Jump to content
ReefCleaners.org

Help with Direction on my Parameters


Renstar

Recommended Posts

I started my tank going on 2 months ago or so. You can see my full tank specs in my build but I'll give you a quick synopsis. 4 fish and a lot of coral. I feed once a day either pellets/mysis shrimp/brine shrimp(as a snack). I feel liberally. I'm not sure if my system is running too clean though for the corals. These are my params based on tests for 1 full week averaged out.

 

Ammonia: 0

Nitrite: 0

Nitrate: 0

PO4: < .03

PH: 8.0-8.2

Calcium: 420-440

AK: 8.5-9

Mag: Unknown(Receiving a test kit tomorrow)

 

For chemical filtration I'm currently using Filter floss, purigen and chemi pure elite in my InTank media basket. I picked up a BRS reactor that I was just going to run only carbon and remove my chemipure. Since the chemipure has FO I'm thinking I might get a spike in phosphates but I have GFO ready to go in case I do.

 

Dosing I've been getting rid of this bottle of Aquavitro seed that I have. Once that's all gone that will stop. Acropower is done 1.25ml every other day. Continuum Coralline purple cx 2ml every other day. Acropower is the only thing I'll be continuing after the bottles are complete.

 

Water change schedule is simple I do approximately 3 1/2 - 4 gallon water change every Sunday with Red Sea Coral Pro salt. I'm very religious when it comes to my water schedule specifically because this is my "alone time" from the soon to be wife.

 

My concern is that I'm running too clean for my sps growth. I could let things go a bit and either feed more or stop with my water changes etc. I'm not a big fan of growing hair algae or cyano so in my head I would rather be meticulous with WC and everything else then have to deal with an outbreak.

 

Am I doing too much? Am I doing the right amount? What your thoughts? I'm new to the hobby and have done quite a lot of reading but sometimes its easier to ask questions regarding your specific set up.

 

Thank you all in advance.

Link to comment

what test kits did you use? usually sps need slightly cleaner tanks that are more stable i.e not jumping up or down, but everything seams good, alot of this hobby is by feel. the coral is your best idea on how things are going, youre off to a great start.

Link to comment

Do you feed your corals anything or do you just feed the fish? Something like reef roids or food that is small enough for your sps to eat would help.

Link to comment

what test kits did you use? usually sps need slightly cleaner tanks that are more stable i.e not jumping up or down, but everything seams good, alot of this hobby is by feel. the coral is your best idea on how things are going, youre off to a great start.

 

I forgot to mention that sorry. I'm using API test kits for Ammonia/Nitrite/Nitrate/PH/AK/Calc. I then retest Nitrite, Nitrate, Calc and AK with Salifert and additionally test PO4. I like to get a better idea of numbers using 2 test kits.

 

I've been keeping my eye on my parameters daily since I started the tank. It's been stable for 2 weeks now but didn't start testing PO4 until last week.

 

 

Do you feed your corals anything or do you just feed the fish? Something like reef roids or food that is small enough for your sps to eat would help.

 

Thanks Stella I actually completely forgot to mention my coral feeding habits. When I feed Mysis shrimp I give the smaller pieces to some LPS corals. Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday I do Reef Roids. Tuesday and Friday I do two little fishes phytoplan. I recently started Acropower but this is what I calculated my schedule to be. 2ml Sunday (after wc), Tuesday (1ml), Friday (2ml).

Link to comment

I forgot to mention that sorry. I'm using API test kits for Ammonia/Nitrite/Nitrate/PH/AK/Calc. I then retest Nitrite, Nitrate, Calc and AK with Salifert and additionally test PO4. I like to get a better idea of numbers using 2 test kits.

 

I've been keeping my eye on my parameters daily since I started the tank. It's been stable for 2 weeks now but didn't start testing PO4 until last week.

 

 

 

 

Thanks Stella I actually completely forgot to mention my coral feeding habits. When I feed Mysis shrimp I give the smaller pieces to some LPS corals. Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday I do Reef Roids. Tuesday and Friday I do two little fishes phytoplan. I recently started Acropower but this is what I calculated my schedule to be. 2ml Sunday (after wc), Tuesday (1ml), Friday (2ml).

