Megabite's 180 Reef - Round 2

[MegabiteOG]

Thanks, I appreciate the help. I keep finding myself coming back to your thread for helpful advice.

You’re welcome and glad you’ve found my thread helpful to you. I’ve counted on plenty of help from other reefers on here as well.

 

[tbrown]

I’ve got another question, since my alkalinity dropped but then I got it back up, my Monti has gone from the second pic to the 1st pic. Do we think this is too far gone or is a recovery possible?

Recovery is definitely possible. The purple is usually growth but in this case I'd assume it's stress. However, plenty of flesh and still have some PE.

 

[MegabiteOG]

Thursday's AD update. Still chugging along.

3/15/26 to today

4 week span

1 week span

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

Your tank is shaping up nicely! I don't know if you need more flow but they can definitely take more. My Goni's sit at about 200 - 250 par. @steveschuerger for advice on flow as one of the Goni experts on here.

My gonis are only in around 100 par. I didn't realize they could handle that much. Maybe that's why mine aren't doing well.

 

[MegabiteOG]

My gonis are only in around 100 par. I didn't realize they could handle that much. Maybe that's why mine aren't doing well.

I'll put the meter on them if I get a chance today to verify.

 

[MegabiteOG]

My gonis are only in around 100 par. I didn't realize they could handle that much. Maybe that's why mine aren't doing well.

So, they sit at a little more PAR than I thought at just under 300 par when you take the tank cover into account (about an 8% decrease in intensity).

 

[MegabiteOG]

Something new I did today was reconfigure my refugium section adding 4 cups Chaetomorpha macroalgae and a light. Adding a second light once it come in.

Goal is to build a larger pod population, more biodiversity, and help with nutrient export being that I feed like madman.

A few pics.

 

[MegabiteOG]

I think I’m going to design new rock baskets to hang over the weir. They’re sitting on some rock now. I figured I’d get a bit better water flow on the rock below and flow through those basket that will also act as a strainer to help keep the Chaeto from getting to the skimmer and return pumps.

 

[MegabiteOG]

Just started the print on the first of two rock baskets for the fuge.

 

[jonelder68]

I think I’m going to design new rock baskets to hang over the weir. They’re sitting on some rock now. I figured I’d get a bit better water flow on the rock below and flow through those basket that will also act as a strainer to help keep the Chaeto from getting to the skimmer and return pumps.

Just one reason why Pom Pom is superior

 

[MegabiteOG]

I thought of Pom Pom, but reading a bit about both steered me towards the chaetomorpha crassa due to my higher nutrients to start. I may try Pom Pom once nutrients drop.

 

[jonelder68]

I thought of Pom Pom, but reading a bit about both steered me towards the chaetomorpha crassa due to my higher nutrients to start. I may try Pom Pom once nutrients drop.

I’ve grown both and find Pom Pom cleaner and way easier to grow. Never crashes out or anything. I think it’s better at absorbing nutrients also. Or it may just be from it doesn’t grow in a massive clump and becomes a detritus trap? Super easy to harvest also as it grows in individual clumps vs one massive. If you’re not happy with chaeto give Pom Pom a try! I’ve got plenty of you want some it’s outcompeted everything else.

 

[MegabiteOG]

I’ve grown both and find Pom Pom cleaner and way easier to grow. Never crashes out or anything. I think it’s better at absorbing nutrients also. Or it may just be from it doesn’t grow in a massive clump and becomes a detritus trap? Super easy to harvest also as it grows in individual clumps vs one massive. If you’re not happy with chaeto give Pom Pom a try! I’ve got plenty of you want some it’s outcompeted everything else.

Thanks for the info. I like your Vivison light. I have several of their light products for my wife’s plants. They’ve been solid. Which one is that?

 

[MegabiteOG]

Looks like this one Vivison. Really like that it’s dimmable and can control with an app. Also cheaper than 1 of the Tunze lights.

 

[tbrown]

I'm growing Bubble Algae in my basket. I wonder how effective that one is?

 

[fishguy242]

I'm growing Bubble Algae in my basket. I wonder how effective that one is?

Very , and easy to remove if well contained...

 

[MegabiteOG]

I'm growing Bubble Algae in my basket. I wonder how effective that one is?

I'm assuming not on purpose?

Very , and easy to remove if well contained...

Interesting! That's good info to know.

 

[jonelder68]

Looks like this one Vivison. Really like that it’s dimmable and can control with an app. Also cheaper than 1 of the Tunze lights.

Mines not that fancy. Just dimmable knob like in the picture 25, 50, 75, & 100%. No app. I think I paid $50 new from a local hydroponic store as it was last year/older model. Grows macros like crazy! Plus not that horrible pink/purple spectrum.

Model:

The remote 20L is just a viperspectra reef spectrum light with a blue and white adjustment knob. Again nothing fancy and a market place NIB for $65.

Doesn’t take anything fancy. Macros aren’t very picky. I was under the understanding of trying to match DT lighting par to fuge. So both fuges are around 300-350 par last I checked. I’ll change intensity if parameters get high then once back in range dial them back down some. It’s a great tool to have and super effective. I have noticed most all the macros I’ve had love heavy flow. Grow super fast in heavy flow vs slow flow. Stir it around nightly is all I do otherwise.

 

[tbrown]

I'm assuming not on purpose?


Interesting! That's good info to know.

Completely on purpose. I printed a box with weirs, hung it in the sump and added a couple of clumps of bubble algae. Then I printed a stair step ramp for GHA/Turf Algae to grow on and installed it on the weirs. I've tossed several large clumps of bubble algae already.

 

[MegabiteOG]

Completely on purpose. I printed a box with weirs, hung it in the sump and added a couple of clumps of bubble algae. Then I printed a stair step ramp for GHA/Turf Algae to grow on and installed it on the weirs. I've tossed several large clumps of bubble algae already.

Very cool! If you can get a decent pic, I’d love to see it. Or if it’s in your tank build, I will go there and check it out.