The Digi Forest
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Electrobes
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Thanks!
So an update on the current tank status: In short, things are currently not well, and it's most likely my fault. I've been both negligent and distracted, dealing with other new things in my life. IN short, more trips, started working out diligently, and working on major house issues. All in all I've been exhausted for the last two months. Either way, it's all just a lame excuse for not being better about my tank.
- I had not calibrated my dosing pump in months, and recently discovered it was astoundingly off, in the surplus range, which really sucks. While I continuously rechecked and modified the amounts for calcium and alkalinity, my vinegar dosing was never changed. it was adding close to 4X the amount, which thankfully isn't nearly as bad as it sounds. I was adding to the near bottom of the suggested amount, giving me enough of a cushion to not affect the tank as badly. Even still, this was something that I should have not let happen. I have since re calibrated, and all three parameters are back on track.
- My tank was still looking bad, to the point that one of my healthiest mini-colonies started to RTN. Oh boy, was I annoyed. In all of this, I've always kept up with testing, and parameters were never too whacky. I finally decided to check the salinity and bingo, it's a problem. My bloody water is at about 30ppt. I am already mixing up new water to add to the tank. Hopefully this is the source of my issues.
- My new faux gravel bed looks like crap. I am hoping it'll eventually morph to a coralline haven, but for now it looks like funk.
Here's hoping to a better month.
So an update on the current tank status: In short, things are currently not well, and it's most likely my fault. I've been both negligent and distracted, dealing with other new things in my life. IN short, more trips, started working out diligently, and working on major house issues. All in all I've been exhausted for the last two months. Either way, it's all just a lame excuse for not being better about my tank.
- I had not calibrated my dosing pump in months, and recently discovered it was astoundingly off, in the surplus range, which really sucks. While I continuously rechecked and modified the amounts for calcium and alkalinity, my vinegar dosing was never changed. it was adding close to 4X the amount, which thankfully isn't nearly as bad as it sounds. I was adding to the near bottom of the suggested amount, giving me enough of a cushion to not affect the tank as badly. Even still, this was something that I should have not let happen. I have since re calibrated, and all three parameters are back on track.
- My tank was still looking bad, to the point that one of my healthiest mini-colonies started to RTN. Oh boy, was I annoyed. In all of this, I've always kept up with testing, and parameters were never too whacky. I finally decided to check the salinity and bingo, it's a problem. My bloody water is at about 30ppt. I am already mixing up new water to add to the tank. Hopefully this is the source of my issues.
- My new faux gravel bed looks like crap. I am hoping it'll eventually morph to a coralline haven, but for now it looks like funk.
Here's hoping to a better month.
Daytonareefing
Active Member
I was wondering where you bought your blue clam its very nice.
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Electrobes
Valuable Member
It was a father's day present in 2012, from Diver's Den. :)
OP
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Electrobes
Valuable Member
Thanks! I have to admit while the tank isn't going nuclear, its definitely depressing me. I'm being patient, slowly raising the salinity, but its killing me at how slow I have to do it. I am doing a 25G water tomorrow, it should put the water heater to where its supposed to be in all parameters.
While I was at it, I made a new tool. It'll help kick the funk hiding on the faux bed. We'll see just how effective it is.
While I was at it, I made a new tool. It'll help kick the funk hiding on the faux bed. We'll see just how effective it is.
OP
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Electrobes
Valuable Member
It is almost done, just a few touch ups and it'll be ready to go.
OP
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Electrobes
Valuable Member
Thanks! Here it is in final form:
Other good news:
- My salinity is back to 35ppt.
- I am doing a water change today, about 25G.. This should be a help in getting things back on track, but I will definitely test the new make up water... Last thing I want are nutty parameters.
Other good news:
- My salinity is back to 35ppt.
- I am doing a water change today, about 25G.. This should be a help in getting things back on track, but I will definitely test the new make up water... Last thing I want are nutty parameters.
