Chase31's 50 starfire aquascape reef

[Chase31]

So here it goes had some issues with my other tank and havent updated the journal at all. All my corals had died and my two clowns yellow tail Damsel survived and I got the tank back on track. Recently I purchased a new fish, cant quite remeber the name. So I made the drive to calgary and purchased a 50G starfire glass tank with a custom aquascape (work done by Lovereefing). This tank has 100lbs of eco reefer rock, and will have all the live rock out of my 32G.

3 chamber around 20G sump (if my math was correct)

My skimmer is in the sump (bubble magnus nac3+) currently its off as i added reef boster prodibio have all 3 and added after the live rock.

I took over half the live rock out of my 32 and put it in the sump of this tank, will this start a cycle? should i finish the rock transfer and move my fish right away? Thanks in advance.

And since I know you all love them here are the pics (taken with my motarola tablet so may not be the best)

Sump (bio-balls have been removed)
http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc500/ckrier31/IMG_20111223_183416.jpg
http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc500/ckrier31/IMG_20111223_183325.jpg
http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc500/ckrier31/IMG_20111223_183440.jpg
My return plumbing
http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc500/ckrier31/IMG_20111223_183505.jpg
http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc500/ckrier31/IMG_20111223_183618.jpg
Overflow
http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc500/ckrier31/IMG_20111223_183402.jpg
http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc500/ckrier31/IMG_20111223_183347.jpg
Powerhead
http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc500/ckrier31/IMG_20111223_183645.jpg
Intake for closed loop later on?
http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc500/ckrier31/IMG_20111223_183517.jpg
FTS
http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc500/ckrier31/IMG_20111223_183301.jpg

[The Codfather]

How about returning the skimmer you borrowed over a year ago.

[cuz]

Looks good, I'd change out a few of your plimbing fittings for non corrosive ones!!

[Chase31]

Well bad news already.... I transfered all my rock and fish lastnight and woke up to 4 dead fish 2 dead snails and all my hermits cruzing around fine..... What could this be I tested my levels 5 mins ago as follows
S.G. 0.025
Ammonia 0.0-0.1
Nitrite 0.0-0.1
Nitrate 0-5
All closer to the 0 range using new nutrafin test kits
All this rock should be cycled properly as it was maintaining 4 fish in my other tank and was only out of water for less then 10 seconds.
Could it have been my acclimation process? Dripped for 35 mins at a couple of drops a second.
Thanks in advance

[HaZRaTTy]

How about returning the skimmer you borrowed over a year ago.

Lol..:lol: I see that as a small problem

[The Codfather]

Lol..:lol: I see that as a small problem

Ya, nothing like selling something you borrowed.
That shows some character.

[Dez]

He'll give you profits plus interest on the skimmer :)

[dreef]

Some people kids hey ?? Codfather is an awesome guy,sent me a part for my calcium reactor.Wouldn't except payment for the part,or shipping.... i hold you forever in my debt :)

[Nano]

He sold your skimmer? Geez...

[toytech]

Did you have a big temp spike or drop (heat failure) and did the tank have water in it before you bought it , because if that fancy new rock wall leached something that would explain the wipeout . Sorry your fish died , that always sucks .
Ps did you actualy sell something you borrowed , could explain the bad karma in the tank though.

[Chase31]

No i did not sell it as i stated in my other thread i never got a reply to the pm asking when you wanted it back, its still sitting here ready to go when you want it , send me a pm.
Anyways i tested ammonia again and it was up to 0.2 but i think this may be due to the deaths. The two hermits are stil cruzing around fine so i dont think its cuz of leaching, im pretty sure everythings aquarium grade and has been leak tested. Im going to get a carbon reactor anyways soon. I think the turnover rate in my sump is to low around 400gph in a 70 system. The water is barely moving in my sumo and almost looks stagnant.

[lastlight]

That turnover sounds fine. Maybe oxygen is low what's your flow at the surface like?

[Chase31]

I have a korillia in the tank, lots of ripples on the surface, but theres sitting bubbles in my sump. And all my live rock is in the sump

[toytech]

Just because the hermits are fine dosent mean anything, the can live anywhere my heater caffed on the weakend and almost boiled the tank o2 went way down ,fish died and my hermits , snails and fighting conch never missed a beat . Run some carbon ,check your temp , and do some water changes because unfortinitaly something is very out of wack that might not be able to be picked up by regular testing.

