This is it. My last build thread

[exnisstech]

Just a video update while the glass is clean. Things are plugging along smoothly. The hippo has settled in nicely and has taken over the spot that was previously the niger's. Still have 8 chromis. Harlequin has been MIA for a while and pressumed dead. There's still asterinas so it shouldn't have starved. I don't know what their normal life span is but I had this one for about 16 months. Bubble coral and leathers have been a little funky lately. Not sure what's up but maybe I'll do a few back to back WCs and see if they perk up.

I'm wondering if I should pull the bubble and scrape some of the stuff off the rock that could be irritating it? Problem is there's close to 10 years worth of life there and i can't help but think things along would be best left alone. I'm open to suggestions.
This is a shot deflated. It doesn't look this bad normally.

Tank video

 

[Rocks reef]

I would leave it. Unless you can carefully scrape the ones closest to the fleshband without damaging it.

 

[fishface NJ]

Is this the same tank that has the cabbage?

 

[Tahoe61]

I would leave the Bubble alone. It's an incredible piece.
It's not your 1st rodeo, hopefully the coral will straighten up.
The tank and fish are breath taking.

 

[exnisstech]

Wondering what some of you would do if anything?
Testing today for the first time in 3 weeks and PO4 is flashing 0.9 on Hanna ULR and nitrates 51.3. HR tester. I've been slacking a bit on WCs with nice weather being here but haven't gone longer than 2 weeks and more often than not do them once a week. Total volume is 285g and I've been doing 25g changes. In the past I've run a some rowaphos when I see the flashing 0.9 but I've never bothered lowering it below 0.4. My gut says just roll with things and maybe even stop testing except for alk and just watch the coral and look for signs of nuisance algae which is currently non existent.
@Fish Styx @fishguy242 you guys have been doing this a while and if I remember correctly don't fret high nutrients. Any thoughts?

Coral seem fine. I have some tester SPS and while I wouldn't say they are thriving they aren't dying.

 

[dwest]

I always use enough gfo to keep phosphate measurable on my Hanna. For some reason I just need to be able to know what it is.

 

[exnisstech]

I always use enough gfo to keep phosphate measurable on my Hanna. For some reason I just need to be able to know what it is.

This is exactly what I've been doing in the past and probably should do just for peace of mind but also
I figure I stop testing I won't know its high


I'm sure my over feeding is the cause but my tangs looks so healthy I'm not willing to cut back on feeding based on test results.
Not sure if looking into a new skimmer would be worth it. I'm running an old reef octopus classic 200 int which is rated for a max 250g well stocked tank and I'm a bit over that and probably extremely well stocked based in my feeding schedule. Reading it seems there are mixed opinions about the skimmers effect on N and P so I'm not sure if it would be worth the expense.

 

[X-37B]

Im not a high nutrient fan but I know many make it work.
With that I would pic a range you are comfortable with and just focus on keeping them within whatever that range is when the tanks looking good.
Also not a fan of weekly WC's. I do 5% a month across 6 systems.
Po4 .4-.6 should be easy to hold and no3 at 40-50 the same as an example.
I use 2 oversized skimmers on my 150 and it helps keep po4 useage to a minimum.
Carbon dosing vodka is easy and would benifit the system even if your keeping no3 between 40-50.

 

[Fish Styx]

Wondering what some of you would do if anything?
Testing today for the first time in 3 weeks and PO4 is flashing 0.9 on Hanna ULR and nitrates 51.3. HR tester. I've been slacking a bit on WCs with nice weather being here but haven't gone longer than 2 weeks and more often than not do them once a week. Total volume is 285g and I've been doing 25g changes. In the past I've run a some rowaphos when I see the flashing 0.9 but I've never bothered lowering it below 0.4. My gut says just roll with things and maybe even stop testing except for alk and just watch the coral and look for signs of nuisance algae which is currently non existent.
@Fish Styx @fishguy242 you guys have been doing this a while and if I remember correctly don't fret high nutrients. Any thoughts?

Coral seem fine. I have some tester SPS and while I wouldn't say they are thriving they aren't dying.

