Also if you need to switch off your lights, it is not a big deal. Corals go out without light during storms, hurricanes, whale sex, etc. as someone (forget who) here is always saying.
Tank Parameters all over the place
- Thread starter spuri87
- Start date
PjFish
Supporting Member
Alot of great suggestions here sounds like you may have a game plan which is ??
Your tank is still a baby not even a toddler like Wil @Turkeysammich is implying and ever so true most babies don’t walk and talk at six months!
From the very very beginning your LFS who set up the tank was dosing LC most likely from the new rocks and sand which can take three to 12 months depending on the amount of build up inside the rocks plus water changes until they even out and stop leaching. Honestly I never add any rocks unless they’ve been soaking for at least six months or longer with water changes in between. I want to see that yellow snot ( sponge growth) and feel the slime coating before adding to DT..
So especially with the added bio load combined with not enough nutrient export ( water changes, Turf Scrubber, less feeding, refugium etc) you will never resolve your situation!! I wish there was a magic dosing potion!! That sulfur reactor sounds interesting never explored that before. Totally on board with ICP plus an aquabio dna test plus can confirm you beat ick with the latter test..Dilution is the Solution with more dilution water changes weekly with less feeding will be the immediate impact your looking for reducing numbers until you get a handle! Either reducing bio load or better export! Just keep it simple! Best of luck
Your tank is still a baby not even a toddler like Wil @Turkeysammich is implying and ever so true most babies don’t walk and talk at six months!
From the very very beginning your LFS who set up the tank was dosing LC most likely from the new rocks and sand which can take three to 12 months depending on the amount of build up inside the rocks plus water changes until they even out and stop leaching. Honestly I never add any rocks unless they’ve been soaking for at least six months or longer with water changes in between. I want to see that yellow snot ( sponge growth) and feel the slime coating before adding to DT..
So especially with the added bio load combined with not enough nutrient export ( water changes, Turf Scrubber, less feeding, refugium etc) you will never resolve your situation!! I wish there was a magic dosing potion!! That sulfur reactor sounds interesting never explored that before. Totally on board with ICP plus an aquabio dna test plus can confirm you beat ick with the latter test..Dilution is the Solution with more dilution water changes weekly with less feeding will be the immediate impact your looking for reducing numbers until you get a handle! Either reducing bio load or better export! Just keep it simple! Best of luck
Short term plan:
- 1. Refugium: Got Chaeto from very generous @PizzaOven, added that to the sump.. Light @popper gave to me came useful as I didnt need to buy a refugium light for growing chaeto.. Thanks Max.. 8 AM to 5 PM main display lights are ON.. 5 PM to 8 AM refugium light is turned ON.. thanks again to Andrew for the suggestion around lighting schedule.
- 2. Water change: Did a 20% (~40gallons) water change today.. Change 20-25% water 1x every week for 2 months.
- 3. Replace Rowaphos (125g) every 2 weeks.
- 4. Test Phosphates, Nitrates, pH and Alk once every week (wish I could do more, but setting a practical goal for myself)
- 1x 25% water change and 1x 10% water change every month.
- If Chaeto doesn't work, buy ATS.. thanks @PjFish for the suggestion, I read a lot about it and it felt like a solution that might work on my system.
- Start dosing Vinegar/Vodka
- Start looking at Ca, Mg more seriously and dose as necessary.
Kensington Reefer
Supporting Member
10% water change is a waste of time.....
I like the analogy of a "fart in an elevator"
the more fresh air, the better!!
tribbitt
Supporting Member
Dosing vodka and vinegar only works if you're skimming. Do you have a skimmer going?
Interesting, I checked a few posts on R2R where people do like 1% daily change and can swear by it.. is it is a waste of time given my nutrients level are so high that 10% wont help or in general anything less than 25% is useless?
Kensington Reefer
Supporting Member
don't tell him that!!
at least not yet!
Yes, I do have a skimmer
Kensington Reefer
Supporting Member
I have some of the oldest fish here
I've been at it longer than most
my methods are remarkably simple
If the solution to pollution is dilution...
Then change as much as possible as often as possible
also, by doing so, you will replenish the depleted ions in the new water
I do a 3 gallon water change daily on my 209 gallon system with AWC. It has helped kept my tank stable. I also siphon out detritus like once a month. I think once you have a handle on your nutrients, you should implement something like this.
I also do a daily water change of 1.4 gal on a 65 gallon which comes out to 10 gal a week or 15%. Overall 60% a month or more like 50% as some new water gets replaced.
But i don’t have to match salinity /temp/alk as it’s being done automated over time (2 hours) the main one. I do find the consistency helps the tank.
Yeah I read quite a few posts similar to this.. 1% AWC helped a ton.. way to go before I implement something like this though!
Thanks for sharing your experience and so glad to know it works for youThanks Michael, yes need a pump to get that up and running.. will add that to the system soon..
I was recently given a sicce syncra silent 1.5 that will work for it.
awesome, if you aren't planning to use it, I will gladly use it with the reactor.. really really appreciate it Michael!
Np meeting tonight but free tomorrow and Wednesday after work thus far just let me know. You have my number
Are these also AWC (I am assuming yes, but want to confirm).. I really want a setup like that:
- RODI barrel --> ATO (triggered by sensors)
- Saltwater barrel --> tank (draining x% from the main tank and re-filling fresh saltwater every y days)
You will want a controller of some type. I can envision alot of fail points which can go wrong how your stating it.
A controller can have rules added making safety measures to greatly reduce risks.
There. Are likey vidoes on how to set it up. And people. who already do it that could likely give you advice as well.
yea sorry it was just a 1000 ft view
will definitely need a controller for automating stuff to make my life easier