Mike's Red Sea Reefer 525 XL build

[mta_morrow]

That’s a great looking tank Mike

I’ve not read all the thread yet but I’ll catch up!

Thank you Shaun...….its getting there.

I have a lot to do and a lot more to learn to get it to a level like you, @najer, @Fudsey, and so many others.

I'm trying my best to be patient and allow things to settle and mature.

Mike

 

[Fudsey]

I'm just along for the ride, my tank is the one in control...

 

[najer]

I'm just along for the ride, my tank is the one in control...

Yeh that!

 

[Katrina71]

My tank reminds my randomly who is in control.

 

[mta_morrow]

Weekly testing done

Very happy with stable readings

Alk 8.3

Nitrate 16

Phosphate 0

78 deg

 

[RichtheReefer21]

Mikeeeyyyy!

Everything is looking up and up! Keep the faith with the ap battle!

 

[mta_morrow]

So, I don’t like phosphates at 0, 2 weeks in a row.

I backed off from 10 to 5 hours on my algae reactor last night.

And, when I looked in it, it appears that gha is growing and the chaeto is shrinking. Ugh!

I’m going to pull the reactor tonight and check out the chaeto.

If it’s truly shrinking I may pull it. I don’t want it melting like last time and raising nutrients.

While it’s frustrating to keep losing chaeto after growth spurts, it has given me an idea on what to try with my reactor...........

I will post it up when done.

 

[Brew12]

So, I don’t like phosphates at 0, 2 weeks in a row.

I backed off from 10 to 5 hours on my algae reactor last night.

And, when I looked in it, it appears that gha is growing and the chaeto is shrinking. Ugh!

I’m going to pull the reactor tonight and check out the chaeto.

If it’s truly shrinking I may pull it. I don’t want it melting like last time and raising nutrients.

While it’s frustrating to keep losing chaeto after growth spurts, it has given me an idea on what to try with my reactor...........

I will post it up when done.

Are you keeping an eye on your iron levels?

 

[mta_morrow]

Are you keeping an eye on your iron levels?

I have never measured for iron.

I guess it’s time for another test kit?

Any recommendations?

 

[Brew12]

I have never measured for iron.

I guess it’s time for another test kit?

Any recommendations?

The only one I've ever used is the Redsea Pro for iron. Not sure if there are better ones out there. I do know that I have to add iron regularly or my chaeto suffers.

 

[mta_morrow]

The only one I've ever used is the Redsea Pro for iron. Not sure if there are better ones out there. I do know that I have to add iron regularly or my chaeto suffers.

Thanks!

Time to do some research.

 

[mta_morrow]

Oh boy.

The last 3 fish I want are all slated to be on DD tonight!!!!!

All on the same day.

Coral beauty, flame angel, and flametail blenny.

I may have to grill some filets and pop a bottle of wine and tell someone how much I love them ........

 

[Brew12]

Coral beauty, flame angel,

I hope you have better luck than I did with those two. They went through QT together just fine. Within hours of going into the DT the flame started attacking the CB. By the time I was able to catch the CB and sump him, it was beyond saving. I was so frustrated. 30 days together in a QT with zero problem. Ended up rehoming the flame because he became a nipper.

 

[RichtheReefer21]

I hope you have better luck than I did with those two. They went through QT together just fine. Within hours of going into the DT the flame started attacking the CB. By the time I was able to catch the CB and sump him, it was beyond saving. I was so frustrated. 30 days together in a QT with zero problem. Ended up rehoming the flame because he became a nipper.

That's a worst case scenario man. I lost my flame angel too, but he had to go anyways cuz he loved my acans

 

[najer]

I have a captive bred, not raised flame angel, I got her as a baby, she could swim through egg crate, she does have an attitude but doesn't nip corals (much, she pecks all corals to steal food), look out for the cb, I wouldn't try them together!

 

[mta_morrow]

It’s so hard to have everything you REALLY want in this hobby. Compatibility and what may eat what, maybe, maybe not...... and on and on.

I have minimal coral right now, so I guess now is the time to decide.

Perhaps I stay with softies and nems. And some LPS.

I know it’s all a risk, but I love fish first. I get the most joy out of them.

Nems are in 2nd place. I already have the bubble tip and some rock flowers.

I’m patiently waiting for 3 maxi mini nems.

And I really like all the inverts that make their homes in them.

I also have my eyes on a borneman and magnifica.

If I don’t get the fish, I will always wish I tried.

I’m rambling.......

 

[RichtheReefer21]

It’s so hard to have everything you REALLY want in this hobby. Compatibility and what may eat what, maybe, maybe not...... and on and on.

I have minimal coral right now, so I guess now is the time to decide.

Perhaps I stay with softies and nems. And some LPS.

I know it’s all a risk, but I love fish first. I get the most joy out of them.

Nems are in 2nd place. I already have the bubble tip and some rock flowers.

I’m patiently waiting for 3 maxi mini nems.

And I really like all the inverts that make their homes in them.

I also have my eyes on a borneman and magnifica.

If I don’t get the fish, I will always wish I tried.

I’m rambling.......

I've got the answer... 2 tanks!! ;Wacky

 

[mta_morrow]

I've got the answer... 2 tanks!! ;Wacky

That, my friend, will require diamonds..... not a bottle of wine

 

[najer]

It’s so hard to have everything you REALLY want in this hobby. Compatibility and what may eat what, maybe, maybe not...... and on and on.

I have minimal coral right now, so I guess now is the time to decide.

Perhaps I stay with softies and nems. And some LPS.

I know it’s all a risk, but I love fish first. I get the most joy out of them.

Nems are in 2nd place. I already have the bubble tip and some rock flowers.

I’m patiently waiting for 3 maxi mini nems.

And I really like all the inverts that make their homes in them.

I also have my eyes on a borneman and magnifica.

If I don’t get the fish, I will always wish I tried.

I’m rambling.......

Rambling is good, the reason I got the nem is that my sps were thriving, a risk I know, I did move 1 coral during it's first proper walk about last week, your little reef rockpool is yours alone, make it happy with whatever you wan't to take care of.

 

[mta_morrow]

Rambling is good, the reason I got the nem is that my sps were thriving, a risk I know, I did move 1 coral during it's first proper walk about last week, your little reef rockpool is yours alone, make it happy with whatever you wan't to take care of.

Thanks najer, I needed to hear that