ML's 14 IM Peninsula

[ml86743]

Just a few pics from today!

[ml86743]

Lunch pic from today - going on week 3 without WC’s. Tested nutrients and both came back near 0. I’ve been adding some PO4 and NO3 every few days and I can see a shift in the amount of time it takes for film algae to cover the glass. To my eyes it seems like the cyano is at least slowing down. Hoping this continues - there has been an increase in hair algae growth which I’ve been manually removing by hand. Corals look great though!

[Reefkid88]

I have had a pretty good explosion of cyano myself and its been annoying. Lost a few frags to it so far. 

 

 I have been adding MB7 and monitoring nutrients. 

[ml86743]

21 minutes ago, Reefkid88 said:

I have had a pretty good explosion of cyano myself and its been annoying. Lost a few frags to it so far. 

 

 I have been adding MB7 and monitoring nutrients. 

Oh I've had the gift that keeps on giving for months now...lol..trying something different for a bit.  I've been through the MB7, ProBio...you name it with no luck.  I even picked up some chemi clean, haven't used it yet tho. 

[Reefkid88]

All that and it hasn't worked on cyano ? Thats wild. I have thought about swapping tanks and only using 50% of the old water and 50% new and scrubbing all the rocks n stuff and see what happens. 

[ml86743]

51 minutes ago, Reefkid88 said:

All that and it hasn't worked on cyano ? Thats wild. I have thought about swapping tanks and only using 50% of the old water and 50% new and scrubbing all the rocks n stuff and see what happens. 

Not yet at least.  I spent three months trying the coral snow/bacteria with high hopes to no avail.  

 

Thats step two for me, need more space.  Working through upgrade options without breaking the budget.  I've noticed all the IM tanks on sale and low stock - hoping they release something cool here at some point. 

 

Whenever I get to an upgrade I'm going to seed it with real live rock and see if that makes any sort of difference.  I'd like to ditch the old rock but some of the corals have become so encrusted I'd be throwing away a lot of hard work..until then just manually removing everything I can. and hoping the corals take it over lol.    

[Reefkid88]

Does CS claim to help combat cyano ? I actually got cyano using CS lol. 

 

 Yeah,even the tanks without the DC pump are super freakin' cheap atm. Which is crazy. 

 

 Sell the current tank minus the pump,get a IM 20G,Nicrew 100w light is on sale on Amazon,or wait for the one one to release in November. 

[ml86743]

25 minutes ago, Reefkid88 said:

Does CS claim to help combat cyano ? I actually got cyano using CS lol. 

 

 Yeah,even the tanks without the DC pump are super freakin' cheap atm. Which is crazy. 

 

 Sell the current tank minus the pump,get a IM 20G,Nicrew 100w light is on sale on Amazon,or wait for the one one to release in November. 

 I seen that, might wait till November to see if they get some cool shapes.  I actually got a sweet deal on a Hydra 32, so I pulled the trigger.  
 

I used the DIY coral snow, so basically food grade calcium carbonate.  
 

The reef site dude was all about it and mixed it with bacteria.   I guess the DIY coral snow is a flocculent that binds larger particles.  You stir up your sand bed and rock gunk, dose it and then let it circulate.  After you run like floss and your skimmer and it’s supposed to help. 

[ml86743]

Little update.  Since letting the tank sit for a few weeks the cyano has been almost eradicated and is no where close to the coverage prior to making a change.   I actually have to look for it now..simply raised nutrients and cut WC’s for three weeks.  I have been dosing NO3 and PO4 twice a week.

 

the problem now is the hair algae is popping up in more areas and growing faster.  I’d rather deal with that anyway.. did some trimming of the birdsnest and moved it a touch higher so it’s not constantly bumping shoulders with the other sps.   Story is still the same, need to upgrade really have no space. 

 

had a spell of something after doing 2 gallons worth of WC’s over a few days - I have made some adjustments to the salinity as it was a hair low, could be the culprit.  Things look better daily though.  
 

The TnT anacro is going nuts.  

[ReefGoat]

Epic tank can’t wait to see the upgrade. I’m absolutely loving my AIO IM SR80.

 

I know it’s a lot easier to run bigger tanks with a sump. But I just love AIOs. Only downside I can find is skimmer selection. Everything else I could ever want I can find in Hang on options. 

