My Little Ocean

LAFANBLUE · May 10, 2019

Well… I figured it is about time I started a build thread. I have pretty much been lurking around here for about 5 years. 3 years ago I started my tank:

Current Hardware
75 gallon display
Trigger Systems Sump
Skimz SM167 MONZTER DC INTERNAL PROTEIN SKIMMER
2 X Kessill 360AWE LED Lights
2 X 54W T5
Neptune Apex Controller
Neptune WAV power heads
Reef Octopus VarioS-6 Return pump
3 x BRS Dosers

Dosing / Salt / Etc
Red Sea Pro Salt
Red Sea ABCD
Red Sea Energy A&B
BRS – Soda Ash
BRS – Calcium Chloride
BRS -- Mag

Parameters
Sal – 35.0
Cal – 445
Alk – 8.2
Mag – 1350
Phos – 0.0
Temp – 78 degrees

Sump

Chaeto in center chamber
Kessil A80

Inhabitants

Numerous Asto Snails
4 x Scarlet Crabs
5 x Emerald Crabs (had huge outbreak of bubble algae)
1 x True Pecula Clown (Rossco)
1 x Gold Spot blenny (Opie)
1 x Pistol shrimp (Tanka)
1 x 6 Line Wrasse (Watermelon)
1 x green clown goby (Hulk)
1 x Juvenile Sailfin Tang, Desjardini (Bubbles)

Corals

1 x Yellow Tip Torch
1 x Peach Torch
Zoas
Birds nets – Recently fragged my emeralds thought they tasted good.
Mushrooms
Acros
Toadstool (has had 3 babies since I got it)
Duncan
Acans (different kinds of the years... fail to keep them alive)
Some others I will take pictures and see if I can get help identifying them

Anyways… my wife and I moved about a year ago and my tanked didn’t really care for that. I lost a bunch of corals and then had the big outbreak of bubble algae and now some aiptasia. Also fighting Vermetid snails… they are everywhere.

I am not currently happy with the Red Sea products seeing very little growth and can’t keep some corals alive. So I have decided as a bunch on here have done to switch over to the AquaForest line of products.

I have been a bit hesitant to post on here how I have been as some people can be a bit cruel when people make mistakes and even after 3 years... I still consider myself a rookie. Well I figure I need to get over the worries and seek help when things go wrong.

I look forward to the help others will provide as I go through this journey. Happy reading.

Here is a pic on Day 1 5/1/2016

Pic 5/10/2019

LAFANBLUE · May 10, 2019

Day 1 - Aquaforest Change

Planned
12 gallon weekly water changes for 2 months
3 Drops of AF Bio S for 14 consecutive days
3 Drops of AF Pro bio S after the 14 days
Convert to AF 1+ 2+ 3+
10 ML AF Life Source weekly (starting 1/3 recommended dose)
Start dosing AF ABEV (Undecided when)

5/10/2019
Tank parameters before water change
Ca = 437
Alk = 8.2
Water change water parameters
Ca = 421
Alk = 7.9

12 gallon water change with Aquaforest Reef Salt
3 Drops of AF Bio S after water change
10 ML AF Life Source after feeding tonight

reef lover · May 10, 2019

Looking good! Thanks for sharing!

ngoodermuth · May 10, 2019

Looks great! *Most* people around here are pretty helpful and supportive, so don’t be afraid to post! Ignore the naysayers

I’m interested to see what you think after switching over to AF.

Dr. Dendrostein · May 10, 2019

LAFANBLUE said:
Well… I figured it is about time I started a build thread. I have pretty much been lurking around here for about 5 years. 3 years ago I started my tank:

Current Hardware
75 gallon display
Trigger Systems Sump
Skimz SM167 MONZTER DC INTERNAL PROTEIN SKIMMER
2 X Kessill 360AWE LED Lights
2 X 54W T5
Neptune Apex Controller
Neptune WAV power heads
Reef Octopus VarioS-6 Return pump
3 x BRS Dosers

Dosing / Salt / Etc
Red Sea Pro Salt
Red Sea ABCD
Red Sea Energy A&B
BRS – Soda Ash
BRS – Calcium Chloride
BRS -- Mag

Parameters
Sal – 35.0
Cal – 445
Alk – 8.2
Mag – 1350
Phos – 0.0
Temp – 78 degrees

Sump

Chaeto in center chamber
Kessil A80

Inhabitants

Numerous Asto Snails
4 x Scarlet Crabs
5 x Emerald Crabs (had huge outbreak of bubble algae)
1 x True Pecula Clown (Rossco)
1 x Gold Spot blenny (Opie)
1 x Pistol shrimp (Tanka)
1 x 6 Line Wrasse (Watermelon)
1 x green clown goby (Hulk)
1 x Juvenile Sailfin Tang, Desjardini (Bubbles)

