My 150g Cube Journey

[backbayreef]

FTS - iPhone 17, no filter

 

[backbayreef]

Added some SPS frags from the frag tank. They’ve started to encrust so should be safe…

 

[backbayreef]

Slight overkill but I’ve hooked up a DOS to dose diy NOPOX (thanks @Miami Reef, we miss you) and BW Phosphate-E. I got tired of manually dosing PhosphateRx so this is automated. Not fond of the tubes but oh well.

Last month’s params:
54.9ppm Nitrate
0.07ppm Phosphate
10.8dKH Alkalinity

Anyway, SPS is actually growing well in this tank, not as fast as I hope but perhaps stop looking at it? lol

 

[X-37B]

Slight overkill but I’ve hooked up a DOS to dose diy NOPOX (thanks @Miami Reef, we miss you) and BW Phosphate-E. I got tired of manually dosing PhosphateRx so this is automated. Not fond of the tubes but oh well.

Last month’s params:
54.9ppm Nitrate
0.07ppm Phosphate
10.8dKH Alkalinity

Anyway, SPS is actually growing well in this tank, not as fast as I hope but perhaps stop looking at it? lol

Curious as to why you like to run higher dkh?

 

[backbayreef]

Curious as to why you like to run higher dkh?

Good eyes - as you know I have a CaRx and supplemented with a kalk stirrer (Avast K2) on this tank as well. I’ve overshot alk with Kalk at full saturation. This tank’s Trident is broken (likely clogged tubes) and I’m too lazy to fix it. I’m kinda flying blind atm - lol

That said, higher nitrate & higher flow should be ok with higher alk…

All zero readings now! Ugh

 

[X-37B]

Good eyes - as you know I have a CaRx and supplemented with a kalk stirrer (Avast K2) on this tank as well. I’ve overshot alk with Kalk at full saturation. This tank’s Trident is broken (likely clogged tubes) and I’m too lazy to fix it. I’m kinda flying blind atm - lol

All zero readings now! Ugh

Another reason I don't use controllers, lol.
Just bubbles and the Kamoer. I also run kalk 24/7 and have dialed the carx back 50%.

 

[backbayreef]

Another reason I don't use controllers, lol.
Just bubbles and the Kamoer. I also run kalk 24/7 and have dialed the carx back 50%.

Nice! My “controllers” are for monitoring only. I’ve throttled down the CaRx so waiting for tank’s alk to settle. I haven’t tested in 2+ weeks…

 

[X-37B]

Nice! My “controllers” are for monitoring only. I’ve throttled down the CaRx so waiting for tank’s all to settle. I haven’t tested in 2+ weeks…

I ran high alk back in the 90's but now keep it to 7-8.
Some of us ran high alk back then. I had access to a lab for testing and I used to keep alk at these levels back then.

 

[backbayreef]

Random morning pics

 

[backbayreef]

I ran high alk back in the 90's but now keep it to 7-8.
Some of us ran high alk back then. I had access to a lab for testing and I used to keep alk at these levels back then.

I’ve neglected my frag tank several months ago and alk got to 6.65dKH and all the SPS didn’t mind at all. What I’ve noticed — my chalices were not happy! So 7-8 is definitely a good, stable range. :)

 

[backbayreef]

This tank’s water is 5 years old this month, without a WC. I did perform a 30gal WC during the re-aquascape, as part of sucking out a boat load of detritus. It’s fine wine here — no other dosing of trace elements and I haven’t done an ICP test. Somehow things are still doing well and growing so can’t complain.

 

[backbayreef]

Fun weekend - just hooked up an Avast K2 kalk stirrer for the 150gal. Now all 3 tanks got a CaRx, supplemented by kalk. Will need to keep an eye on alkalinity for the next several weeks. I’m hoping to have these acros take off…

@X-37B — will let you know how things go. I now have 2 x K2 and a K1.

It’s been 2wks after kalk and not a coincidence that I’m seeing white tips on all the SPS frags!!! I’m finally digging my old SPS-dominated tank again. I haven’t re-calibrated the pH probe but it’s definitely higher than before.

Anyway, I’m now on a quest for high-end frags for this tank, knowing that things are taking off! lol

 

[backbayreef]

So far, got the following acros:
Walt Disney
Fox Flame
PC Superman
PC Rainbow
TSA Fruity Pebble
Tanzanite Terror
CC Voodoo Majick
ORA Blue Voodoo
ORA Blue Iris
ORA Hawkins Enchinata
Pink Cadillac
Bill Murray
Green Slimer
Grafted Digi
Purple Stylo

I’m in search of a Rainbow Loom or Pikachu…wish me luck! lol

 

[backbayreef]

I’m still perplexed though — this tank can grow SPS faster than my frag tank, which has a similar setup but much higher flow!

I’ll buy another ICP test to compare but every frag I put in this tank 2 weeks ago are taking off vs staying stagnant in the frag tank….

Will try another Tenuis that has been dormant in the frag tank for 6mos to see if it makes a difference…

 

[backbayreef]

Just came back from a 4d vacation and noticed that frags are growing faster now! So — to get your corals to grow faster, stop looking at them! ;)

 

[backbayreef]

Wonderful - I got 2 ich buddies! The Blue Tang had ich but recovered but now the Achilles got some white spots now. No, I’m not going to yank them and QT — will just let them fight it.

Suspect it’s likely due to temp fluctuations? I’m trying to figure out why this tank is running at 80F when the ambient temp is 72F, even at night! It’s likely my 5yo return pump?

 

[backbayreef]

Need to spend more time in the kitchen…daydreaming!

 

[Rocks reef]

Are you still running the CO2 scrubber? Your tank is looking spectacular

 

[backbayreef]

Are you still running the CO2 scrubber? Your tank is looking spectacular

Thank you. I’ve shut it down - not worth the extra gain in pH tbh.

 

[Rocks reef]

What is your pH running without the scrubber? Are you doing anything else to raise it ?