Reefer 170 SPS Bonsai (Est. August, 2020)

Spencer · Oct 2, 2020

Tested calc and alk for the first time -- 9.7dKH and 390ppm so pretty good! Haven't started dosing the BRS system just yet.

Outside of the hyperberry, which has faded, the frags look happy! I conceded and decided to position the RP-M's in the more effective but less aesthetic positions...

Even the little no-name LPS test frag, which looked dead (tissue gone, even over mouth)has started coming back. It's hard to say but I swear a couple corallites on some of the corals look fatter!

My light schedule is currently...

Mitras : 9am - 6pm with peak intensity from 1-3pm (Avg. brightness 42% ) - linear ramping to this bright period
Spectrum: 60% Blue + Royal Blue, 50% UV, 50% Hyperviolet, 35% Cool White, 35% Blue White, 35% Sky White, 10% True Green
4x T5's : 11am -3pm

Without a PAR meter, it's somewhat guess-work but let me know what you guys think.

Spencer · Oct 13, 2020

Casual status pic. Nothing crazy. Clean tank! Frags are starting to encrust.

Maybe some new corals at the end of the week!

Just ordered a large 14g ATO reservoir, which will keep the tank gravity-fed! Dosing containers on the way as well, to hook up the GHL Doser! :)

Spencer · Oct 17, 2020

Frags and FTS's Love that 45 degree angle from the front...acro alleyway!

First pic is the only one under more blue light. Everything else is under honest ~15K lighting.

Spencer · Dec 17, 2020

Comprehensive update!
So over the past two months (starting with my first one week trip away from the tank) the SPS frags have been struggling. It's been an "interesting" process trying to decide what the issue(s) might be...I could say 'eh, new tank' but that's too much of an excuse haha. I suspect it's been a few issues...maybe a Mg spike followed by phosphates followed by etc. etc. but it's tough to stay what the current issue is.

The obvious target is tap water (which I treat with Prime) BUT the Triton results don't support this! I was pretty confident I'd see heavy metals or something obvious but nah. To be clear: I had a RODI setup but it seemed like my water pressure was too low to run. Seeing the TDS <5, I figured I'd keep using tap water until the Triton results came in.

Now I realized I made the same mistake I made with my first RODI system when I was 10 years old haha...I immediately convinced myself the red line was waste water (and black was input). Meaning it also seems like I waste $175 on a booster pump ;Dead

Pics below...
Showing off the 15g ATO reservoir I rigged up to a float valve...enough water for ~a month! Ignore the GHL doser balanced on my skimmer
With the other pics, I just want to do a sanity check that my system is plumbed properly. Regarding the three flow pics: "normal" operation around 40psi (left) has the 3:1 waste to output ratio I'd expect, the center image is with the booster pump on (pic is at 65psi, seems like it just boosted the waste water more than anything at...), then the right image is some magic spot with the output flow valve creating ~46psi where after after some shaking, the system went dead silent and was putting out 99% clean water (almost no waste, no pump)

Is that last result...possible? I'm so used to there always being more waste water than clean water (watch Mr. Saltwater Tank's vid for instance).

So Triton results are below. I bought Lugol's for Iodine and KZ Coral System #2 for Strontium, Boron and Bromine. I also got an Eheim Autofeeder and two new types of pellets and a Pygmy/Cherub Angel who eats everything. I've always loved Cherub's and all dwarf angels. Also, the tailspot blenny (my fav and easily fattest fish) got too close to the RP-M one night while eating algae like a hero. Found him with a very clear gash in the morning. :confused:

Screw the Banghai's...I need the tank to be able to run autonomously with dry food and these guys refuse everything. If they don't let me catch them, they may face a hard ultimatum with trying dry food...

Even when I'm not gone, I'd like to keep nutrients stable/regular for the corals.

Spencer · Dec 17, 2020

Anyone want a $10 off BRS card?

Spencer · Feb 1, 2021

Feel guilty not posting any pics but it's been slow going. Nothing really exciting happening. I had some issues in ~December but things have settled since. Waiting to see some more growth (preferably upwards, less encrusting) before buying more coral. Been months since adding anything. Phosphates are a bit high (cyano) but nothing insane. Need to attach trace elements to my fourth dosing channel vs. dosing manually, just been lazy on that.