Corals

1 x Yellow Tip Torch
1 x Peach Torch
Zoas
Birds nets – Recently fragged my emeralds thought they tasted good.
Mushrooms
Acros
Toadstool (has had 3 babies since I got it)
Duncan
Acans (different kinds of the years... fail to keep them alive)
Some others I will take pictures and see if I can get help identifying them

Anyways… my wife and I moved about a year ago and my tanked didn’t really care for that. I lost a bunch of corals and then had the big outbreak of bubble algae and now some aiptasia. Also fighting Vermetid snails… they are everywhere.

I am not currently happy with the Red Sea products seeing very little growth and can’t keep some corals alive. So I have decided as a bunch on here have done to switch over to the AquaForest line of products.

I have been a bit hesitant to post on here how I have been as some people can be a bit cruel when people make mistakes and even after 3 years... I still consider myself a rookie. Well I figure I need to get over the worries and seek help when things go wrong.

I look forward to the help others will provide as I go through this journey. Happy reading.

Here is a pic on Day 1 5/1/2016

Pic 5/10/2019

Thanks for sharing, comrade

LAFANBLUE · May 11, 2019

5/11/2019
Tank parameters
Ca = 441
Alk = 8.1

3 Drops of AF Bio S after water change
10 ML AF Life Source (Didn't do it last night)

Plan for tomorrow is switching out my BRS - Ca and Alk dosing and move to AF 1+ 2+ 3+

Pic after AF Life Source

LAFANBLUE · May 12, 2019

5/12/2019
Tank parameters
Ca = 452
Alk = 8.1
PO4 = 0
Mg = 1320

3 Drops of AF Bio S
Did not switch to AF 1+ 2+ 3+

ScottR · May 12, 2019

LAFANBLUE said:
5/12/2019
Tank parameters
Ca = 452
Alk = 8.1
PO4 = 0
Mg = 1320

3 Drops of AF Bio S
Did not switch to AF 1+ 2+ 3+

Parameters are good. How about NO3? It’s always nice to have a little PO4 though. Although I wouldn’t chase it.

Your tank looks nice. Care to share pics of your corals? I’m following for updates.

LAFANBLUE · May 12, 2019

ScottR said:
Parameters are good. How about NO3? It’s always nice to have a little PO4 though. Although I wouldn’t chase it.

Your tank looks nice. Care to share pics of your corals? I’m following for updates.

Ya... I think been thinking about keeping my chaeto in my sump to a smaller amount.... I haven't tested NO3 in forever.. but will picking up a kit tomorrow. Here are a few pics on my corals from 5/10. Sorry for cappy cell phone pics.

Also you can see from the pics I have a big problem with Vermetid snails

ScottR · May 13, 2019

LAFANBLUE said:
Ya... I think been thinking about keeping my chaeto in my sump to a smaller amount.... I haven't tested NO3 in forever.. but will picking up a kit tomorrow. Here are a few pics on my corals from 5/10. Sorry for cappy cell phone pics.

Also you can see from the pics I have a big problem with Vermetid snails

Looks nice! Great coralline growth. SPS looks healthy. Thanks for sharing

LAFANBLUE · May 14, 2019

5/13/2019
Tank parameters
Ca = 451 (Hanna)
Alk = 8.2 (Hanna)
PO4 = .05 (Received new regeants for my Hanna)
Mg = 1320 (Salifert)
NO3 = 0 (Salifert)

3 Drops of AF Bio S
3 Drops each of AF ABEV - 30 min after lights out
Did not switch to AF 1+ 2+ 3+ (Might have to wait till Friday)

So the only thing I have changed so far is the 12 gallon water change of AF Reef Salt, 10 ml AF Life Source, 3 Drops daily of AF Bio S and 3 Drops each of AF ABEV... Doing those Monday, Wednesday, Friday

Still dosing BRS Alk and Ca with BRS Doser - Ca 15 x 1 min per day about 16ml per day, Alk 17 x 1 min per day about 18.7 ml per day.

FishyFish · May 14, 2019

Wow those are some nice corals. I really like the white one with the purple tips in the second to last picture, which kind of coral is that if you don't mind my asking?

I'm glad you decided to post your build, almost everyone here is really patient and supportive, even when I'm asking for help because I've done something dumb.