[Chase31]

well it wasnt the heater as when i woke up it was all normal im going to test my levels first thing in the morning and do a 50% water change. i have a skimmer running and tons of surface exchange so i dont think its o2, down to something leaching? or just bad acclimation? is 30-35 mins to short? dripped 2-3 drops a second? they were in a large becel container

[Skimmerking]

No i did not sell it as i stated in my other thread i never got a reply to the pm asking when you wanted it back, its still sitting here ready to go when you want it , send me a pm.
Anyways i tested ammonia again and it was up to 0.2 but i think this may be due to the deaths. The two hermits are stil cruzing around fine so i dont think its cuz of leaching, im pretty sure everythings aquarium grade and has been leak tested. Im going to get a carbon reactor anyways soon. I think the turnover rate in my sump is to low around 400gph in a 70 system. The water is barely moving in my sumo and almost looks stagnant. I was looking at your setup and noticed that it looks like that you have bare MDF wood as a stand you might want to get that sealed too. that wil be another problem. have you looked at that copper pipe that you ave fgor a gate valve that could be the reason that corals are dying. and St Albert isn't a big place if you borrowed the skimmer from Codfather why are you waiting for him to pick it up drop it off. JUST SAYING

But that pipe of pipe could be that problem I just skimmed over the thread may be some one already pointed that out.

[Skimmerking]

.


http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc500/ckrier31/IMG_20111223_183416.jpg



that is your problem there

[parkinsn]

that is your problem there

Agreed.

Brass valve!?! Brass is Copper, zinc?

As soon as I saw that I was going to say that should be changed before livestock goes in. Too late.

Sorry about your loss.

[parkinsn]

St Albert isn't a big place if you borrowed the skimmer from Codfather why are you waiting for him to pick it up drop it off. JUST SAYING

I wish I borrowed something from Cod and lived up there. I would take the oppertunity to drop off the skimmer just to see the progress on his monster build lol

[The Codfather]

Hey door is always open man.
Still no skimmer has shown up yet. Doubt it will.

And yes....."Chive on"

[Chase31]

Ill pm you. Ill get that fitting changed do a water change and watch to make sure theres no mini cycle

[Chase31]

So new tests
Ph-8.2
Ammonia-0.6-1.2 (lower side)
Nitrate-0
Nitrite-0

I belive the ammonia is dude to the snail carcus i didnt find till this morning. Nitrate and nitrite are 0 as they should be as the rock is already cycled and im already dosing with prodibio. And was before as well. Trip tommorow to get a bigger return pump maybe proper return and some carbon for my sump and a plastic ball valve for my overflow. Water is in the rubbermade circulating for a 40% tommorow after changing the fitting.

[fishytime]

Looks to me like the overflow is a herbie style....I'd go with a gate valve, not a ball valve.... Costs way more but will save you a tonne of headaches....

[Skimmerking]

So new tests
Ph-8.2
Ammonia-0.6-1.2 (lower side)
Nitrate-0
Nitrite-0

I belive the ammonia is dude to the snail carcus i didnt find till this morning. Nitrate and nitrite are 0 as they should be as the rock is already cycled and im already dosing with prodibio. And was before as well. Trip tommorow to get a bigger return pump maybe proper return and some carbon for my sump and a plastic ball valve for my overflow. Water is in the rubbermade circulating for a 40% tommorow after changing the fitting.
just so you know 1 snail isnt going to cause that much of a spike in a 50 gal. might be something else is thatold sand from some one or all new rock and sand.

[Chase31]

Sand is new base rock is new live rock was from an established system across the room (all in sump) thanks for advice will get a gate valve, dont mind spending a lil extra. There were two large snails ans they were both in there a few days also the fish stayed over night till i scooped them out

[Chase31]

Did a 20G water change changed the fixture out (ball valve, couldnt find a gate valve). Skimmer started to skim normally again for a while, now it wont make foam again, going to go test and probobly start mixing up another 20g for another change (all i can do at a time right now). Also got 2 carbon bags in the baffles to get the most flow

[Chase31]

Tested ammonia again and its still high will keep doing water changes

[Chase31]

Also going to move my return to the middle and my skimmer to the return section and T'ing my overflow to put most of the return in the skimmer section leaving me with a slow flowing refugium where my skimmer is, and a larger water reserve in the return section.

[Reefie]

Hey door is always open man.
Still no skimmer has shown up yet. Doubt it will.

And yes....."Chive on"

Can I borrow a skimmer indefinitely also? Haha J/K!