I think it sounds like you're doing the right things. I looked through your build thread. The only thing I would mention is your tank is really really young for SPS. Generally train of thought is they need a well-established, mature tank to thrive as they do not like fluctuations in parameters such ask alk, calcium, magnesium, salinity, temp, etc. so it sounds like you're on the right track but I wouldn't be surprised if you lose some sps before your tank is truly established.

 

Forgot to say welcome to N-R! There are so may helpful people on this forum and tons of good info! I see you're in Connecticut! I am as well!

Link to comment

I think it sounds like you're doing the right things. I looked through your build thread. The only thing I would mention is your tank is really really young for SPS. Generally train of thought is they need a well-established, mature tank to thrive as they do not like fluctuations in parameters such ask alk, calcium, magnesium, salinity, temp, etc. so it sounds like you're on the right track but I wouldn't be surprised if you lose some sps before your tank is truly established.

 

Forgot to say welcome to N-R! There are so may helpful people on this forum and tons of good info! I see you're in Connecticut! I am as well!

It is pretty young but I'm hoping I don't lose "too" many as long as I keep my parameters in check. I wouldn't be incredibly surprised if I did. I tried to pick more of the "hardier" SPS pieces. As long as I don't lose my higher end SPS pieces I'll be happy. What are your thoughts on the time frame of a truly established tank? I've always struggled trying to find the answer to that one.

 

Thanks! This site has been a huge resource for me. I don't think I would have been 1/100th as successful if it wasn't for the people and the info here. What are some of your favorite FS in CT? I think I've visited almost every one with the exception of a couple down by the shore.

Link to comment

It is pretty young but I'm hoping I don't lose "too" many as long as I keep my parameters in check. I wouldn't be incredibly surprised if I did. I tried to pick more of the "hardier" SPS pieces. As long as I don't lose my higher end SPS pieces I'll be happy. What are your thoughts on the time frame of a truly established tank? I've always struggled trying to find the answer to that one.

 

Thanks! This site has been a huge resource for me. I don't think I would have been 1/100th as successful if it wasn't for the people and the info here. What are some of your favorite FS in CT? I think I've visited almost every one with the exception of a couple down by the shore.

I really don't think a tank hits its stride until at least 6 months, probably more. It needs time to build up all that fauna such as little tube worms, pods, micro life etc and the biofilter. I noticed that when I transferred to my new tank last November, even though I had established rock from my biocube, I still had fluctuating parameters with phosphates, nitrates. I still am since everything is still establishing.

 

In my area of CT, there aren't a lot of options for fish stores!! However I like Wet Pets in Vernon and shoreline Pets in old saybrook. Shoreline just opened last year actually. Which area of CT are you in?

Link to comment

I really don't think a tank hits its stride until at least 6 months, probably more. It needs time to build up all that fauna such as little tube worms, pods, micro life etc and the biofilter. I noticed that when I transferred to my new tank last November, even though I had established rock from my biocube, I still had fluctuating parameters with phosphates, nitrates. I still am since everything is still establishing.

 

In my area of CT, there aren't a lot of options for fish stores!! However I like Wet Pets in Vernon and shoreline Pets in old saybrook. Shoreline just opened last year actually. Which area of CT are you in?

 

I'm in the Cromwell area. I typically go to Blake's Aqua Den since it's the closest. Wet Pets is good specially for equipment/filtration. I'm not a fan of how their coral tanks are set up so I tend to shy away from buying corals there. The Coral Reef in Stratford is definitely the best place I've found for great coral pieces. I'm in a central location so at most it's around a 45 minute drive depending on where I decide to go.

Link to comment

I'm in the Cromwell area. I typically go to Blake's Aqua Den since it's the closest. Wet Pets is good specially for equipment/filtration. I'm not a fan of how their coral tanks are set up so I tend to shy away from buying corals there. The Coral Reef in Stratford is definitely the best place I've found for great coral pieces. I'm in a central location so at most it's around a 45 minute drive depending on where I decide to go.

I haven't checked out Blake's. I think you'll like Shoreline - you should check it out! Straight shot down route 9 :) they're prices are good and their coral selection is great IMO.

 

Colchester Pet Shop has a good selection of fish, not much in the way of corals.

