Tank is 81 days old, started with marcos rocks.
Parameter Snap Shot: (full trend Parameters below)
pH 8.0
Alk 8.7
Nitrate 0.0
Phosphate 0.16
Salinity 34.6
Temp 78.0
Calcium 440
Magnesium 1320
Nitrates and phosphates have been zero pretty consistently. I’ve tried increasing feedings and dosing reef roids a few times a week. I had one little spike in phosphate, but nothing for nitrate.
filtration wise I’m running a skimmer w/ CO2 scrubber, activated carbon and floss. I’ve stopped doing water changes since nitrate and phosphates are low. I only change floss when it gets clogged up.
I tried the paper towel test to check for Dino’s and all I saw is one little strand in the glass. Not sure if this is positive or not. I have a microscope on order, but USPS is being slow as usual.
2 days ago, I killed the lights to see what happens. It seems like the stuff has stopped growing and phosphates have come up to 0.16, nitrates are still 0. Alk and calcium are now rising and pH is lower than normal 8.3-8.5) since the lights are out, but they’ve been pretty steady since I’m dosing All For Reef 4.8 mL/day. Only coral in the tank is a ricordea
If I brush the stuff off of the rocks, it comes back in a day or so.
I have some Microbacter Start XLM & Vibrant on hand, but haven’t used. I’ve got some nitrate and phosphates on order to try DIY dosing them.
Ok… now that you know what I’ve done….
My questions:
1. what do you think this is?
2. Do I need to be intervening? How?
What’s growing on my rocks?
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Parameter Snap Shot: (full trend Parameters below)
pH 8.0
Alk 8.7
Nitrate 0.0
Phosphate 0.16
Salinity 34.6
Temp 78.0
Calcium 440
Magnesium 1320
Nitrates and phosphates have been zero pretty consistently. I’ve tried increasing feedings and dosing reef roids a few times a week. I had one little spike in phosphate, but nothing for nitrate.
filtration wise I’m running a skimmer w/ CO2 scrubber, activated carbon and floss. I’ve stopped doing water changes since nitrate and phosphates are low. I only change floss when it gets clogged up.
I tried the paper towel test to check for Dino’s and all I saw is one little strand in the glass. Not sure if this is positive or not. I have a microscope on order, but USPS is being slow as usual.
2 days ago, I killed the lights to see what happens. It seems like the stuff has stopped growing and phosphates have come up to 0.16, nitrates are still 0. Alk and calcium are now rising and pH is lower than normal 8.3-8.5) since the lights are out, but they’ve been pretty steady since I’m dosing All For Reef 4.8 mL/day. Only coral in the tank is a ricordea
If I brush the stuff off of the rocks, it comes back in a day or so.
I have some Microbacter Start XLM & Vibrant on hand, but haven’t used. I’ve got some nitrate and phosphates on order to try DIY dosing them.
Ok… now that you know what I’ve done….
My questions:
1. what do you think this is?
2. Do I need to be intervening? How?