P.S.
If I ever borrowed something FROM someone, I would always RETURN it back to that person and THANK them for the favor.

Just my 2¢
:wink:

[HaZRaTTy]

Can I borrow a skimmer indefinitely also? Haha J/K!

P.S.
If I ever borrowed something FROM someone, I would always RETURN it back to that person and THANK them for the favor.

Just my 2¢
:wink:


Well If we are borrowing atuff from cod and not giving it back, Can I borrow your truck?

[Ryan]

Looks to me like the overflow is a herbie style....I'd go with a gate valve, not a ball valve.... Costs way more but will save you a tonne of headaches....

Dave at Concept has really really really good prices on plumbing, especially gate valves if you ever need them again..... Just sayin I know you got a big build coming up.

[Chase31]

I feel bad about this skimmer but I'm trying no to as cod isn't replying to any pms sent. So its going to sit in the corner of the room till I get word. Currently the tank its cycling. Getting an Auto top off this week as my 2 weeks on 1 week off means low matinence

[Chase31]

Switched to a 1/2 inch dual overflow and have biopelet and carbon reactor on the way. Doing a few waterchanges a week getting close. But I'm being patient on this build.

[Chase31]

so all my levels are stable and i think im ready for a cuc and maybe a coral or two

[Chase31]

So the levels were looking good, and do to other reasons I haven't been able to do a waterchange since my last test of almost 0 ammonia, and my skimmers still not skimming I have my dual BRS reactor running carbon then GFO and supplying the skimmer chamber with water. And still no skimmate, is my ammonia to high maybe? I'm going to test it tommrow. Or do I have something else messing with my surface tention?

[Chase31]

So this tank is a long time in the making, due to taking on a new job I have been really busy and on the road a lot. Now that I think I have time to get back into it. First I have a few questions that will help me in making this work better.

Okay so here's the deal I had live rock in an old tank circulating. I moved it into this new one and the fish died. I moved to a new place, filled it up with fresh salt water then put the rocks in and its been circulating with no skimmer for 3-4 months now. From what I can tell all the rock is dead, and I haven't checked for ammonia yet, I will do a test tommrow. But what is the best way to tell if I have live or dead rock?

[tang daddy]

Add some light to the rock, if it grows algae, pods should emerge, sponges will grow and that means the rock is live, if nothing grows on it then it's dead, if that's the case, add some live rock to re seed it!

[Chase31]

I am Res-erecting This tank, after thinking I would be able to get it back up several times and not being able to this is the time, I have been busy setting everything up. I soaked all the rock in water for about a month now I have added salt water and added Prodibio Start-up and Bioptum and biodigest, starting my bi-weekly regamine. after 3 days i tested my ammonia not caring about the other levels, only getting a 0.1-0.3. I am currently in a calgary hotel room (so sorry no pictures) untill friday afternoon when I will do more tests to see if i get more of an ammonia spike. Will post an update friday night and hopefully ill be able to add a small amount of livestock over the weekend.
Any suggestions on some harty fish that are going to be reef safe or some corals to start to create a bio load?

[michika]

Any suggestions on some harty fish that are going to be reef safe or some corals to start to create a bio load?

Go get a shrimp, get a whole ring if you like to eat them. Then sit in front of your tank and eat some of those delicious shrimp for yourself. Then add two shrimp to your tank and walk away.

Don't use fish to cycle your tank. From an economic perspective its a needless expense and a mouth to feed. From a humane view its cruel and unnecessary. And finally, from a housekeeping point of view; most of the fish suggested to you will probably grow into a mean territorial SOB who kills off some prized recent additions because it's cheap aggressive fish that really has no place in your system, but you wanted to cycle with a fish so...

Or if you're partial to beer, drink, digest, "replace some evap." and walk away. Yes, this is a real thing.

Either way, good luck with your re-start.

[Chase31]

A large portion of the rock was live before i gave up for so long. i tested the water before adding prodibio and i had some ware around .5 ammonia and the prodiio brought it down to 0.1-0.3. ill be more sure when i get home on friday, i dont want to torture any fish or waste any money.

[Chase31]

Go get a shrimp, get a whole ring if you like to eat them. Then sit in front of your tank and eat some of those delicious shrimp for yourself. Then add two shrimp to your tank and walk away.

