You got the flow cranked up all the way? Interested in hearing more about your flow. Looks like the sand isn't really blowing around, which is a huge problem in my tank.
Randy’s Flock o' Reef Tanks
- Thread starter RandyC
- Start date
RandyC
Supporting Member
I have two mp40s at 50% reef crest and two hygger 18W (1850gph) running at 75%. Probably around 800-1000gph between to two returns.
There is some sand movement, but it's very minimal. Probably so little it's not even worth mentioning. I used 80lbs of Carribsea Special Grade Sand and 20 lbs of Carribsea Ocean Direct Original grade sand.
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RandyC
Supporting Member
IM75 Ext
IM75 has been coasting for the most part. There was a small hiccup with the calcium reactor when I took it apart to clean and replace the media, but other than that, most everything seems to be doing well.
This Reef Raft Red Wing is really taking off as of late and the color is pretty awesome.
April 25, 2025
Jan 30, 2025
November 16, 2024
Aug 23, 2024
July 16, 2024
April 7, 2024
Sept 12, 2023
Feb 17, 2023
Jan 20, 2023
IM75 has been coasting for the most part. There was a small hiccup with the calcium reactor when I took it apart to clean and replace the media, but other than that, most everything seems to be doing well.
This Reef Raft Red Wing is really taking off as of late and the color is pretty awesome.
April 25, 2025
Jan 30, 2025
November 16, 2024
Aug 23, 2024
July 16, 2024
April 7, 2024
Sept 12, 2023
Feb 17, 2023
Jan 20, 2023
RandyC
Supporting Member
That is Battlecorals Cricket Spine. The maroon/fuchsia one with yellow polyps on the right.
RandyC
Supporting Member
150 Gallon Tank
....and the first test acros are in. I probably shoulda have tested the water before I put them in, but we're just winging it over here.
(T-B, L-R)
- Candy Corals Blazing Rainbow, TSA Bill Murray
- Reef Raft Red Wing, Reef Raft Canada Rainbow Splice
I usually put in acros sooner, but i was waiting to finish getting all the parts for the calcium reactor first. I ended finding a decently priced carbon doser that included a spare 5 lb CO2 tank and picked up a really a great deal for a Masterflex 7525-40 peristaltic pump for the feed pump.
An hour after putting them in the tank.
....and the first test acros are in. I probably shoulda have tested the water before I put them in, but we're just winging it over here.
(T-B, L-R)
- Candy Corals Blazing Rainbow, TSA Bill Murray
- Reef Raft Red Wing, Reef Raft Canada Rainbow Splice
I usually put in acros sooner, but i was waiting to finish getting all the parts for the calcium reactor first. I ended finding a decently priced carbon doser that included a spare 5 lb CO2 tank and picked up a really a great deal for a Masterflex 7525-40 peristaltic pump for the feed pump.
An hour after putting them in the tank.
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RandyC
Supporting Member
150 Gallon Tank
I figure I should actually test out my water.
For those wondering, I use Salifert for Alk/Ca/Mg and Hanna checkers for Nitrate (HI782) and Phosphate (HI772).Major elements were a little low and I'll adjust those over the next couple of days.
Alk: 6.2
Ca: 410
Mg: 1200
Nitrate: 0
Phosphate: 0.11
I was actually surprised to see NO3 and PO4 so low since they were 16.9 & 0.2, respectively, 8 days ago before adding chaeto to the fuge, but it looks like the fuge is doing what it's supposed to be and now I'm nitrate limited in reducing phosphate down.
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RandyC
Supporting Member
150 Gallon Tank
I figure I should actually test out my water.
Major elements were a little low and I'll adjust those over the next couple of days.
Alk: 6.2
Ca: 410
Mg: 1200
Nitrate: 0
Phosphate: 0.11
I was actually surprised to see NO3 and PO4 so low since they were 16.9 & 0.2, respectively, 8 days ago before adding chaeto to the fuge, but it looks like the fuge is doing what it's supposed to be and now I'm nitrate limited in reducing phosphate down.
Water parameters the tank is at now. Except for nitrates, I'm at the levels I normally run around.
Alk: 7.8
Ca: 435
Mg: 1365
Nitrate: 0
Phosphate: 0.07
Adjusted parameters a little and turned on the carx with CO2 (running a very high pH - 7.35 - right now, so not much media is being dissolved). In an effort to stave off dinos while I wait for more fish poo to exit QT, I started feeding a little more and dosing sodium nitrate. A variety of CUC was added 3 days ago that I got from reefcleaners.org. Also forgot to mention I added some Galaxy Pods from Algaebarn last Wednesday (4/23).
Good news so far, uglies are still being kept to a minimum and I haven't killed the acros I put in 5 days ago. Keeping fingers crossed.
At least something for sure is growing in this tank.
When I added it on 4/20/2025.Today (4/30/2025). It's definitely thicker and fuller than when I first added it.
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finalphaze987
Supporting Member
Mann...even your tester corals are stellar...
What brand of NaNO3 do you use? I've been using TMP Plus NP, but I like the idea of being able to raise one parameter if my PO4 is in ideal range
What brand of NaNO3 do you use? I've been using TMP Plus NP, but I like the idea of being able to raise one parameter if my PO4 is in ideal range
RandyC
Supporting Member
I try to buy reagent or food grade Sodium Nitrate and mix a solution myself. This is what I used to use, but unfortunately it's not available anymore.
Sodium Nitrate, Reagent Grade... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0190TOJUS?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
So now I use this now, it's only industrial/tech grade (supposed to be 99+% pure), but I haven't seen any issue with it.
I may switch to Potassium Nitrate next round. I seem to always be on the low side of Potassium and food grade potassium nitrate seems to be easier to obtain.
I mix 25g of NaNO3 with RODI to make a liter solution. 1ml of this solution will increase nitrates by 0.8ppm for every 5 gallons of tank water.
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finalphaze987
Supporting Member
Thank you. This helps alot!
I've seen the commercial products available for the same purpose, but much like the TMP one I'm using, doesn't tell you exactly how much it will affect the parameters.
Have you tried compounding it beyond a 2.5% solution?
For PO4 I was thinking about going with KH2PO4 since the industrial grade is readily available, but wanted to run an ICP to get an idea of my levels first. In your experiences with running a fuge upon set up, has NO3 always been your limiting factor? I have an algae reactor I put online, but have yet to stick some chaeto in it from fear of bottoming out. From seeing in your previous post it seems to uptake nutrients rather quickly.
RandyC
Supporting Member
I haven't tried to increase the concentration yet. I've had relatively small tanks (<75 gallons) besides this 150 gallon, so there wasn't a need since a liter of my current solution would last months. If this tank takes more, I'll probably try increasing the concentration.
I feed New Life Spectrum pellets, BRS freeze dried mysis, BRS freeze dried calanus, Reef Chili, and the occasional nori sheet/Algae Wafers and I have seen that I'm usually far more nitrate limited than phosphate. I am usually using high capacity GFO and rarely drop below 0.03ppm in phosphates. I haven't started yet on the 150, but I also find dosing ChaetoGro does help with the growth of the chaeto and does help keep some of the trace elements in balance.