My name is Bill and I’m addicted to Reefing

[NaH20nerd]

Hello everyone, I’m a long time follower of R2R and have gained a wealth of knowledge and perspective regarding the hobby. Thought I would begin participating with the group and share my latest adventure with hopes that I can both share my experience and most importantly, gain further knowledge from all the more experienced hobbyists out there.

While I have dabbled in the FOWLR in the past, this is my first attempt at keeping a reef tank. And I’m exceeding my budget already with a Nano 10gallon Aquarium. (Will Likely go bigger later but for now I’m loving the experience).

I’m sticking to LPS and Softies for obvious reasons, and am doing my best to stay within the boundaries of their health and happiness.
So far, I’m happy with the results...and hope you don’t mind me sharing some photos.

Equipment:
10 gal half Moon
Tidal 55 HOB filter
AI Prime LED
Cobalt NeoTherm Heater
Smart ATO system

Inhabitants:
RBTA (Nem)
Hosting a Clown (Orange Slice)
Orchid Dottyback (Prince)
Midas Blenny (Midas)
Fire Shrimp (Cayenne)
Peppermint Shrimp (Pepper)
Astrea Snail
Trochus Snail

Corals:
Mushrooms
Zoanthids
Palythoas
Colt leather
Acans
Xenia
Chalice
Hammer
Star Polyps

Hope you enjoy and feel free to comment!! Thank you in advance for making this forum so interactive!!

 

[JaimeAdams]

Welcome!!!!

 

[KJ]

Nice looking tank Bill and Welcome!!!!

 

[Tahoe61]

Looks great!

Welcome to R2R.

 

[Luno]

Welcome!

 

[rich nyc]

Nice your intro sounded like a support group for addicted reefers. welcome

 

[Krzydmnd]

Nice your intro sounded like a support group for addicted reefers. welcome

Isn't that exactly that R2R is? [emoji6]

 

[DSC reef]

Welcome to R2R

 

[Lovemyreef2015]

Welcome to R2R

 

[DeepBlueSomething]

Welcome to R2R!

Great looking tank!

 

[sebastiaan1985]

Hi Bill

 

[NaH20nerd]

Nice your intro sounded like a support group for addicted reefers. welcome

It’s my version of humor. Glad someone picked up on it.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Welcome to R2R!

I too, am an addict

 

[NaH20nerd]

Well here’s a reluctant update to my tank.

Midas Blenny jumped to his demise. About a week after I got em. (Gonna have to make me a lid).

Started getting a little algae bloom so I added Phosguard. (Dec 17th).
100ml bag.

Dec 22nd added Starry Blenny to aid in hair algae reduction.
Two days later Blenny died. [emoji17]
No signs of stress. Just woke up and found him dead.

Dec 24th...Orchid Dottyback not looking well. Found him dead on Christmas morning. He was my favorite too.

By Dec 26th...clown fish showing signs of stress. Died overnight.

Only noticeable change in water parameters is a sharp drop in KH. Went from 10.2 to 8.1. PH fell a little too from 8.2 to 7.8ish (using API).

Thinking Alk/PH dropped due to overdosing Phosguard? I’ve since removed Phosguard and replaced with PolyFilter and fresh carbon.

All the corals and shrimp/snails are seemingly doing well so I dunno. Woulda thought they’d been the first to go if something was off.

I’m gonna run the tank fishless other than shrimp/snails for a couple of months just in case I had some kinda parasite or disease that I’m not aware of.

In the mean time...trying to figure out why my KH/Alk isn’t staying stable. Do LPS and other softies consume it?! Even if they are...I’m doing 20-30% weekly water changes with IO. Thinking of changing to IO reef crystals. Really bummed about losing all my fish.
Was priding myself on a successful start up without any loss of life.

Here are my current parameters (just in case someone has any other insight).

Salinity 1.025
PH 7.8
Temp 78f
Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrates 0-5ppm
Phosphates .07
KH 7.8dkh
Ca 410ppm
Mg 1440ppm

 

[revhtree]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!


We're happy to have you as a part of our reefing family!

 

[Daltrey]

I would definitely run your tank fallow for a few months. Have you thought of running a QT setup while your DT is fallow?

 

[WWIII]

Welcome to R2R! The water changes could be lowering your alkalinity. Regular IO salt has a dkh of around 8 I believe. I wouldn't think that drop in alk would kill the fish, there may be something else going on? Maybe go back to basics and see how the tank does! Hope it gets better soon!

 

[NaH20nerd]

Thanks Daltrey. QT would be a smart way to go. I may have to get one set up for future use.

WWII...I’m wondering if the lower Alk is allowing for large PH swings. Seems that would have a fatal affect on fish. Only thing I can think of. Also, I started with reg IO and I had KH readings over 10dkh. Up until I handed PhosGuard anyway. But I am going to switch to Reef Crystals. And if I do anymore PhosGuard ...it will be reduced to 1/6 of the 100ml bag. As it is rated to treat 60gal.

 

[Daltrey]

What is the mushroom in the first pic? Looks really nice. I will have to get one of those.

 

[WWIII]

Thanks Daltrey. QT would be a smart way to go. I may have to get one set up for future use.

WWII...I’m wondering if the lower Alk is allowing for large PH swings. Seems that would have a fatal affect on fish. Only thing I can think of. Also, I started with reg IO and I had KH readings over 10dkh. Up until I handed PhosGuard anyway. But I am going to switch to Reef Crystals. And if I do anymore PhosGuard ...it will be reduced to 1/6 of the 100ml bag. As it is rated to treat 60gal.

Someone earlier today was discussing the relationship of gfo, alkalinity, and ph. Interesting, if nothing else!

Fwiw my tank ph swings from around 7.9 to 8.2 daily in my tank and I see no ill effects. My alkalinity remains fairly stable though.