Randy's Dream Methodology

[Reefahholic]

I recently dosed 1ppm of WaterGlass for silicate’s just to see what effect it would have on my Dino’s as they have shrugged off everything I’ve tried. The goal was to target 2ppm over two week’s, but when I hit 1ppm the tank was getting a bit dirty. Not bad, but you could see it was fixing to get out of hand a little. Initially, I saw some really positive effect’s maybe somewhere around 0.5ppm. I definitely think it’s beneficial at lower levels and I can see why you would dose it.

 

[Miami Reef]

@Randy Holmes-Farley

If you had a tank full of acropora frags that you wanted to grow out, what “dream” parameters would you keep?

 

[Crustaceon]

My dream system would use natural sunlight with filters to simulate lighting at 20-30ft in depth, would continuously pump water from the ocean and have it warmed to proper temp before adding to the display on one end. It would of course drain back to the ocean from the opposite end.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

My dream system would use natural sunlight with filters to simulate lighting at 20-30ft in depth, would continuously pump water from the ocean and have it warmed to proper temp before adding to the display on one end. It would of course drain back to the ocean from the opposite end.

That sounds awesome

 

[GobyGuy]

My dream system would use natural sunlight with filters to simulate lighting at 20-30ft in depth, would continuously pump water from the ocean and have it warmed to proper temp before adding to the display on one end. It would of course drain back to the ocean from the opposite end.

House boat with a skylight and plumbing drilled out the side? Haha this would be really cool

 

[Crustaceon]

House boat with a skylight and plumbing drilled out the side? Haha this would be really cool

Imagine the reef tank you could build on a natural gas rig far offshore.

 

[GobyGuy]

Reef Riggin’ now that’s what I wanna do!!

or maybe it’s rig reefin’ hmmm….

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

@Randy Holmes-Farley

If you had a tank full of acropora frags that you wanted to grow out, what “dream” parameters would you keep?

Alk around 10 dKH, pH around 8.4, nitrate 10 -15ppm, phosphate 0.05-0.1 ppm.

 

[Miami Reef]

Alk around 10 dKH, pH around 8.4, nitrate 10 -15ppm, phosphate 0.05-0.1 ppm.

Say less.

 

[SaracensRugby]

Alk around 10 dKH, pH around 8.4, nitrate 10 -15ppm, phosphate 0.05-0.1 ppm.

Probably a long answer, but cliffs notes, why the above parameters? I have read that elevated pH and dKH can lead to elevated growth rates, but interested to hear your "why".

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Probably a long answer, but cliffs notes, why the above parameters? I have read that elevated pH and dKH can lead to elevated growth rates, but interested to hear your "why".

The question being asked to which I gave those parameters was an acropora frag grow out tank, and high growth rate was the driving factor in picking those values.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

The question being asked to which I gave those parameters was an acropora frag grow out tank, and high growth rate was the driving factor in picking those values.

What if time wasn't a factor, nor growth speed, do those values change or make a difference then?

 

[Miami Reef]

What if time wasn't a factor, nor growth speed, do those values change or make a difference then?

If faster growth isn’t needed, Randy recommends an alkalinity from 8-11dKH (except for ULNS which should stay on the lower side). https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/o...-reef-aquarium-by-randy-holmes-farley.173563/

 

[moz71]

What husbandry would I do in a dream tank? and if Mindstream or Seneye comes on line with reliable data, I'd monitor ammonia 24/7 and in different system locations (main tank, exit from refugium, etc.) for interests sake.

Randy, curious why the testing ammonia 24/7? Hoping to learn something here. I haven’t testing for ammonia in years after once tank is established!

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

If faster growth isn’t needed, Randy recommends an alkalinity from 8-11dKH (except for ULNS which should stay on the lower side). https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/o...-reef-aquarium-by-randy-holmes-farley.173563/

Wow that's a good one thanks, gives me some reading

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

What if time wasn't a factor, nor growth speed, do those values change or make a difference then?

If color is more of a goal than growth, I might reduce the alk and nutrients.

 

[thejacgues]

Would you use ozone in your dream methodology? Why?

 

[Doglips56]

I Might try LED lights to save electricity, but I'm not yet convinced I'd like the look

I prefer the look of T5 and am actively weaning my corals away from the LED. To my eye a much more beautiful and crisp look with a combination of ATI bulbs

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Randy, curious why the testing ammonia 24/7? Hoping to learn something here. I haven’t testing for ammonia in years after once tank is established!

Because I want to understand it, not because I am concerned it is too high. I might even want to consider dosing it, as some do.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Would you use ozone in your dream methodology? Why?

I see I didn't mention it. I'd probably use it at low levels on an irregular basis to reduce yellowing of the water.