Link to comment

I haven't checked out Blake's. I think you'll like Shoreline - you should check it out! Straight shot down route 9 :) they're prices are good and their coral selection is great IMO.

 

Colchester Pet Shop has a good selection of fish, not much in the way of corals.

 

My fiancée works out by Shoreline. Maybe I'll take a drive out there one of these days. Colchester Pet Shop wasn't bad. A bit pricier than I would have thought. Especially their RO/DI water. I think he said $10 for 5 gallon jug? I don't have an RO/DI unit so I pick up about 4 gallons a week for water changes so I always have extra on hand extra just in case. Seemed a bit steep. The owners were fantastic though. He shouldn't of suggested that I get a seahorse and add it to my current tank though...

Link to comment

I did my normal water change 2 days ago (4gallons) tested the water before and after. Everything was good. Because it was a busy weekend I didn't do my normal feeding. I just fed the fish and did 1ml of Acropower.

 

Woke up this morning and decided to test my water cause I had a bad feeling.

 

API - 5, Salifert - 50.

 

I know that API tends to be less accurate with Ammonia and Nitrite but that's a pretty large swing for their Nitrate test. Unless I'm reading the Salifert wrong (could be completely possible). The salifert says to use the "low range" if reading is lower than 10 then it would bring the value accurately to API's 5. I ordered a Red Sea Test kit and having it overnighted just so I have a 3rd test to verify my numbers.

 

All but 2 of my acros have full PE. 1 of them I bought that was browned out so I can try to save it. The other tends to do PE at night but on occasion does PE during the day.

 

Either way I'll do a small water change (10%) today just to play it safe.

Link to comment

I did my normal water change 2 days ago (4gallons) tested the water before and after. Everything was good. Because it was a busy weekend I didn't do my normal feeding. I just fed the fish and did 1ml of Acropower.

 

Woke up this morning and decided to test my water cause I had a bad feeling.

 

API - 5, Salifert - 50.

 

I know that API tends to be less accurate with Ammonia and Nitrite but that's a pretty large swing for their Nitrate test. Unless I'm reading the Salifert wrong (could be completely possible). The salifert says to use the "low range" if reading is lower than 10 then it would bring the value accurately to API's 5. I ordered a Red Sea Test kit and having it overnighted just so I have a 3rd test to verify my numbers.

 

All but 2 of my acros have full PE. 1 of them I bought that was browned out so I can try to save it. The other tends to do PE at night but on occasion does PE during the day.

 

Either way I'll do a small water change (10%) today just to play it safe.

make sure youre reading the test correctly, for salifert you must look down through the top for the reading. if its low range, look through the side and divide the reading by 10. did anything else change? it doesnt make sense to have less feeding and have nitrate rise. 5 ppm for nitrate isnt bad and is what most people shoot for,

 

oh and you can set up an RO-DI yourself for a lot less than you bought it for, i bought a rebuilt one from spectrapure,

Link to comment

It will probably take the better part of a year for your tank to settle in. In that time, phosphates and nitrates will fluctuate until you have everything balanced. You'll get random algae blooms here and there, just make sure you have the proper cuc and watch what you feed. The key is to find a good balance for nutrient export without shorting your corals of food. Feeding fish small amounts several times a day is better than one big meal a day. Don't skimp on food, Larry's reef frenzy and Rod's are great foods and well worth the cost.

I feed pellets twice a day (with apex AFS) and hand feed larry's, cyclops and mysis throughout the week when I can. Your sps will be fine, just keep alk, temp and salinity stable until your tank matures. I wouldn't go crazy with chemical filtration, unless you have to?

Stay up on the water changes, for nano's, w/c's are the key if you ask me. I've kept several mixed reef nano's on water changes and kalkwasser (as top off) alone for years. Make changes slowly and observe your animals, they will tell you what's going on.

After 30+ years in this hobby, I follow the basic rules, keep it simple, be patient and don't overreact. Nothing good happens fast in this hobby.

Good luck and happy reefing!

