Lurking danger 75g Dragon Lair

[vlangel]

My PO4 is still reading the same with my Salifert test kit. I am wondering if it is faulty. The intank filter with PhosGuard is operating so it should be bringing down PO4. I guess I need to buy another test kit.

However under the category of what is going right, the uglies are diminishing. I am doing multiple things to combat them beside trying to get PO4 and NO3 in balance. I am dosing Stability and PNS to outcompete them. I am both stirring the sand daily and using my oversized UV sterilizer, as long as the tank water stays under 82°F. I also reduced the white and red channels of my ReefBreeder Photon light, (although my tank is still whiter than many reefs). It's encouraging that the sandbed is improving but I wished I had a better handle on what factors are affecting the uglies.

 

[carol3]

What are your numbers and what are you hoping to get them to?

 

[vlangel]

What are your numbers and what are you hoping to get them to?

My NO3 was 10 and PO4 always measures .5. However a friend tested with his test kits and he got lower PO4 .3. I am trying to keep my alkalinity at 8 and since I am using All For Reef I am not testing calcium or magnesium. I figure that AFR will stay in balance if my alk is good. I am using around 20ml a day and I can see that some of my coral are definitely growing. I would like my NO3 to be between 10-15 and PO4 to be .2 if possible because I still like macroalgae and they need nutrients. Right now my only macroalgae flourishing is codium but I still have a little gracilaria hayi that I am hoping gets established. Also my mangroves are growing albeit slowly. In general except the uglies, the tank looks really good. I will try and take a fts some time today.

Also I just bought a Hanna checker PO4 test kit and a new Salifert NO3 test kit. They come Friday.

 

[vlangel]

 

[vlangel]

I was dosing 10ml of AFR daily but the alkalinity is slowly decreasing so I am going to try 20ml daily.
I tested PO4 and NO3 with my current Salifert test kits. PO4 is .25 and NO3 10. When my new test kits arrive I will retest and compare.
My little Maxima clam seems to be looking better. I think its in a good spot that has flow but not too much plus its pretty high in the tank. It sits nicely cradled in the half shell that I put it in and I am dosing phyteo daily upstream of it.
The new poccilipora always has good PE and the new monticap looksalthough it hasn't changed much since I got it. I am pretty sure the new Kenya tree is growing. The xenia continue to pulse. I was told if they stop pulsing that is your sign that something is off. They are the canary in the mine coral.
The scroll, trumpets and toadstool leather are getting big and look very nice.
I think I can say that nothing looks bad except the sandbed and its better than it was!

 

[vlangel]

My new test kits arrived last night so I tested with them this .morning. Hanna checker PO4 was .65 and Salifert NO3 was 15. I like the nitrate numbers but I'd sure like to get the phosphates down to around .2 if possible. I may put some chemipure in the canister and see if that helps. What I don't want to do is accidently strip PO4.

 

[vlangel]

Last night and this morning I worked on making a DIY surface skimmer from an old nano HOB overflow box. It was very easy, I just took the wet side of the overflow box got a magnet and attached it in the corner where the intake tubing to the canister is. I had to cut the intake tubing since the wet side of the overflow box is an Eshopps nano but that is OK. It looks tidy since that area has a dark backround and works. I do have to run the water a little higher and I will need to watch evaporation closer so the box doesnt run empty.

Someday when Rice Krispies, the murderous pistol shrimp passes on, I may use his 2 and a half gallon tank as a FW reservoir for an ATO. It sits on a rustic crate (that holds my towels for the tank) in the right hand back corner of the 75g. That's a perfect spot for an ATO because there is already a small opening in the glass top so the mangroves can grow there.

 

[vlangel]

Yesterday was maintenance day for both the display and the 20g QT in the cabinet of the display. My better half wants to buy me fish for Mother's Day which is so nice. I did an 8g water change, cleaned the glass and siphoned the sandbed of the 75g. I checked the alkalinity, had already done PO4 and NO3 earlier in the week and the tank seems stable and ready for more fish.