OP
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Electrobes
Valuable Member
Hi, It's just a fiberglass rod, some super glue and zip ties, and as for the pump.. it's a Hydor Pico pump.
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Electrobes
Valuable Member
I apologize for the terrible pictures. I just finished my tank fix up day and naturally the tank is a bit upset. I did various things today:
- The water change went well, all 25G of it.
- I took out the skimmer and skimmer pump, and gave them a vinegar scrub. I am now waiting for the skimmer to re-break in.
- Using a PAR meter, I tested each coral location and discovered a couple interesting measurements. I rearranged some of the bulbs, taking out an Actinic bulb, and replacing it with a AB+. I finally got the right PAR tland spectrum that should make all the corals happy.
Here's to things getting better from now on!
- The water change went well, all 25G of it.
- I took out the skimmer and skimmer pump, and gave them a vinegar scrub. I am now waiting for the skimmer to re-break in.
- Using a PAR meter, I tested each coral location and discovered a couple interesting measurements. I rearranged some of the bulbs, taking out an Actinic bulb, and replacing it with a AB+. I finally got the right PAR tland spectrum that should make all the corals happy.
Here's to things getting better from now on!
OP
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Electrobes
Valuable Member
Tested the tank's water after the fun yesterday and it's doing pretty well:
- Alkalinity: 7.6 dKh
- Calcium: 470 ppm
- Magnesium: 1400 ppm
- Salinity: 35 ppt
Despite the corals and faux bed looking like poo, least the water and fish look great!
- Alkalinity: 7.6 dKh
- Calcium: 470 ppm
- Magnesium: 1400 ppm
- Salinity: 35 ppt
Despite the corals and faux bed looking like poo, least the water and fish look great!
OP
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Electrobes
Valuable Member
Using the Hanna Checker, I got a reading of 0.00 - Not where I want it but I guess it could be worse.
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Electrobes
Valuable Member
Some better news this morning after viewing the tank, some of the very upset Digis are looking a bit normal, namely the German Blue Polyp. The tank overall is looking better. Despite seeing a bit of un-fun algaes on the faux bed, they no longer look threatening as opposed to completing the cycle. At this point, I will let the tank chug along unhindered with anything as I feel this will be best for it to get over this "funk hump".
Thus far the Digis that now seem okay are:
- German Blue Polyp
- Purple
- Half of the Green
- Digi frags fastened to the faux bottom: Green, ROAB, Bubblegum, and even the Orange.
- The Hybrid frags
- Forest Fire frags
The Digis that still look horrible:
- Pink Smoothie (One of three just about RTN'd completely)
- Superman frags on it's own rock
- Unknown Orange frags towards the front
- Half of the Green frags
Everything else is doing really well including:
- Every single fish
- All three clams, even the Derasa in it's new spot in the tank.
Adjustments:
- My Alkalinity went from 7.6 dKh to 7.3 dKh, while the doser was on with the prior specified amount. I did an adjustment dose to make the Alkalinity to 8.0dKh, and increased the normal dosage to keep the dKh at 8.0 dKh.
- Calcium dropped from 470 ppm to 455 ppm, meaning the tank is consuming about 15 ppm per day. I am going to let this drop to about 400-420 ppm and adjust the doser to keep the parameter steady there.
Other thoughts: I've constructed this tank with the thought of simplicity being the aim. So long as the tank is healthy, I want as simple tank as possible.. even with my penchant for finding out cool and novel ways for the tank to thrive more. With that in mind here are some things I'm thinking about:
- I have a decent amount of space in my sump, before the skimmer. I don't have proof yet, but I worry I don't have enough mechanisms to convert Ammonia all the way to Nitrates. I have very low Nitrates, 0 Phosphates, but something was off when I did my water change. I saw the color in my water out, and it was alarming, at best. I will purchase an Ammonia test kit to help conform my worries. If this is the case, I may add something to the sump to help with this potential problem.. maybe just more live rock. Should this be the case, I will be aiming for actual live rock from a place like Tampa Bay Saltwater, as the drive isn't murderously far from me.