Link to comment

It will probably take the better part of a year for your tank to settle in. In that time, phosphates and nitrates will fluctuate until you have everything balanced. You'll get random algae blooms here and there, just make sure you have the proper cuc and watch what you feed. The key is to find a good balance for nutrient export without shorting your corals of food. Feeding fish small amounts several times a day is better than one big meal a day. Don't skimp on food, Larry's reef frenzy and Rod's are great foods and well worth the cost.

I feed pellets twice a day (with apex AFS) and hand feed larry's, cyclops and mysis throughout the week when I can. Your sps will be fine, just keep alk, temp and salinity stable until your tank matures. I wouldn't go crazy with chemical filtration, unless you have to?

Stay up on the water changes, for nano's, w/c's are the key if you ask me. I've kept several mixed reef nano's on water changes and kalkwasser (as top off) alone for years. Make changes slowly and observe your animals, they will tell you what's going on.

After 30+ years in this hobby, I follow the basic rules, keep it simple, be patient and don't overreact. Nothing good happens fast in this hobby.

Good luck and happy reefing!

 

Thank you for your feedback. I'll keep things monitored and not go over board. So far my alk/temp/salinity seem to be incredibly stable. I've added kalkwasser to my ato in order to keep my alk/calc balanced and topped off. I'm still going to continue to use my reactor with just carbon and a slight dusting of GFO just to keep my levels balanced off. Besides that just keep on with the water changes. I know a lot of people hate them but I find it enjoyable and relaxing.

 

 

 

make sure youre reading the test correctly, for salifert you must look down through the top for the reading. if its low range, look through the side and divide the reading by 10. did anything else change? it doesnt make sense to have less feeding and have nitrate rise. 5 ppm for nitrate isnt bad and is what most people shoot for,

 

oh and you can set up an RO-DI yourself for a lot less than you bought it for, i bought a rebuilt one from spectrapure,

 

I think down the line I'll pick up an RO-DI unit but right now it isn't as feasible. We are in an apartment for another 16 months.

 

I didn't do my normal sand syphoning this week so maybe that played a part. I think someone mentioned that API uses high range Nitrate testing which makes sense to why it was 5ppm with API and 50ppm with Salifert. I did a couple water changes and brought it down to 20ppm with my Salifert test. Going to be performing another WC tomorrow to bring it down some more.

 

I have been also been lightly feeding. The clowns and my diamond watchman goby immediate go up to my turkey baster when I pop it in so they eat directly from it. Makes it easy to target feed the fish. The only one that's shy is the six line wrasse who goes up to the baster then runs away quickly.

 

After tomorrows 10% water change and sundays normal 20% water change my levels should be back to where they felt most comfortable. I've also picked up the Red Sea test kits. I know it might be overkill but to me its peace of mind.

Link to comment

It sounds like your tank is doing well.

 

I see no big issues in your numbers and the coral pro salt, I hear is fantastic at keeping your params where they should be.

 

I myself am in an apartment and putting an ro system in isn't feasible for me either. I started off using distilled but found it was cheaper to get ro water through a water depot. I get packages so a 10L bottle is less than $2, i was paying $2 for a bottle of distilled.

 

I think waiting a bit for the tank to settle is best for sps only because in the 7 mnths of having my 2 tanks(not my first ones), I have seen changes and fluctuations.

My params started out great the first 4 mnths and dropped in the last 3. Now I have to dose. I also had one tank go through a weird diatom bloom in its 5th month. My routine never changed, I am religuous in maintenance.

 

I never experienced this with my first tanks but I see now how rapidly things can fluctuate

Link to comment

 

 

 

 

I think down the line I'll pick up an RO-DI unit but right now it isn't as feasible. We are in an apartment for another 16 months.

 

I didn't do my normal sand syphoning this week so maybe that played a part. I think someone mentioned that API uses high range Nitrate testing which makes sense to why it was 5ppm with API and 50ppm with Salifert. I did a couple water changes and brought it down to 20ppm with my Salifert test. Going to be performing another WC tomorrow to bring it down some more.

 

I have been also been lightly feeding. The clowns and my diamond watchman goby immediate go up to my turkey baster when I pop it in so they eat directly from it. Makes it easy to target feed the fish. The only one that's shy is the six line wrasse who goes up to the baster then runs away quickly.

