Hi guys,
I am running a 34 gallon biocube reef, all LPS and softies, with a pair of stubby maroon clowns hosting a RBTA. The nem was doing awesome, and the clowns were thrilled with it. Then the dreaded bubbly snot showed up and got kind of bad. I managed to keep it in check enough that I didn't have any losses except some snails. Microscopic identification confirmed Ostreopsis ovatus. The nem, understandably, started to shrink down and not look nearly as lovely. I started a multiple pronged attack on the dinos, including sucking it out, a few blackouts, peroxide dosing, heavier feedings to increase nutrients, and some of that Vibrant stuff, 1ml/10gal 2x a week. It helped, then I added UV sterilization and the Ostreopsis is gone. However, I do have some amphidinium now, but it isn't too widespread. It pretty much disappears at night and then slowly builds back to very mild levels during the photoperiod. The coral is all looking fine, except my duncan and torch which are making slower recoveries, but there is progress, particularly with the torch. We all know how Duncan's are, and its still alive, but I guess that can take some kind for it to find its mojo again.
The nem really hasn't bounced back terribly well though. Before this all went down, he was probably about 6 or more inches in diameter, nice thick tentacles, and ate well. I am sure the toxins produced by the dinos did a number on it. He had a nice spot that he liked about 2/3 or the way to the bottom of the tank, but when I added some flow to decrease dead spots, he got upset and moved to a stupid spot where he wasn't getting (in my opinion) enough light. I've bonked him with a piece of metal to get him to detach, and relocated him to spots where I think he will be happier, but when the lights go out he moved on his own and finds some stupid spot that can't possibly be good for him.
My nutrients are still a bit elevated, and I plan on keeping it that way for some time to prevent a dino explosion, until I am pretty certain that I have them beaten for the long term. Is there anything I can do to make my nem happier, or is he just going to have to deal with it for months or longer, until I can feel comfortable reducing my nutrient levels? Do nems even care about that?
Here are params, etc
Tank up for about a year
pH 8.15
Alk 10.5
NH3 0
No2 0
No3 50
Po4 0.06
Ca 440
Mg 1490
Salinity 1.024
Testing using all Salifert kits, except PO4- Have a Hanna for that, also refractometer.
Lighting: Steve'sLED upgraded Biocube LED system
Flow: Regular return pump, W-10 wavemaker, JUST ADDED IceCap 1k gyre
Shallow sand bed @ 2"
Skimmer, etc.
Sometimes running purigen and GFO, but not in reactor. No room.
Thanks guys!
I am running a 34 gallon biocube reef, all LPS and softies, with a pair of stubby maroon clowns hosting a RBTA. The nem was doing awesome, and the clowns were thrilled with it. Then the dreaded bubbly snot showed up and got kind of bad. I managed to keep it in check enough that I didn't have any losses except some snails. Microscopic identification confirmed Ostreopsis ovatus. The nem, understandably, started to shrink down and not look nearly as lovely. I started a multiple pronged attack on the dinos, including sucking it out, a few blackouts, peroxide dosing, heavier feedings to increase nutrients, and some of that Vibrant stuff, 1ml/10gal 2x a week. It helped, then I added UV sterilization and the Ostreopsis is gone. However, I do have some amphidinium now, but it isn't too widespread. It pretty much disappears at night and then slowly builds back to very mild levels during the photoperiod. The coral is all looking fine, except my duncan and torch which are making slower recoveries, but there is progress, particularly with the torch. We all know how Duncan's are, and its still alive, but I guess that can take some kind for it to find its mojo again.
The nem really hasn't bounced back terribly well though. Before this all went down, he was probably about 6 or more inches in diameter, nice thick tentacles, and ate well. I am sure the toxins produced by the dinos did a number on it. He had a nice spot that he liked about 2/3 or the way to the bottom of the tank, but when I added some flow to decrease dead spots, he got upset and moved to a stupid spot where he wasn't getting (in my opinion) enough light. I've bonked him with a piece of metal to get him to detach, and relocated him to spots where I think he will be happier, but when the lights go out he moved on his own and finds some stupid spot that can't possibly be good for him.
My nutrients are still a bit elevated, and I plan on keeping it that way for some time to prevent a dino explosion, until I am pretty certain that I have them beaten for the long term. Is there anything I can do to make my nem happier, or is he just going to have to deal with it for months or longer, until I can feel comfortable reducing my nutrient levels? Do nems even care about that?
Here are params, etc
Tank up for about a year
pH 8.15
Alk 10.5
NH3 0
No2 0
No3 50
Po4 0.06
Ca 440
Mg 1490
Salinity 1.024
Testing using all Salifert kits, except PO4- Have a Hanna for that, also refractometer.
Lighting: Steve'sLED upgraded Biocube LED system
Flow: Regular return pump, W-10 wavemaker, JUST ADDED IceCap 1k gyre
Shallow sand bed @ 2"
Skimmer, etc.
Sometimes running purigen and GFO, but not in reactor. No room.
Thanks guys!