 

 

[TheCoffeeReef]

On 11/11/2024 at 1:51 AM, ReefGoat said:

Epic tank can’t wait to see the upgrade. I’m absolutely loving my AIO IM SR80.

 

I know it’s a lot easier to run bigger tanks with a sump. But I just love AIOs. Only downside I can find is skimmer selection. Everything else I could ever want I can find in Hang on options. 

 

 

If you've done any research into the skimmers for an AIO I'm all for hearing thoughts - I'm finally considering one for the Fluval Evo (I know... there's a lot of threads on them 😅👌).

 

Time and tech moves on, and wonder whats the better options these days at a nano scale

[ReefGoat]

9 hours ago, TheCoffeeReef said:

If you've done any research into the skimmers for an AIO I'm all for hearing thoughts - I'm finally considering one for the Fluval Evo (I know... there's a lot of threads on them 😅👌).

 

Time and tech moves on, and wonder whats the better options these days at a nano scale

I use a Chinese special,  Red Devil nano skimmer. I think it’s the RD150. It works wonderful. 
 

I really want the Reef Octopus 1000 HOB or whatever it’s called. But it’s almost 400 dollars. I’ll probably end up getting it once I’m fully stocked up and need the extra export. 

[ml86743]

On 11/10/2024 at 8:51 PM, ReefGoat said:

Epic tank can’t wait to see the upgrade. I’m absolutely loving my AIO IM SR80.

 

I know it’s a lot easier to run bigger tanks with a sump. But I just love AIOs. Only downside I can find is skimmer selection. Everything else I could ever want I can find in Hang on options. 

 

 

Haha thanks!!!

 

12 hours ago, TheCoffeeReef said:

If you've done any research into the skimmers for an AIO I'm all for hearing thoughts - I'm finally considering one for the Fluval Evo (I know... there's a lot of threads on them 😅👌).

 

Time and tech moves on, and wonder whats the better options these days at a nano scale

 

To answer both of you guys I've been using the AF Bulllet NanoMax?? I think that's what it's called...anyway it's been awesome.   I'd recommend it.   I actually just took it offline for a little bit to hopefully maintain some high nutrient levels.  

 

I'm so close to pulling the trigger on one of the discount IM tanks but I want something to fit that dang stand I built.  UNS makes an AIO version of the tank I built the stand for but I've heard mixed reviews on them.

[mipster]

Tank looks great!

 

It's so interesting how many issues in our tanks are solved by raised nutrients. I had Dinos in my old Fluval evo years ago and black out plus heavy feeding took care of it un just a couple days.

 

It's funny to think that ultra low range tanks used to be thought of as the gold standard and now people are dosing nitrates and phosphates lol 

[ml86743]

On 11/12/2024 at 8:59 PM, mipster said:

Tank looks great!

 

It's so interesting how many issues in our tanks are solved by raised nutrients. I had Dinos in my old Fluval evo years ago and black out plus heavy feeding took care of it un just a couple days.

 

It's funny to think that ultra low range tanks used to be thought of as the gold standard and now people are dosing nitrates and phosphates lol 

I’ve thought about the a lot! I remember chasing 0/0 and using all sorts of chemical media and all It did was ruin any potential stability.  I’m not saying this is the cure to everything but I can only report what I see and I see that cyano has been significantly reduced.  Sure, manual removal of hair algae isn’t the most fun, but it’s way more controllable than vast mats of cyano haha.  At this point, if my corals look happy I’m happy. 

[ReefGoat]

13 hours ago, ml86743 said:

I’ve thought about the a lot! I remember chasing 0/0 and using all sorts of chemical media and all It did was ruin any potential stability.  I’m not saying this is the cure to everything but I can only report what I see and I see that cyano has been significantly reduced.  Sure, manual removal of hair algae isn’t the most fun, but it’s way more controllable than vast mats of cyano haha.  At this point, if my corals look happy I’m happy. 

Your tank looks absolutely fantastic.

 

honestly if that was my rig. I’d be very hesitant to change anything. I’d probably just continue doing whatever I was doing to get the result you’ve shown in those pictures above. Regardless of whatever problems you’re viewing as shortcomings. I can only hope that my tank looks anything close to that by this time next year. 

[ml86743]

2 hours ago, ReefGoat said:

Your tank looks absolutely fantastic.