- I am considering dosing a little Iodine to the system to help with what I suspect is a bit of bleaching, due to the minor bulb change.
- I still believe my vinegar dosing, in conjunction with my skimmer is a great filtration method. Both Nitrates and Phosphates are rather low (Though I may do well trying to get a little more Phosphates in the system). The skimmate is about the right consistency and color... not too dark nor too wet. My vinegar dosage is very low given current schematics, but I see no reason to increase it. Thinking about all of this, it occurred to me that I never really decided where my tank sits in terms of Methods.
Things like, Is my new tank a low nutrient low Alkalinity tank? If that's the case, I would consider lowering my Alkalinity, but I think I feed the fish too much for my tank to be considered so. So maybe my tank should be more into the higher nutrient type tanks... but even that is questionable as I don't feed my corals... just indirectly via the specialized feedings to the fish. Meh, at this rate, I'll settle for getting my corals healthy again, and maybe worry about this later. :lol:
Thus far the Digis that now seem okay are:
- German Blue Polyp
- Purple
- Half of the Green
- Digi frags fastened to the faux bottom: Green, ROAB, Bubblegum, and even the Orange.
- The Hybrid frags
- Forest Fire frags
The Digis that still look horrible:
- Pink Smoothie (One of three just about RTN'd completely)
- Superman frags on it's own rock
- Unknown Orange frags towards the front
- Half of the Green frags
Everything else is doing really well including:
- Every single fish
- All three clams, even the Derasa in it's new spot in the tank.
Adjustments:
- My Alkalinity went from 7.6 dKh to 7.3 dKh, while the doser was on with the prior specified amount. I did an adjustment dose to make the Alkalinity to 8.0dKh, and increased the normal dosage to keep the dKh at 8.0 dKh.
- Calcium dropped from 470 ppm to 455 ppm, meaning the tank is consuming about 15 ppm per day. I am going to let this drop to about 400-420 ppm and adjust the doser to keep the parameter steady there.
Other thoughts: I've constructed this tank with the thought of simplicity being the aim. So long as the tank is healthy, I want as simple tank as possible.. even with my penchant for finding out cool and novel ways for the tank to thrive more. With that in mind here are some things I'm thinking about:
- I have a decent amount of space in my sump, before the skimmer. I don't have proof yet, but I worry I don't have enough mechanisms to convert Ammonia all the way to Nitrates. I have very low Nitrates, 0 Phosphates, but something was off when I did my water change. I saw the color in my water out, and it was alarming, at best. I will purchase an Ammonia test kit to help conform my worries. If this is the case, I may add something to the sump to help with this potential problem.. maybe just more live rock. Should this be the case, I will be aiming for actual live rock from a place like Tampa Bay Saltwater, as the drive isn't murderously far from me.
- I am considering dosing a little Iodine to the system to help with what I suspect is a bit of bleaching, due to the minor bulb change.
- I still believe my vinegar dosing, in conjunction with my skimmer is a great filtration method. Both Nitrates and Phosphates are rather low (Though I may do well trying to get a little more Phosphates in the system). The skimmate is about the right consistency and color... not too dark nor too wet. My vinegar dosage is very low given current schematics, but I see no reason to increase it. Thinking about all of this, it occurred to me that I never really decided where my tank sits in terms of Methods.
Things like, Is my new tank a low nutrient low Alkalinity tank? If that's the case, I would consider lowering my Alkalinity, but I think I feed the fish too much for my tank to be considered so. So maybe my tank should be more into the higher nutrient type tanks... but even that is questionable as I don't feed my corals... just indirectly via the specialized feedings to the fish. Meh, at this rate, I'll settle for getting my corals healthy again, and maybe worry about this later. :lol:
Last edited:
SeahorseKeeper
Where's the mysis?
