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Pico's 50 gallon, new corals, not enough space!


picoreef78

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I still need to get a Mespilia globulus to help trim the algae.

 

 

Also thinking of a Elysia crispata.

 

 

 

As far as fish are concern, wanting a few Pterapogon kauderni, but a little worried about the Thor amboinensis residing on my mushrooms.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Mass death, so sad.

 

Checked ater parameters, all looks good. Never had this trouble with the Red Sea Max. All established live stock doing well,.

 

1 Tuxedo Urchine, 3 baggai cardinal fish and 1 dragonate died in 7 days. All new additions, all look healthy and eating in LFS.

 

My Alkalinity was at 3.7 mg/dl, brought it down to 3 mg/dl as my old tank seemed to do very well with that level.

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picoreef78

Ok trying again. 6 C. viridis. Gave them an hour acclimatization.

 

Fed them this morning and they ate happily.

 

Also H2O2 the top rock to kill turf algae. Looks like we have a winner, will need to try other rocks at different time periods as to avoid destroying all the denitrifying bacteria at one time.

 

Did a 20% water change as well a day after the algae control.

 

Still no great growth slow encrustation of the Acropora sp.

 

M. rhobokaki doing well.

 

I still can't get the E. llameosa to color up.

 

No coraline algae either.

 

 



Morning full tank shot. new school of C. viridis and bleached turf algae.

 

post-64561-0-29145400-1399301112_thumb.jpg

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picoreef78

Wow, turned on a feed cycle, which turned off the protein skimmer and return pump. My ATO alarm going crazy. Took a few seconds for me to realize it was setting my automatic feeder to a feed cycle.

 

Water goes down the outflow nozzle, down in to sump, which gets pretty high but does not overflow.

 

10 minute cycle not bad.

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picoreef78

APEX fusion B now running. Finally on the slow path to automation. Just need to get dosing pumps.

 

So expensive. Easy to mix 500 ml and dose about 100 ml buffer, Ca or Mg daily.

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picoreef78

Just ordered a filter sock holder (kept forgetting to get this one), Apex Conductivity module and probe, Apex Automatic feeder food, and Red Sea Coral Pro salt.

 

Found an interesting article on advanced aquarist "

Feature Article: Bacterial Counts in ReefAquarium Water: Baseline Values and Modulation by Carbon Dosing, Protein Skimming, and Granular Activated CarbonFiltration"

 

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2011/3/aafeature

 

found an article somewhere, can't find it again, analyzed bacterial counts in sea salt and found theRed Sea mIx to be particularly high, attributed to how Red Sea uses evaporated sea water for salt base.

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picoreef78

Busy last few days.

 

1. Updated to Apex fusion. Recalibrated my pH probe, drop to 6.99 the after placing in 200 ml of buffer stabilized to 7.88. Have I been off on my pH. Alkalinity stable between 3.2 to 3.7 mEq/l.

 

 

 

Might explain my algal growth despite 0 ppm NO3 and PO4, most resent test of 0.04 ppm PO4,may have to due with the rock I bathed in H2)2. Took it out and another turf algal covered rock placed new dry rock in it.

 

 

2. Updated the Vortech pumps to work with Reeflink on iPhone. hopefully full functionality comes out soon. Programed TSM and NTM into the pumps to help kick up detritus.

 

 

3. Ordered Filter sock holders, filter socks, to help polish up water. Red Sea Pro coral salt (moving from Reef Crystals) and Apex salinity module and probe.

 

Still not getting coral growth I hoped for.

 

GARF purple bonsai, alive, light purple and static.

 

The Stylopora's seamed to have sone the best.

 

Seratopora static

 

Paletta Pink tips,slowly encrusting

 

Pink Lemonade static.

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picoreef78

FTS 5/8/2014

 

post-64561-0-10599900-1399567930_thumb.jpg

 

Close up old rock

 

post-64561-0-71365800-1399567930_thumb.jpg

 

Close up Stylo and Acro sp.

 

post-64561-0-25713800-1399567931_thumb.jpg

 

Close up Red Planet

 

post-64561-0-85306500-1399567931_thumb.jpg

 

Close Up GARF purple bonsai

 

post-64561-0-47645000-1399567932_thumb.jpg

 

Close up Stylo 2

 

post-64561-0-00759900-1399567933_thumb.jpg

 

Photobombed Acro sps Paletta Pink tips

 

post-64561-0-54982900-1399567940_thumb.jpg

 

Close up Seratiopora

 

post-64561-0-26078600-1399567941_thumb.jpg

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picoreef78

Disaster

 

Could not figure out why everything was static and had a high fish mortality. My previous tank ran quite well and IO was putting a lot more effort into this one.

 

The hydrometer I was using was badly calibrated, picked up a new hydrometer over the weekend and tester the water to find the SG of 1.040, terrible.

 

Water changed 10 gallons salt water of 1.021, cleaned out sump, installed filter sock, widened alarm of

ATO.