 

honestly if that was my rig. I’d be very hesitant to change anything. I’d probably just continue doing whatever I was doing to get the result you’ve shown in those pictures above. Regardless of whatever problems you’re viewing as shortcomings. I can only hope that my tank looks anything close to that by this time next year. 

I really appreciate the kind words.  I really do love this little box of water - I just can't stand the view straight on and that goes back to poor rock scape design for a peninsula style set up.  

 

I agree, I don't change too many things usually.  This tank has been so hands off it's crazy.  This has been my first experience with an aquarium controller and it allows me to just set and forget things and react accordingly.

[ml86743]

Tanks still not at 100%. Alk has been running a touch high for my liking as of late (9.0dkH) so I’m dropping the A4R little by little till I’m back around 8-8.5. Tank still reads 0/0 for NO3 and PO4 without dosing. 

 

I’m not sure if this will make sense but I’m starting to see some serious trends regarding the nutrient levels and alkalinity. My tanks always been really low in the detectable nutrient department and for a while it was running with a lower alk (7-8) with great results - my thought process is the higher alk with the lower nutrients shakes up a few things. LPS and softies are not as tolerant in that condition.

 

Now, I know there is at least some available nutrients because algae growth is pretty consistent. 

 

My solution? - I’ve began dosing reef NRG every two days starting last week, I have yet to see results but I’m interested to see if consistently using aminos/whatever else is in the stuff will supplement the corals in the low nutrient/higher alk condition. 

 

pic is from a few days ago - you can see the green zoas are unhappy and the green palys are still scrunched up. 

 

My other thought is trace elements - but the last time I chased that rabbit hole with icp testing and what not, things didnt improve.

 

SPS are doing great tho! i moved the tropicana anacro into a better location with more space. its looked the best ive seen since i bought it, hoping it takes off.

 

Water is a little hazy from the reef energy.

 

[ml86743]

Quick lunch pic from today after feeding some reef NRG. I've reduced A4R a touch and the alk has dropped slightly. Some things look better, the rics are expanded nicely - haven't seen that in a bit. The pretty chalice in the front is still dull.  Crazy to think this tank will be 3 in December!

 

[ml86743]

I picked up an urchin today in hopes of getting a little help with the hair algae.  He’s small for now,  hoping he’s not too destructive..the continuation of manually removing the hair algae has been effective when I can get to it…any urchin keepers out feel free to share any info!  I think this is a variegated urchin but it was sold as a “rose pink”.  I’m unsure.  

[ml86743]

Pulled the trigger on some TBS live rock - 5 lb treasure chest!  I've been wanting to get some supplementary LR for this tank for a minute...not sure when it will be here but it's a box checked off the list.  Hoping it will benefit the community - I would also need some more LR for an upgrade so I figured introducing it with the current inhabitants wouldn't hurt

[mipster]

I don't even this we can get live rock here in Canada. I don't know any LFSs who make or carry it or anything. Can't wait to see what goodies you get!

 

[ml86743]

52 minutes ago, mipster said:

I don't even this we can get live rock here in Canada. I don't know any LFSs who make or carry it or anything. Can't wait to see what goodies you get!

 

Yeah me too!  I didn't get the premium stuff, just the rubble box.  Not expecting anything crazy..I just want the biodiversity 🙂

 

That's surprising that you can't get any.  I wish LFS would import some of this ocean seeded rock.  Its not destructive and you can still get the benefits of the good stuff.  

[ml86743]

Urchin was munching some hair algae this AM.

 

Still at a loss with whatever funk is going on with the tank.  The green zoas up top are probably done, most LPS really aren't happy and have lost color/fluff.  I've taken the A4R off line and dropped the kalk input by 30mL.  

 

Alk still sitting around 9.3, I'm trying to bring it down to at least 8.5 to see if that helps.  It's the only big change over the past few months.  After going through some records, i was sitting more towards 7, sometimes even as low as 6.8 in early October  It was a slow rise to the current # and I didnt anticipate having any issues because it was gradual.

 

It seems the SPS aren't using as much as they were but PE and color is still good on them.  Hoping the winter pH boost here in FL will kick some of them into overdrive. 

 

 

[Reefkid88]

Ever since the chilly weather hit my bedroom window bas been open and thats where tank is. My water got crystal clear and PH went up a few points and everything is happy besides my hammers.