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- Aug 17, 2019
- Messages
- 17
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I've had a very successful 55gal in the past, my girlfriend got me a 90gal back in april for my birthday. It's drilled w/ stand, lights, skimmer, plumbing, and the mag9 return pump for $250. I bought a 1300gph powerhead, UV sterilizer, and an RO/DI unit.
Tank cycled at about 3 1/2 weeks, I used the chromis with prime to cycle it quickly. I still waited an extra 2 weeks to make sure before I added any new livestock.
Currently running Socks, GFO, Skimmer, Live rock with chaeto, and mangroves in my sump.
Water change 20% bi-weekly.
I had a GHA battle from hell with this tank, blaming it on the half LR/Base Rock. After dealing with that, and still dealing with it my current setup is;
Parameters are
1.025 Salinity
80°F
PH 8.2
Alk 11
Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrites 0ppm
Nitrates >5ppm
Phosphates >.1ppm
Calcium 440ppm
Mag 1340ppm
GFO is chemipure elite running in socks.
Feeding frozen brine, flakes, and occasional mysis.
Dosing no 2 parts for me I test daily, and dose weekly to bring levels back up for cal and mag individually. PH and Alk dont fluctuate often.
I dose Fluval 3 ions, and phytoplankton for trace minerals and coral growth.
Salt was instant ocean reef Crystal's, but alk is way too high IMO, so have switched to Fritz and am waiting for Alk to come down to a stable 9 or 10ppm rather then the 11ppm I'm at now.
Vodka dosing; with the weaker skimmer I have, I have just stuck to the .4 dose and do it every other day. Even with the bio load I still keep trates under 5ppm at all times, and phosphates less then .1ppm so no need to increase the dosage right?
110lbs of LR/BR about 50/50
2 1/2in sand bed
Fish Livestock
Blue Hippo Tang
2 Clowns
2 Green Chromis( Cycle Fish made it thru )
Coral Beauty
Scooter Blenny
Sandsifting Star
Cleaner Shrimp
50+ Hermits,Snails, etc
3 Emerald Crabs
Current Corals;
Green Star Polyps
Assorted Zoa frags and mini colonies.
Couple Mushrooms and Ricordeas
Purple Pulsing Xenias
Button Poylps
Hammer Spawn (16 hours in tank )
Purple Kenya Tree
Toadstool Leather
Everything seems to be growing and looking healthy and happy. I'm wanting to start adding some sps montis and such. Should I wait a little longer or has my past experience matured my tank quite a bit early?
Just looking for some tips, advice, and criticism.
Thanks for checking it out guys!
Tank cycled at about 3 1/2 weeks, I used the chromis with prime to cycle it quickly. I still waited an extra 2 weeks to make sure before I added any new livestock.
Currently running Socks, GFO, Skimmer, Live rock with chaeto, and mangroves in my sump.
Water change 20% bi-weekly.
I had a GHA battle from hell with this tank, blaming it on the half LR/Base Rock. After dealing with that, and still dealing with it my current setup is;
Parameters are
1.025 Salinity
80°F
PH 8.2
Alk 11
Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrites 0ppm
Nitrates >5ppm
Phosphates >.1ppm
Calcium 440ppm
Mag 1340ppm
GFO is chemipure elite running in socks.
Feeding frozen brine, flakes, and occasional mysis.
Dosing no 2 parts for me I test daily, and dose weekly to bring levels back up for cal and mag individually. PH and Alk dont fluctuate often.
I dose Fluval 3 ions, and phytoplankton for trace minerals and coral growth.
Salt was instant ocean reef Crystal's, but alk is way too high IMO, so have switched to Fritz and am waiting for Alk to come down to a stable 9 or 10ppm rather then the 11ppm I'm at now.
Vodka dosing; with the weaker skimmer I have, I have just stuck to the .4 dose and do it every other day. Even with the bio load I still keep trates under 5ppm at all times, and phosphates less then .1ppm so no need to increase the dosage right?
110lbs of LR/BR about 50/50
2 1/2in sand bed
Fish Livestock
Blue Hippo Tang
2 Clowns
2 Green Chromis( Cycle Fish made it thru )
Coral Beauty
Scooter Blenny
Sandsifting Star
Cleaner Shrimp
50+ Hermits,Snails, etc
3 Emerald Crabs
Current Corals;
Green Star Polyps
Assorted Zoa frags and mini colonies.
Couple Mushrooms and Ricordeas
Purple Pulsing Xenias
Button Poylps
Hammer Spawn (16 hours in tank )
Purple Kenya Tree
Toadstool Leather
Everything seems to be growing and looking healthy and happy. I'm wanting to start adding some sps montis and such. Should I wait a little longer or has my past experience matured my tank quite a bit early?
Just looking for some tips, advice, and criticism.
Thanks for checking it out guys!
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