 

Clean Sump, real filter sock installed

post-64561-0-24121900-1399908630_thumb.jpg

 

Better salinity equal better values

post-64561-0-62944200-1399908634_thumb.jpg

 

 

Halocline, missed the best part

post-64561-0-80761400-1399908636_thumb.jpg

 

Yikes!!

post-64561-0-91557500-1399908637_thumb.jpg

 

Widened the ATO alarm

post-64561-0-19885600-1399908640_thumb.jpg

 

 

Plan to change 1000 ml/day of salt water to RODI water and slowly normalize salinity, goal is 34 ppm



Also getting a mini cycle

 

NO3 0.25 ppm

 

PO4 0.00 (was at 0.04 ppm but took out rock with dead turf algae, I suspect was leeching phosphate into tank, replaced with clean dry rock picture above.

 

Mild dinoflagellates and cyanobacteria.

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  • 2 weeks later...
picoreef78

Will need to update all new happenings.

 

After 10 days salinity finally 35 ppm (34.8 on conductivity probe).

Reorganized sump, better filter socks on getting detritus out.

Magnet to organize probes.

 

Ordered some new corals, going to arrive tomorrow. Hopefully with new hydrometer and conductivity probe (showing about the same salinity) no more stupid errors.

 

So far pH improved to 8.1-8.2 range. Alkalinity also not dropping 1 mEq/wk.

Still having algae trouble. One rock out, new in now covered in hair algae. Need to clean of other rock to replace one covering in turf algae. Cyano outbreak as well.

 

Order Date: 18th May 2014

This order is marked as Shipped

Your Order Contains:

  • 1 x Tyree Pink Lemonade
  • 1 x Apple Acropora Millepora
  • 1 x Candy Apple Pink Palythoa
  • 1 x Milka Stylophora
  • 1 x Fire Gold Zoanthids
  • 1 x Mystic Sunset Montipora
  • 1 x Sweet Magenta Birdsnest
  • 1 x Sweet ORA Red Planet Acropora
  • 1 x Red Dragon Acropora Walindii Deepwater
  • 1 x Tubb's Birdsnest

Looking forward to the Milka Stylophora, so far the two stylophora pisillata specimens I have seem to be doing great no matter how hard I try to kill them!

 

Got another ORA red planet, hopefully this one will thrive and take off.

 

Red dragon looks nice too. Acropora walindii, fun knowing what they are.

 

Another pink lemonade because I like them.

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picoreef78

Corals in and looking good. Actually looking much healthier than the first set of corals I ordered, more polyp extension. Will have comparison photos of the Pink Lemonade (the original piece looking the same, with small white polyps)

Salinity still a bit high 36.9. Low Mg and Ca2+, will need to replace. Alkalinity probably at a good goal.

 

Test:

temp 77.6

pH 7.97

Salinity 36.9

Ca 360

Mg 1200

Alkalinity 3.0

 

PO4- 0.04

NO3- 0.50



I need a good camera but the Milka Stylopora pisillata is one nice looking coral.

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lilmatty5dimes

Buy a refractormeter. With all that those nice pieces would hate to see something worse happen because your SG is off.

Tank is looking great.

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  • 2 weeks later...
picoreef78

I have one, I am just trying to get it back. (Long story, not so nice ex). I bought the Milwaukee digital refractometer. If I don't get it back soon I am going to have to shell out for another one.

 

I have the conductivity meter for the Neptune Apex. Calibrated and reading the 530000, uS/cm at 35 ppt.

 

The hydrometer reading 35 ppt (1.026) but the conductivity meter reading 32 ppt. Which to believe, conductivity meter is probably better.

 

It is looking pretty good now except for some broad leaved algae. Grew quickly.

 

Have small clusters of Asparagopsis taxiformis that came in on a frag discs.

 

Kicking around a phosban reactor vs pellets. NO3 is 0 pp and PO4 is 0.08, not horrible but enough for this stuff to grow and spread (gets blown around and sticks/grows)

 

Get urchin again. Maybe temporary small tang to eat the stuff.

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picoreef78

Will be adding a GFO reactor. My sump space is limited on Two Little Fishes hangs on the side. I am not sure I will have room.

The Cadlights NR 1 can fit into my return chamber and I can use a fine media filter bag.

 

I can also move the Chemi-pure elite to the return chamber instead of leaving it in the first chamber. Will do that now.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Added the Cad lights BR 1 conic reactor and TLF Phosban at 50 g. Thought I could use biopellets if necessary and fit inside the sump vs hang on.

 

Will do slow phosphate removal.

 

I think is is some ulva sp of algae.

 

Corals looking good though this morning looked angry after a quick rock algal scrape and H2O2 rinse.

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I have the same tank and have been thinking of replacing the PVC for the drain below the valve with tubing like you did. Do you remember what size tubing you used?

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  • 1 month later...

Ok was bad an got new corals.

 

Your Order Contains:

  • 1 x Big ORA Glowing Green Birdsnest
  • 1 x LE Pot of Gold Favia
  • 1 x Tropical Rainbow Montipora
  • 1 x Frag Farmer Red Robin Stag
  • 1 x Reverse Sunset Montipora
  • 1 x Wow Reeftech Starburst Montipora
  • 1 x ORA Pearlberry Acropora

Everything elve recovering after GFO start incident.

