spspirates 150 gallon build

[Chris-tico]

I really like what you are doing with the zoas.! a floating zoa garden haha! nicely done!

 

[spspirate]

One of the things I was doing was over dosing the amino acids. I cut way back and the bryopsis and other algae slowed way down. I haven't cleaned my glass all week. I just want to get rid of the bryopsis I can't pull out. My PO4 and NO3 are both reading 0. I think the algae was feeding on the aminos.

Let's keep the focus on what you do since this is your thread.
What is your AA dosing schedule and how much do you dose? My system volume is 140 gal( after displacement from rock ect.) so it's close to yours.

My previous response is what I would do in your situation. It sounds as if the bryopsis is taking up your nitrate and phosphate almost simultaneously as its released in turn giving you a 0 reading.

I dose 2 caps a day of AA to keep it available in the water column all week. I also feed an array of foods. About 3 cubes a day sometimes 4. Now if I wasn't dosing a carbon source I would probably not dose AA and feed less.

 

[spspirate]

I really like what you are doing with the zoas.! a floating zoa garden haha! nicely done!

Thanks! Will be adding more zoas soon and hopefully have the entire rack covered!

 

[spspirate]

Paletta's Blue Montipora. I think it's cool how its starting to plate a little.

 

[spspirate]

 

[spspirate]

This guy is slowly starting to sprout some corallites. Slow.............grower.

 

[spspirate]

Vivid Pink ******* hanging in there.

 

[spspirate]

Blue Millepora acro is starting to take off! This is one of my favorites.

 

[Rob.D]

I don't know how I missed this post but now that I've found it.......I aspire to replicate it!

 

[spspirate]

I just looked through your entire thread and its great. I am in the process of purchasing all the equipment for my first tank. I'm not even ready for the coral knowledge yet but will surely look back at your thread when I am for advice. I do have a question about dosing vinegar, it seems like the best way for nitrate export IMO. How did you figure out what to dose and when did you start dosing. I was planning on running carbon and GFO right off the bat but didn't know about the vinegar. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks for reading!! I know thats a lot to read!! Dosing a carbon source is a great way to export nutrients. If your nitrates and phosphates are at a level that seem to high for you then dosing a carbon source like vinegar would be a good idea. Skimming running carbon and GFO and doing water changes are the top ways to lower nutrients. Dosing a carbon source gives you that added hand in doing so. Here's a great article by Randy-Holmes Farley and Cliff Babcock that will help you out a bit.
http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index...ar-dosing-methodology-for-the-marine-aquarium

 

[spspirate]

I don't know how I missed this post but now that I've found it.......I aspire to replicate it!

Hey Rob! How did you miss this!..Joke.Lol Thanks bro! I can't wait until it fills in. Time I guess....LOl

 

[BigJohnny]

This guy is slowly starting to sprout some corallites. Slow.............grower.

Is that a carolinia?

 

[spspirate]

Is that a carolinia?

Yes, caroliniana

 

[BigJohnny]

Yes, caroliniana

Oh haha, I first typed carolina, then made sure to type carolinia, but it's actually caroliniana? Sure it's not carolinianalanape Indian tribe? Dope coral but heard it's a slow one. My wife wants me to get one just because of the name, she's from north carolina.

 

[BigJohnny]

Btw, what camera do you take your pics with?

 

[spspirate]

Its a awesome coral for sure! The growth form is pretty unique. I'm shooting with a Canon Rebel T3i.

 

[jdccroad]

Looks sweet Andy!

 

[spspirate]

Hey Jim! Thanks for stopping by! It's a work in progress:) I need to stop by the shop soon and see all the goodies you guys have!

 

[FireEMT]

Thanks for reading!! I know thats a lot to read!! Dosing a carbon source is a great way to export nutrients. If your nitrates and phosphates are at a level that seem to high for you then dosing a carbon source like vinegar would be a good idea. Skimming running carbon and GFO and doing water changes are the top ways to lower nutrients. Dosing a carbon source gives you that added hand in doing so. Here's a great article by Randy-Holmes Farley and Cliff Babcock that will help you out a bit.
http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index...ar-dosing-methodology-for-the-marine-aquarium

Awesome, thanks for the information. I haven't started yet but when I do I will start with the GFO and the carbon, as well as the water changes. The article will help me with the carbon dosing. I'm looking at purchasing the vertex omega 180i for the skimmer which I've heard lots of good things about. We will see how it all turns out.

 

[w.gurney77]

Andy, thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.