I also did a water change in the 20g QT plus added artificial decor to the live rock so fish feel safe. This is first an observation tank for new fish but I can treat fish with medications if need be or if only one fish seems to need treatment, I could catch it and treat in my spare 10g tank.

This is all part of my new protocol to minimize the risk of another disease event like I experienced several months ago. Although that was only the 2nd such occurrence in 25+ years of reef keeping, it was heartbreaking to lose 7 or 8 fish (I can't remember for sure) and some of those were long time pets. I accept that there are still risks but this should reduce it drastically along with feeding well and the normal things I do to reduce stress for my new fish.

 

[vlangel]

Yesterday's fish store excursion was fun. It's a very nice store and the fish are quarantined before selling. They looked wonderful and prices were terrific. I bought a Coral Beauty, 2 yellow tail damsels and a bangaii cardinal. They had a sweet little Purple tang but I feel my tank is a bit small for a Purple tang so I did not get it. It sure was tempting though.
I also bought a glass top (for the QT) and a tube anemone at another lfs on the way. I've never had a tube anemone and this one is black and very striking!
The new fish have settled into the 20g QT nicely and some were already eating yesterday. I will take some pics soon.

 

[kevgib67]

Yesterday's fish store excursion was fun. It's a very nice store and the fish are quarantined before selling. They looked wonderful and prices were terrific. I bought a Coral Beauty, 2 yellow tail damsels and a bangaii cardinal. They had a sweet little Purple tang but I feel my tank is a bit small for a Purple tang so I did not get it. It sure was tempting though.
I also bought a glass top (for the QT) and a tube anemone at another lfs on the way. I've never had a tube anemone and this one is black and very striking!
The new fish have settled into the 20g QT nicely and some were already eating yesterday. I will take some pics soon.

Looking forward to pictures Dawn! I’ve been on the lookout for tube anemones, nice score.

 

[Tahoe61]

Yesterday's fish store excursion was fun. It's a very nice store and the fish are quarantined before selling. They looked wonderful and prices were terrific. I bought a Coral Beauty, 2 yellow tail damsels and a bangaii cardinal. They had a sweet little Purple tang but I feel my tank is a bit small for a Purple tang so I did not get it. It sure was tempting though.
I also bought a glass top (for the QT) and a tube anemone at another lfs on the way. I've never had a tube anemone and this one is black and very striking!
The new fish have settled into the 20g QT nicely and some were already eating yesterday. I will take some pics soon.

Wow, that's quite the score!!!!

 

[vlangel]

Looking forward to pictures Dawn! I’ve been on the lookout for tube anemones, nice score.

Wow, that's quite the score!!!!

Yes, my husband treated me well for Mother's Day!
Here are pics although I couldn't get any of the new fish in the QT except 1 damsel.

 

[vlangel]

A friend fragged my scroll coral for me and sent me home with some beautiful frags from his tanks.

 

[vlangel]

More pics!

 

[vlangel]

 

[kevgib67]

Beautiful Dawn!!!

 

[vlangel]

Beautiful Dawn!!!

Thanks Kevin!

 

[vlangel]

Today I saw both damsels and the Coral Beauty eating spiralina brine shrimp. I am feeling good about them eventually transitioning into the display. Unfortunately, I have not even seen the Bangaii cardinalfish for about 3 days so I am not feeling very optimistic about it.

 

[kevgib67]

Today I saw both damsels and the Coral Beauty eating spiralina brine shrimp. I am feeling good about them eventually transitioning into the display. Unfortunately, I have not even seen the Bangaii cardinalfish for about 3 days so I am not feeling very optimistic about it.

I wanted to post the money and crying emoji ! I hope the Bangai shows up.

 

[vlangel]

I wanted to post the money and crying emoji ! I hope the Bangai shows up.

I know, its a bummer. The Bangaii was not being harassed so there was no obvious reason for it not to flourish. I have a lot of fake plants, fake coral ect... for the fish to hide behind so it may well be in there and ok but its not swimming around freely like the others.