If the system is stable and youre seeing growth and solid PE, don't sweat it. PO4 < 1.0 with otherwise stable parameters is a green-light-go, IME. Now, as for the 'trates, I generally run around 20 or so +/-. I would try to lower that slowly until you find your sweet spot, maybe 5 a week and observe. Continue and adhere to your set WC schedule, but increase the volume changed from 10%. Try 20% for the next two or three WCs. Take notes and adjust accordingly. You don't want to bottom out, or you'll likely have to deal with dinos and cyano. So, be mindful. Keep us posted.

There are more ways to skin this cat, and other schools of thought. @X-37B presents a solid plan, too.

 

[dwest]

This is exactly what I've been doing in the past and probably should do just for peace of mind but also
I figure I stop testing I won't know its high


I'm sure my over feeding is the cause but my tangs looks so healthy I'm not willing to cut back on feeding based on test results.
Not sure if looking into a new skimmer would be worth it. I'm running an old reef octopus classic 200 int which is rated for a max 250g well stocked tank and I'm a bit over that and probably extremely well stocked based in my feeding schedule. Reading it seems there are mixed opinions about the skimmers effect on N and P so I'm not sure if it would be worth the expense.

A few years ago I upgraded my skimmer in hopes it would reduce nutrients. No luck!

 

[fishguy242]

Po under 1 ,trates 40-50 fine IMO, keep em steady, keep checking alk & cal,skimmers fine, if not big enough
will just work harder...

 

[exnisstech]

Nothing new to report other than N and P is coming down some.

I had a klir di 7 roller in the basement so I installed that since I'm kinda lazy and let socks over flow. Added some rowaphos and some rox carbon in a reactor. Skimmer still working and ATS is growing like crazy providing a non stop supply of tang food. It gets rank if I leave it wet so I put it in strainer and set it next to the dehumidifier in the basement to dry.

Still doing 25g WCs weekly. I'm really not set up to do larger. I mix in 32g brutes and don't feel like buying larger containers. I figure I can increase frequency if needed but TBH I think I'm just going to roll with NO3 40ppm or less and PO4 somewhere between 0.1 - 0.9 so I at least get a number. Tank looks good which is more important than some test results I suppose.

Reefer 300 is doing well. I had an RTN event a few weeks ago and lost a couple of pieces including a nice colony that I grew from a frag added at the start 3 years ago. Such is life with acropora. I took the opportunity too rearranging the tank to open it up for better flow. Tank is cruising along nicely. I no longer have to dose to keep N and P detectable. AFR is in a doser and I do random 4g WCs and just sit back and watch. I did start skimming when NO3 got close to 10 ppm. The skimmer was already running for aeration so it was just a matter of cleaning it and making an adjustment.
It's pretty fulfilling seeing some of these pieces grown from frags. I wasn't sure how it was going to go since it was my first try at acros. I've decided to just keep an eye on the tank seams and not take any action untill I'm forced to. Heck maybe it will out last me. The way crap is going in the world we may have more important things to worry about than aquariums before its all over. Sorry for being so optimistic

Reefer 300

20 is plugging along still running little to no N & P. I started dosing TM Plus NP. I had a bottle here already so I figure why not. Still got nasty long algae but it only grows on plastic like the back wall and powerheads. I'm scraping it when I do a WC and it seems to be a little slower to return so .
I think I have a fireworm and have read they can bother coral and mollusks so I'm on the lookout for a bristle worm trap that nasarius snails can't get in if anyone one has any suggestions?

IM20

I shut down the little 8g. It never really took off and I have enough going on already. It gives us a little more space in our already cramped house..
Still have the 40g breeder in the basement. I use it for spare corals and like to have it running as an observation tank for new arrivals. I keep a springeri damsel and yellow banded possum wrasse in it.

40g

That's all for now. Time to go out and enjoy some sunshine.n

 

[exnisstech]

I have a photon running on the right end and TBH I'm starting to appreciate the colors under the noops better. Need to see about tweaking the photon a bit.

 

[Fish Styx]

I have a photon running on the right end and TBH I'm starting to appreciate the colors under the noops better. Need to see about tweaking the photon a bit.

I love my noops!