Sorry to hear about the troubles you have had recently. At least it sounds like things are turning around.
OP
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Electrobes
Valuable Member
Thanks Krista, while I'd like to say things look better, the Digis that weren't faring as well are starting to die unfortunately. I kind of feel like d2mini or Sanjay when they experienced unexpected die off. It really sucks considering my earlier success with this tank and suddenly it went downhill for a variety, yet terrible, reasons. :( Here's hoping the corals turnaround sometime soon!
OP
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Electrobes
Valuable Member
Argh, the Pink Digi is plummeting fast. Half the frags are dead.
At this rate there isn't much to do but wait. All the parameters are in check. I see no pests, I am pretty sure its just the stress.
At the moment, isolated from what's going on with the tank, I am closer to not only adding some live rock rubble to my sump (And adding a night phase lighting to it), but may end up replacing my Pink Digi rock with new Live Rock as well. I feel the need for some diversity of live in my tank.. It just feels barren.
At this rate there isn't much to do but wait. All the parameters are in check. I see no pests, I am pretty sure its just the stress.
At the moment, isolated from what's going on with the tank, I am closer to not only adding some live rock rubble to my sump (And adding a night phase lighting to it), but may end up replacing my Pink Digi rock with new Live Rock as well. I feel the need for some diversity of live in my tank.. It just feels barren.
OP
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Electrobes
Valuable Member
I spoke at length with a fellow reefer I know. From that discussion, came a few decisions. We're sure the stress of removing the gravel bed and installing the faux bed is the source of the corals' problems. Time should heal this problem.
- My filtration method I used was just fine, but it should be tweaked. With the filter socks and carbon dosing, I will also employ a weekly water change instead of a monster once every two or three weeks. Smaller water changes deals out less stress. I can also keep a closer eye on salinity, and avoid my earlier problem.
So after talking to said friend of mine, I decided on a couple things:
- I am going to stick with filter socks, but will replace my aging set. I will also experiment with mesh filter socks.
- Carbon dosing (Vinegar) will continue as before.. I briefly considered against it, but after reviewing my thoughts via science, I quickly discarded that idea.
- I am going to redo (slightly) my rock work. I am going to remove the dead frags off the smaller rock, and keep it. I am going to remove the frags off the faux bottom, and stick a new piece of live rock to the right of the tank, placing the Blue Squamosa closer to the middle, as my show piece.
- I built a light that can be hung in front of the filter socks. This will be my temporary frag tank as needed. When not in use, I remove the bulb and put the splash screen back in place.
Here are some pics of the stressed corals:
- My filtration method I used was just fine, but it should be tweaked. With the filter socks and carbon dosing, I will also employ a weekly water change instead of a monster once every two or three weeks. Smaller water changes deals out less stress. I can also keep a closer eye on salinity, and avoid my earlier problem.
So after talking to said friend of mine, I decided on a couple things:
- I am going to stick with filter socks, but will replace my aging set. I will also experiment with mesh filter socks.
- Carbon dosing (Vinegar) will continue as before.. I briefly considered against it, but after reviewing my thoughts via science, I quickly discarded that idea.
- I am going to redo (slightly) my rock work. I am going to remove the dead frags off the smaller rock, and keep it. I am going to remove the frags off the faux bottom, and stick a new piece of live rock to the right of the tank, placing the Blue Squamosa closer to the middle, as my show piece.
- I built a light that can be hung in front of the filter socks. This will be my temporary frag tank as needed. When not in use, I remove the bulb and put the splash screen back in place.
Here are some pics of the stressed corals:
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Electrobes
Valuable Member
As with stressful events, I typically clean to help cope. So here's a cleaned out sump:
Those drip loop wires drive me nuts... But I feel good about having them.
Those drip loop wires drive me nuts... But I feel good about having them.
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