The tank has heaps of coralline so uses a surprising amount of kH (I dose 35ml of Redsea Foundation B a day and this will need to increase with more coral).

Anyway - no major update but things are looking okay at the moment! Now I just need to pick where I'm going to mount these corals.

 

[monfilsi]

That rainbow acan is gorgeous! Where did you source it?

I'll be in touch about cheto, think I might be out of room in my sump.

 

[lmfbs]

That rainbow acan is gorgeous! Where did you source it?

I'll be in touch about cheto, think I might be out of room in my sump.

I got it from reef shack - they have another one https://www.reefshack.co.nz/product.php?p=92

I've found them really great to deal with. I was worried it wouldn't be as nicely coloured up in my tank but it looks awesome in real life too!

 

[kevgib67]

Very nice, unfortunately ups and downs come with this hobby but you have weathered the storm.

 

[lmfbs]

Alright, it's been a long while since I updated, and a lot has happened. I'd kind of abandoned this thread because I was feeling bad about my tank.

Basically, no fish or coral, except the fish I already had and some softies, have been surviving in my tank.

I think the issue is the kH (and therefore, pH) is really unstable. The tank grows coralline super fast, and the fish and corals I do have are very happy. I've also been dealing with a GHA outbreak, and super high nitrates (has been 100+ over the last few months)

So, what am I doing:

• I set up an algae scrubber (it's been running for about 10 days)
• I'm changing my filter socks daily
• I'm skimming wetter
• Did a few chunks of lights out for a few days
• I'm dosing vinegar (50ml/day, have been doing this for maybe 2 months)
• I set up an auto water change system (5l/day, it's been running for a week)
• I bought new lights (2 x Viparspectra 165w - they're still on their way to me)
• bought some rx phosphate, but haven't used it
• tried, unsuccessfully, to buy a bunch of snails

And what's changed:

• the GHA isn't gone, but it's WAY more under control
• the algae skimmer is growing algae!
• my nitrate was 56 yesterday (finally testable without dilution on that HR Hanna tester!), and phos 0.2 (which is fine, but actually higher than it's been recently, usually it sits at ~0.08)

What's next:

• I'm going to get some snails
• I'm going to get an ICP test (apparently they are out of stock)
• Set up these lights when they arrive
• Get my kH keeper up and running again (if you're wondering how I possibly have inconsistent kH when I have a kH keeper, dude, join the club)

 

[lmfbs]

Alrighty! Got some new lights, got them up and we've 3D printed a shade for them.

I've hung them at 18 inches, based on this video (and my par meter).

I've received 4 snails and have ordered 2 more. I've also ordered a lawnmower blenny and a foxface, which should help with my GHA issue.

I'm starting to feel quite a bit better about the tank. It's got a long way to go, but it's feeling do-able.