LAFANBLUE · May 14, 2019

Wish I knew what that is. Most of what I have I came from LFS around the area. Nobody could tell me. Maybe some folks here would have and idea. I have had that about 2 years. Pretty slow grower

LAFANBLUE · May 14, 2019

5/14/2019
Tank parameters
Ca = 429 (Hanna)
Alk = 8.0 (Hanna)
PO4 = .00 (Hanna)
Mg = 1320 (Salifert)
NO3 = 0 (Salifert)

3 Drops of AF Bio S

Still no switch to AF 1+ 2+ 3+

Small drop in Alk and Ca. Can't get a reading on PO4 or NO3... but I know I have some in there because I have to clean a dusting off the glass ever other day.

Still dosing BRS Alk and Ca with BRS Doser - Ca 15 x 1 min per day about 16ml per day, Alk 17 x 1 min per day about 18.7 ml per day. Going to leave these the same unless tomorrow it drops again.

No additions to the tank... I keep a bit of grape macro algae caulerpa in the display. I personally like it... I keep it under control

Full tank shot

LAFANBLUE · May 16, 2019

5/16/2019
Tank parameters
Ca = 461 (Hanna)
Alk = 8.0 (Hanna)
PO4 = .16 (Hanna) - Interesting ready today
Mg = 1320 (Salifert)
NO3 = 0 (Salifert) - I can never get a reading.. always clear as the water

3 Drops of AF Bio S -- Also did this on 5/15 with the 3 drops of AF ABEV

Still no switch to AF 1+ 2+ 3+

Planning 12 Gallon water change with AF Reef Salt tomorrow
On Saturday 5/18 changing out to AF 1+ 2+ 3+

LAFANBLUE · May 17, 2019

5/17/2019
Tank parameters
Ca = 438 (Hanna)
Alk = 8.0 (Hanna)
PO4 = .02 (Hanna)
Mg = 1320 (Salifert)
NO3 = 1 (Salifert) - Got a very very very light pink today

3 Drops of AF Bio S
12 Gallon Water change with AF Reef Salt
Switched to AF 1+ 2+ 3+

LAFANBLUE · May 18, 2019

So I measure parameters this morning after switching to AF 1+ 2+ 3+ last night

5/18/2019 - Morning
Tank parameters
Ca = 418 (Hanna) Down a bit
Alk = 7.9 (Hanna) Down a bit
Mg = 1350 (Salifert)

All looks good in the tank.

Current settings on the dosing - 1+ at the top of the hour, 2+ at :15, 3+ at :30 (18 x 1 min per day) Will increase if Ca drops on my next test.

If Time 01:00 to 01:01 Then ON
If Time 02:00 to 02:01 Then ON
If Time 03:00 to 03:01 Then ON
If Time 04:00 to 04:01 Then ON
If Time 05:00 to 05:01 Then ON
If Time 06:00 to 06:01 Then ON
If Time 07:00 to 07:01 Then ON
If Time 08:00 to 08:01 Then ON
If Time 09:00 to 09:01 Then ON
If Time 10:00 to 10:01 Then ON
If Time 12:00 to 12:01 Then ON
If Time 14:00 to 14:01 Then ON
If Time 16:00 to 16:01 Then ON
If Time 17:00 to 17:01 Then ON
If Time 18:00 to 18:01 Then ON
If Time 21:00 to 21:01 Then ON
If Time 22:00 to 22:01 Then ON
If Time 23:00 to 23:01 Then ON

LAFANBLUE · May 19, 2019

Parameters after full day on AF 1+ 2+ 3+

5/19/2019 - Morning
Tank parameters
Ca = 452 (Hanna)
Alk = 7.8 (Hanna) Down a bit
Mg = 1320 (Salifert) Down a bit
PO4 = .12
NO3 = 1

I did dose 10ml of AF Life Source late yesterday and 3 drops of AF Bio S

Here are some pics of my equipment

LAFANBLUE · May 20, 2019

5/19/2019 - Evening
Tank parameters
Ca = 474 (Hanna) Bit high
Alk = 7.7 (Hanna) Down a bit
Mg = 1320 (Salifert) Down a bit
PO4 = .12
NO3 = 1

Tonight
Dose 3 drops of AF Bio S
Dose 3 drops of AF ABEV

LAFANBLUE · May 21, 2019

5/20/2019 - Evening
Tank parameters
Ca = 444 (Hanna)
Alk = 7.6 (Hanna) has dropped .1 every day for the last 4 days. I think this dosing pump doesn't dose as much as other ones.. Added 2 rounds
Mg = 1350 (Salifert) Down a bit
PO4 = .02 was .03 yesterday didn't update that right in the readings above
NO3 = 1

Tonight
Dose 3 drops of AF Bio S