 

Pink Lemonades encrusting over frag plus well, minimal polyp extension.

Red Planet same.

 

The stylophora's doing well and getting bigger.

 

The Acropora walindii also doubled in size, not much encrusting.

 

Acropora millipora, encrusting over dead portions, not a lot of polyp extension

 

The Montepora sp (Mystic sunset, colored up again and encrusting like crazy, over the frag plug/epoxy putty and starting to encrust onto the rock work.

 

Seratiopora Tubbs birdnest not looking so good, and the magenta one has double in size but now static.

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I bought a Salifert Calcium test kit. Compared to my RedSea Ca test kit, both gave me 430 ppm. As might RedSea Kit runs out will test with Salifert kit to see if I can continue to get consistent measurements.

 

So far the handheld titrate with read sea is a little easier to use. Both have a pretty obvious color change.

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8/2/2014

8/5/2014

8/9/2014

8/14/2014

8/17/2014

79.7

80.1

78.2

77.5

78

1200

1200

1200

1240

1332

420

400

420

430

430

7.80

8.0

7.78

8.01

7.97

3.0

3.5

3.5

3.8

3.6

0

0

0

0

0

0.02

0

0

0.04

0.04

32.3

32.2

31.5

30

30

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New Acropora sps (ORA Pearlberry); new purchase

 

post-64561-0-50837100-1408555360_thumb.jpg

 

Acropora walindii (May purchase) now double in size, the GFO incident did not phase it.

 

post-64561-0-72422200-1408555366_thumb.jpg

 

Acropora sps (ORA Red Planet) suffered with the GFO incident, lost a lot of the nice red polyps, still encrusting on the plug

 

post-64561-0-11207000-1408555371_thumb.jpg

 

Original Acropora sps introduced (Tyree Pink Lemonade) Still encrusting the plug

 

post-64561-0-21706000-1408555385_thumb.jpg

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I also bought BFS Reef Chili. The Acropora nana seemed to like it a who lot. I saw pretty good poly extension with it.

 

If anyone knows the scientific names for some of these corals please share.

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Favia sps (Pot of Gold) New purchase, had this one before and died, now with everything under control hopefully will do well. Really likes the Fauna Marine LPS pellets.

post-64561-0-37348200-1408642393_thumb.jpg

 

Mystery Favia sps (Raptors Favia?) Looking good so far.

post-64561-0-36323100-1408642400_thumb.jpg

 

Front is the Montipora spa (Mystic Sunset) behind is the new Montipora spa (Reverse Sunset)

post-64561-0-20144600-1408642408_thumb.jpg

 

Front is the Montipora spa (Mystic Sunset) has triples in size and encrusted over plug and putty since May. Behind is the new Montipora spa (Reverse Sunset) Far back is the Montipora spa (Tropical Rainbow)

post-64561-0-23664200-1408642638_thumb.jpg

 

Reverse Sunset montipora with polyp extension after Reef Chili feeding

post-64561-0-16220300-1408642782_thumb.jpg

 

Tropical Rainbow montipora (These names are terrible) with polyp extension after Reef Chili Feeding

post-64561-0-23186700-1408642856_thumb.jpg

 

Seratipora guttatus (New buy)

post-64561-0-29954500-1408642890_thumb.jpg

 

Quick sanded view the Echinopora llamas is making a slow comeback

 



I used reef chili for the first time and notice a strong polyp extension reaction.

 

I also noticed for the first time a good bump in my NO3 from 0 ppm to .75 ppm and PO4 from 0.04 to 0.08 ppm. Will have to keep a close eye on this. Changed the filter sock had a bunch of #### in it and also used the NOPOX per guidelines.

 

Having a turf algae problem still, might need to up the amount of Phosban but every time I try to make a modification I get bad effects.

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Messing around with the Red Sea and Salifert Calcium Test Kit, so far 5 tests;

 

Test

1

2

3

4

5

Red Sea

410

420

420

430

430

Salifert

410

430

430

450

450

 

Ran on Graphed Prizm (It is free for me) X 2

 

Table Analyzed Trend data Chi-square Chi-square, df 0.3033, 4 P value 0.9896 P value summary ns One- or two-tailed NA Statistically significant? (alpha<0.05) No Data analyzed Number of rows 5 Number of columns 2

 

 

So far no significant difference between the two tests. Low n (5 so far)

Red Sea trend to be 0-20 ppm less the Salifert

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  • 2 weeks later...

We have a problem.

 

Last two rounds of testing Salifert giving me 450 and Red Sea giving me 370 and 350.

 

The margin of error was acceptable before these last two readings are about 100 ml/l off.

 

Who to trust? I have run out of the Red Sea ca solution. I just received new Salifert kits. I also ran out of magnesium so will have to accept Salifert readings. I can compare alkalinity readings for a little while.

 

Most reefers swear by Salifert kits, we will see.

 

 

 

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