Author Topic: Perfect Storm Tank Build (Read 14197 times)

Gary · « **Reply #50 on:** February 05, 2016, 14:01:01 »

Steve,
Anybody could do it if it were easy. You are a unique warrier with a daunting task. Save the corals! You can do it.
Good Luck!
Gary

Steve · « **Reply #51 on:** February 05, 2016, 21:13:05 »

I have received a few PM's and replies with encouraging words, I do appreciate it.

Steve · « **Reply #52 on:** February 11, 2016, 21:39:02 »

So whatever is going on with my tank it seemed as if my cheato was growing at an extremely slow rate, catching more dirt and growing cyano mostly. Also have not been real happy trying to reduce phosphates with GFO in a 180, mostly because my reactor is small and GFO is expensive. With all this I decided to make a change. I took the GFO reactor out about a month ago and began running phosphate pads instead. I have noticed a major decrease in algae on the glass and I have even increased my feedings. As of now I am very pleased with the results and the pads are a lot cheaper than GFO and a lot less messy. Right now I am running 1 pad made by Acurel and 1 Poly Filter.

soldiers4christ50 · « **Reply #53 on:** February 11, 2016, 21:40:58 »

Good info Steve thanks for sharing

AJ · « **Reply #54 on:** February 12, 2016, 11:47:52 »

Good news Steve! I had bad phosphate issues too, and I solved it by dosing Nitrates, as my Nitrates were 0, in the form of KNO3 (Spectracide Stump Remover). If you are interested in that, I can tell you how to mix it and how much to dose. Another thought as to why your chaeto isn't growing, could be related to Iron, I know that chaeto uses Phosphate, Nitrate and Iron to grow.

Keith92 · « **Reply #55 on:** February 12, 2016, 13:00:49 »

I had a Phosphate problem and fixed it with gfo. Now my nitrates are 20 and I have dosing vodka for 9 days with no results. Should I find a Phosphate source and add that my tank?

Gary · « **Reply #56 on:** February 12, 2016, 13:03:09 »

Try putting the Vodka in the tank! Lol

AJ · « **Reply #57 on:** February 12, 2016, 17:04:25 »

Quote from: Keith92 on February 12, 2016, 13:00:49

I had a Phosphate problem and fixed it with gfo. Now my nitrates are 20 and I have dosing vodka for 9 days with no results. Should I find a Phosphate source and add that my tank?

Nitrates are much less of a problem than Phosphates. I would take your GFO offline and feed more until you can get some detectable Phosphates, your chaeto will start eating that Nitrate like cookies.

Keith92 · « **Reply #58 on:** February 12, 2016, 17:08:18 »

Will the extra food create higher nitrates?

Steve · « **Reply #59 on:** February 12, 2016, 20:00:47 »

Hhhmmmmm, looks like the BOD is high jacking my thread, better watch it guys!

Keith92 · « **Reply #60 on:** February 12, 2016, 20:34:19 »

Sorry Steve, I got carried away. Sounds like you are on the right track. Congrats!

Steve · « **Reply #61 on:** February 12, 2016, 20:45:59 »

Quote from: Keith92 on February 12, 2016, 20:34:19

Sorry Steve, I got carried away. Sounds like you are on the right track. Congrats!

Just havin some fun.

Kenn · « **Reply #62 on:** February 13, 2016, 01:28:35 »

Glad to hear you are getting some positive results.

Steve · « **Reply #63 on:** February 14, 2016, 03:37:02 »

Checked nitrates since removing cheato and also turning my skimmer down a little. Have had a little increase, they were at 0 and now are around 5ppm, which is probably a good thing. Will continue to monitor, just to make sure they don't take off.

AJ · « **Reply #64 on:** February 14, 2016, 20:04:46 »

Yes, 5ppm Nitrates is great! I try to keep mine between 5 and 10 ppm.

Steve · « **Reply #65 on:** February 29, 2016, 23:44:26 »

Did a 130 gal water change last night. Most everything looks good, but it seems to have pushed a few more SPS over the edge. Will keep an eye on them and see if they make any recovery. Have added a few rock flower nems and a new GBTA with a purple foot. Loving the rock nems. I have decided that even if the SPS recover I am taking the tank in a new direction. I love the SPS, but between red bugs, flow rates, not enough PAR, phosphates and nitrates and whatever has been killing mine recently I am headed in a less stressful direction. I realize that all coral have their issues, but I am just wanting to get back to the hobby and enjoying my tank.

Kenn · « **Reply #66 on:** March 01, 2016, 01:32:55 »

Glad to hear you are getting a handle on things.

I would love to see pictures of those Nems when you get a chance

Steve · « **Reply #67 on:** March 01, 2016, 22:05:35 »

Having a horrible time downloading pics.

soldiers4christ50 · « **Reply #68 on:** March 02, 2016, 01:30:22 »

Nice looking stuff Steve!! 👍🏻

Steve · « **Reply #69 on:** March 02, 2016, 03:23:46 »

Here are a couple more

Steve · « **Reply #70 on:** March 02, 2016, 03:30:59 »

Quote from: soldiers4christ50 on March 02, 2016, 01:30:22

Nice looking stuff Steve!! 👍🏻

Thanks Matt.

Steve · « **Reply #71 on:** March 10, 2016, 16:55:46 »

Okay so after 130 gal water change and losing a few more corals, things seemed to have stabilized. STN seems to have stopped and colors returning to the SPS. Didn't have the extra salt at the time, but am contemplating another water change. Also changed the magnesium I was using, I had the bag for a while and things seemed to worsen when I dosed Mag. Thought I would change 1 additive at a time, if necessary and monitor corals. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Steve · « **Reply #72 on:** May 18, 2016, 20:49:27 »

It has been a little over 2 months (on purpose) since I did the large water change. Everything was doing great then I noticed my JF Violet Orange Monti receding again. Now all the acros are beginning to show stn again though not as bad. What have I learned? That my Mag was not the source of the issue. Planning on a large water change this weekend. The good news is I was blessed with some led lights by Matt. I was able to trade them to Lee for a 60 inch fixture made by the same company as the lights I currently have. I have always had front to back coverage issue, that problem has been solved. Thanks Matt and Lee.

soldiers4christ50 · « **Reply #73 on:** May 18, 2016, 20:52:10 »

No problem Steve I hope it helps.

Steve · « **Reply #74 on:** May 24, 2016, 13:19:24 »

Just finished doing about a 170 gal water change. Ordering some different calcium today. Changed mag supplements last time, so if new calcium doesn't solve the problem I am not sure what to do. I don't really use any other supplements, but the occasional dosing of Kent essential trace elements and Iodide. We will see.

2024 Ohio Reef Frag Swap

Author Topic: Perfect Storm Tank Build (Read 14197 times)