 

After tomorrows 10% water change and sundays normal 20% water change my levels should be back to where they felt most comfortable. I've also picked up the Red Sea test kits. I know it might be overkill but to me its peace of mind.

i cant stress enough that one the salifert tests you need to look from the top not the side. 5 ppm from api and 50 from salifert makes no sense, the api is a really good ballpark, seeing that salifert is so far off it means the test wasnt performed correctly. looking through the side of a salifert test kit should only be done with a normal range that measures less than 5, and still you need to divide the results by 10. if in fact you looked through the side instead of the top but still divided by 10, both tests would come out to 5ppm.

Link to comment

i cant stress enough that one the salifert tests you need to look from the top not the side. 5 ppm from api and 50 from salifert makes no sense, the api is a really good ballpark, seeing that salifert is so far off it means the test wasnt performed correctly. looking through the side of a salifert test kit should only be done with a normal range that measures less than 5, and still you need to divide the results by 10. if in fact you looked through the side instead of the top but still divided by 10, both tests would come out to 5ppm.

 

I looked through the top. I performed the test 3 times and got the same result all 3 times when I did so originally.

 

Last night I tested with API/Salifert/Red Sea. API looked between 0-5. Salifert was 25 and Red Sea was 20. So it could be that my API test kit is giving me bad results.

 

Stopped doing Acropower this week and have kept things pretty simple this week. I'll probably hold off on the AP for a month or 2. I'll be doing a target feeding of Reef roids tonight going to cut that back to once a week and alternating that once a week between RR and Reef chili.

 

While I have a chart at home I picked up the Aquarimate App in the iOS store. I've only been monitoring my parameters and not what I've been feeding so now I'll be monitoring both. The app looks pretty useful and very clean. A little pricey but we compared to how much we spend on our tanks it really isn't that much.

Link to comment

 

I looked through the top. I performed the test 3 times and got the same result all 3 times when I did so originally.

 

Last night I tested with API/Salifert/Red Sea. API looked between 0-5. Salifert was 25 and Red Sea was 20. So it could be that my API test kit is giving me bad results.

 

Stopped doing Acropower this week and have kept things pretty simple this week. I'll probably hold off on the AP for a month or 2. I'll be doing a target feeding of Reef roids tonight going to cut that back to once a week and alternating that once a week between RR and Reef chili.

 

While I have a chart at home I picked up the Aquarimate App in the iOS store. I've only been monitoring my parameters and not what I've been feeding so now I'll be monitoring both. The app looks pretty useful and very clean. A little pricey but we compared to how much we spend on our tanks it really isn't that much.

seeing the updated info from 3 different sources helps, seeing the salifert and red sea are both close then the problem must be API, ive run into people using tests improperly so i just wanted to make sure, no insult to you. i use aqualog and it has been very helpful. good luck with it, find what works for you and keep on it.

Link to comment

seeing the updated info from 3 different sources helps, seeing the salifert and red sea are both close then the problem must be API, ive run into people using tests improperly so i just wanted to make sure, no insult to you. i use aqualog and it has been very helpful. good luck with it, find what works for you and keep on it.

 

No insult taken. I know you're just trying to help and I greatly appreciate it. Without people like you in this community a lot of people including myself would fail.

 

Picking up a 3rd test kit to me was not just peace of mind but it helps you level set the numbers in case one of the tests happens to be bad. You can do all sorts of harm to your tank if you react to bad tests. I'll continue to monitor the numbers and will post fresh data in a few days.

 

On a side note.. I'm a software developer by trade and after looking at all the apps out there it's inspired me to create one.

Link to comment

 

No insult taken. I know you're just trying to help and I greatly appreciate it. Without people like you in this community a lot of people including myself would fail.

 

Picking up a 3rd test kit to me was not just peace of mind but it helps you level set the numbers in case one of the tests happens to be bad. You can do all sorts of harm to your tank if you react to bad tests. I'll continue to monitor the numbers and will post fresh data in a few days.

 

On a side note.. I'm a software developer by trade and after looking at all the apps out there it's inspired me to create one.

i in turn learned alot from this site as well, its a great wealth of knowledge. i took software programming in high school, its tough stuff

Link to comment

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recommended Discussions

×
×
  • Create New...