Don't use fish to cycle your tank. From an economic perspective its a needless expense and a mouth to feed. From a humane view its cruel and unnecessary. And finally, from a housekeeping point of view; most of the fish suggested to you will probably grow into a mean territorial SOB who kills off some prized recent additions because it's cheap aggressive fish that really has no place in your system, but you wanted to cycle with a fish so...

Or if you're partial to beer, drink, digest, "replace some evap." and walk away. Yes, this is a real thing.

Either way, good luck with your re-start.

I realize this is a real thing :lol: Im not planning to cycle the tank with fish im planning to bring my bioload up very very slowly with my base of bacteria from prodibio. and bioptum

[Chase31]

I have have heard of people doing this, does it work?

[Chase31]

Bump on that last question

[Skimmerking]

what using no fish to cycle

[JDigital]

Yes, using prodibio (Biostart 1st, Bioclean 2nd, ReefBooster last) is a good way to start a tank cycle, especially when using dry rock. (I'm not sure if you are or not).

I started a 180G tank with similar Zeo products and started my 60G tank with Prodibio products.

[Chase31]

What I'm wondering is once I have no ammonia and everything is in check adding maybe one fish and a coral or two and add my livestock very slowly to bring up the bioload

[Chase31]

Yes, using prodibio (Biostart 1st, Bioclean 2nd, ReefBooster last) is a good way to start a tank cycle, especially when using dry rock. (I'm not sure if you are or not).

I started a 180G tank with similar Zeo products and started my 60G tank with Prodibio products.

Yea it is mostly dry base rock and dead dry rock that's been soaked in water for months

[Chase31]

Here are some pics for all of you that are interested my ammonia has dropped to 0 and I have 2 damsels in there that have been there for around a week now, levels are still holding at 0 there is so much rock in there I'm never going to be able to find my fish, also have an mp 10 hiding in the rock wall by my overflow hoping to add a mp30 on the other side to get a wave effect going.http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/02/aryne6a5.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/02/pyvyhy9e.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/02/y5y3ezam.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/02/u6anyme4.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/02/asetasa7.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/02/ujudyvy5.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/02/hy4ateha.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/02/ajy6ebaq.jpg

[Chase31]

So with all my levels holding nicely I have added two false perc clownfish (ocullaris) and a royalgramma, because my girlfriend wouldn't let me leave the store without her hehe

[Chase31]

So with all my levels holding nicely I have added two false perc clownfish (ocullaris) and a royalgramma, because my girlfriend wouldn't let me leave the store without her hehe

Also added 4 hermits and a snail (got a snail instead of a hermit

[Chase31]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/04/udupadyq.jpg Hermit meeting?
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/04/unajudyn.jpgthe royal gramma

[Chase31]

So everything is going great, starting to develop some red slime alge (had this problem in my 30g it's not noticeable at all yet but hoping it will give my rocks some sort of colour for now at least! Had a clown die but I think this is due to a swim bladder infection he had when I got him, but everyone else is doing great, so going to give it some time to see what happens with my slime

[Chase31]

so starting to develop cyano i believe, like a red slime, is this due to my low bacteria base? should i wait for this to subside or try to do something about it?

[kien]

so starting to develop cyano i believe, like a red slime, is this due to my low bacteria base? should i wait for this to subside or try to do something about it?

You could try to increase the flow in the areas where you've got red slime. If it is on rocks sometimes you can blast it with at Turkey baster for a few days and it goes away. If none of the above works you can try using Chemiclean. Obtain from your local fish store and follow the directions. It works great.

[Chase31]

Got myself a new clown to replace the one I lost a flower pot and a shrimp, everything's looking good!http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/14/a9ejapah.jpg very happy in its new home :)
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/14/vaqyhu4u.jpg
Already friends
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/14/by4amuse.jpg
Speedy the shrimp

[Chase31]

So been away from my tank a week now and have another 5 days to go. First time extended period away but I was told all my fish are eating and everyone in the tank looks good. I guess my female clown is bullying one of my chromis not sure but that's what I'm told ATO is working good and their all eating!

[Chase31]

Was told today that my clowns have been bullying one of my chromis and not it's no ware to be found would my clown kill a chromis??

[Chase31]

I had two chromis and two clowns along with a royalgramma my mom feeds the tank while I'm working. My royalgramma is still shy and doesn't go to the top during feeding but he still gets some and comes out, my chromis never ever miss a feeding. Now my mom called me the other day to say my female clown was chasing around the chromis till he hid in his little corner (his house). Now today my mom says she hasn't seen him all day or night and even when feeding he normally hides in between the rock wall and the glass. It's not like him to hide in the rocks or stray far from his buddy chromis. Would my clown have killed him? I feel like clowns couldn't be this territorial in a 55 g tank but her experience says otherwise. What do you guys think

[Chase31]

You could try to increase the flow in the areas where you've got red slime. If it is on rocks sometimes you can blast it with at Turkey baster for a few days and it goes away. If none of the above works you can try using Chemiclean. Obtain from your local fish store and follow the directions. It works great.

According to my mother it's subsided on its own only one way to tell once I get home from work tho I guess will update on friday

[Chase31]

Tank is looking good put ai sols on it, will post more pics tomorrow also of my nem1152011521

[JmeJReefer]

That brass fitting is pure trouble! Any corrosive, metal fitting will 1) corrode, putting brass into the water. 2) alter ph, metals will mess with it. It's y an apple goes brown wen u cut with a stainless knife, it alters the ph of the apple.
Return the skimmer. Don't pm, don't leave a MSG on canreef. Hop in ur car, drive there today, the same way u went to pick it up. It's common sense to return wit is borrowed! A quick shake of the head is needed!
Hope u solve ur tank prob.

[Chase31]

Changed the brass fitting, i pmed him as I don't remember where he lives. Tank is going well

[Chase31]

Photo time http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/07/15/atuquvub.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/07/15/umygu6e7.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/07/15/uneqajyz.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/07/15/yba5e4az.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/07/15/2e9agy2e.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/07/15/pequde2e.jpg

[Chase31]

That brass fitting is pure trouble! Any corrosive, metal fitting will 1) corrode, putting brass into the water. 2) alter ph, metals will mess with it. It's y an apple goes brown wen u cut with a stainless knife, it alters the ph of the apple.
Return the skimmer. Don't pm, don't leave a MSG on canreef. Hop in ur car, drive there today, the same way u went to pick it up. It's common sense to return wit is borrowed! A quick shake of the head is needed!
Hope u solve ur tank prob.

I'd love to drive over and drop it off but I don't remember where he lives, I could take it to the neighbourhood and knock on a bunch of doors but I'd prefer if he would answer one of my pm's I could deliver it

[Chase31]

So havent posted on here in a while mostly just reading and keeping quiet. My tank is doing good. no algea or anything. having trouble with my anenome. not sure if its dying or just not healthy. Just ordered a Vertex omega 130 and just insatalled a Reef octopus DC pump for my return. so quiet i cant even tell if its running! out at work right now but when i get home ill be posting some pics!!

Hoping that cod father will pipe up and pm me his address so i can return this skimmer that is taking up space in my garage.

[Chase31]

Well here is the update you have all been waiting for... all none of you haha.

So curently i have 2 zoa's not sure the name, a torch an acro a birdsnest some gsp and a kenya tree.

Fish: 2 Clowns
A tiny regal tang (dont scold me looking at an upgrade)
blue/green chromis
lawnmower blenny

My two vortec mp10's
http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc500/ckrier31/IMG_0191.jpg (http://s1214.photobucket.com/user/ckrier31/media/IMG_0191.jpg.html)
http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc500/ckrier31/IMG_0190.jpg (http://s1214.photobucket.com/user/ckrier31/media/IMG_0190.jpg.html)
my DC return pump and AI-sol controler
http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc500/ckrier31/IMG_0189.jpg (http://s1214.photobucket.com/user/ckrier31/media/IMG_0189.jpg.html)
All my fish except the lawnmower
http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc500/ckrier31/IMG_0188.jpg (http://s1214.photobucket.com/user/ckrier31/media/IMG_0188.jpg.html)
pink zoa
http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc500/ckrier31/IMG_0186.jpg (http://s1214.photobucket.com/user/ckrier31/media/IMG_0186.jpg.html)
colorful zoa
http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc500/ckrier31/IMG_0185.jpg (http://s1214.photobucket.com/user/ckrier31/media/IMG_0185.jpg.html)
acro
http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc500/ckrier31/IMG_0184.jpg (http://s1214.photobucket.com/user/ckrier31/media/IMG_0184.jpg.html)
torch
http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc500/ckrier31/IMG_0183.jpg (http://s1214.photobucket.com/user/ckrier31/media/IMG_0183.jpg.html)
birdsnest
http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc500/ckrier31/IMG_0182.jpg (http://s1214.photobucket.com/user/ckrier31/media/IMG_0182.jpg.html)
GPS
http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc500/ckrier31/IMG_0181.jpg (http://s1214.photobucket.com/user/ckrier31/media/IMG_0181.jpg.html)


http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc500/ckrier31/IMG_0192.jpg (http://s1214.photobucket.com/user/ckrier31/media/IMG_0192.jpg.html)

[Madreefer]

Looking good man

[Chase31]

Looking good man

Thanks! I'm sort of an equipment junkie as I'm sure you can tell, just got some frags from waynemah. Hope they do well.

New rule is no superglue for me I have it all over my hands and everything. How do you guys glue corals? Is epoxy Easyer?

[Chase31]

Well today ups brought me a little present (3 days late I'll add)
So here it is all put together
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/12/11/nu3ehyhu.jpg
Due to my father managing facility's at a school board lots of chunks of egg crate they can't use so made a stand to raise it to around 7 inches
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/12/11/vaqapa4u.jpg
Letting it overflow flow over night!
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/12/11/5y3y4esa.jpg

How do you recommend breaking this skimmer in?

[Chase31]

Well didn't get a chance to post in a little bit but 2 weeks away for work and now 3-4 days with the girlfriends family, my tank didn't do to good, skimmer has been draining back into the tank and tried to get it running bit my schedule didn't allow it and when I get home for. Work my Sps was rtning and looked to be gone. So assuming my levels got bad with no skimmer and no one to do weekly water changes :( pretty disappointed

[Chase31]

So now that I have no Sps and got a nutrafin test kit for chritmas I tested all my levels
Phosphate undetectable
Nitrate undetectable
Nitrite undetectable
Ammonia undetectable

And my skimmers producing head finally!
Is it possible that I have no phosphate or no4 as that amount I algea in my tank is crazy. Or is it just gobbling it up?

[IanWR]

Safe to say if you have algae you have phosphates. You may be reading 0, that just means the algae is holding it.

[Chase31]

So keep dosing my Prodibio to see if brings it down

[Chase31]

So update. Carpet anemone is looking good. And algea is slowing down cuz of my sea hare. Problem is I got a new refractomiter and my salt gravity was 1.20 and I have been bumping it up to 1.26. Hoping this is why some of the Sps rtned and the anemone was unhappy

[Chase31]

Does anyone think that my Sps failed because of the low salinity? I believe my anemone wasn't happy due to that aswell cuz now the mouth is almost closed

[29Bio]

The first anemone died because the tank is to young, I would never recommend adding a anemone to a tank that hasn't been running for at least 8 months. The spa might have died because you lights are to powerful, you have to slowly acclimate new corals to the power of leds.

[Chase31]

The first anemone used up all it's photosynthetic food. Sold it so it wouldn't die. So I have to acclimate any new corals to the lights?? Like every time? The salinity had nothing to do with it?

[29Bio]

Yes every time, what % are you running the lights at, they seem very low... If the lights are to powerful they will bleach the coral and the coral will die.

[Chase31]

At the time of the pics I had egg crate ontop at about 65 on the whites 100% on the blues. Raised them about 14 inches or so off the water now with no egg crate and there at 85 whites. How would I acclimate my new corals without having my anemone losing a ton of light? And how do I know how low % to drop them

[29Bio]

What I would do is put your whites at 40 and blues at 60 with them at 14 inches above water level, then slowly increase the intensity as needed. I can tell you right now that's why your sps died, it got burned by the LEDs.

[Chase31]

I'm not back home till sat so I will measure hight forsure. How will I know if I can ramp them up? My anemone and softies seam to love it

[Chase31]

So light is 10 inches above the tank and 24 inches above the sand. What % should I be running my lights at. And every time I add coral I should use the acclimation setting and how low should I go to acclimate them?

[Madreefer]

Dude you've had your Sols since July. I highly doubt that they killed your SPS. I don't acclimate any of my corals with lights. I'd place them near the bottom and slowly move them up over the weeks if your going to do anything. I'm thinking it's the other problems that killed them. If your away from your tank for long periods of time than maybe SPS is something to avoid until you can monitor them daily. Your settings are fine if you've been running Sols for that long already.

[Chase31]

So what % can I get away with? I was assuming it was my salinity that was screwing me.

[Chase31]

So after a flood and visiting Wes today I decided to check my po4 at nighttime when the lights are off and only my cheato is growing and I got 44! On my ultra low range checker=.134!!! Wow going to replace the phosgaurd in my reactors tommorow!