That's the important part!

There's more than one way to skin a cat. ;) Have you ever tried running NSW values for Cal/Alk/Mg? That's what I've been doing for the first 8 months my tank was up and running, and recently I've been experimenting with slightly higher values. I've started NO3 dosing again too.

No, never tried that. I am trying to lower my ALK to around 9, but I keep fairly high nutrients so lower alk (NSW levels) can cause issues with STN/RTN.

You listed low nutrients above. You figure the tank will wander high once established?

I did? I think my tank runs fairly high nutrient levels. I feed well, don't over skim and perform modest 10-15% water changes each week to export.

What does your ph sit at with the two part

7.9-8.07 daily, monitored with APEX PH probe.

You listed NO3 0 ppm, and PO4 0.04 ppm. You don't think that's low? Of course there is a different between a low nutrient system and a low nutrient water column imo. Maybe your tank is more in the latter than the former. Imo, that's the best way to do it. :D

Ahh I see what you're saying. I don't think N03 and P04 are always good metrics for determining nutrient levels. While my N03 and P04 are low, im feeding my fish and corals quite heavily with a variety of foods/amino's etc (adding nutrients) but also exporting heavily with filter carbon, aggressive skimming, carbon dosing, water changes etc, to keep N03/P04 low. There's also probably a wide range of interpretations on what 'nutrients' consist of. But either way, things seem to be running ok. (other than a bit of green slime).

What did you do with the canopy?
Are there any plans to get a nicer sump.
The tank is just begging for you to do up the sump area.:biggrin:
How did you add the bottom links to your post. Does it do it for you automatically or did you add it yourself

Ah, you're carbon dosing too. Yeah, not really a low nutrient system then. That's like mine - water column is super low nutrients, but the tank itself has lots of nutrients. You might be able to get rid of the slime if you back off the pellet flow a sniff. Which aminos are you using? I've been experimenting with Acro Power since it seems to have such rave reviews, but I haven't been able to use it without getting red slime. Maybe I should just weather it. :lol:

I like my sump... :-( Plus sumps are not cheap. I might go acrylic next time with a fuge section, or maybe a little frag rack, but I'm ok with it right now. Could use a couple filter sock holders though. . . :D

I added the links to my signature in the "User CP" settings page.

I'm not running pellets, I'm manually dosing. I use AcroPower and a select combo of KZ products. Their LPS Amino's are incredible for chalices! My pink panther chalice grows very nicely!

I've noticed my Radion fans coming on through the day, so to make sure they get enough effective air cooling I installed a couple of 4" vents right above them. I think they look pretty sharp, and are so low profile they're hardly noticeable when viewing the tank.

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And the award for most indecisive reef keeper goes to. . .
 

I took my canopy off and installed the RMS rail and I have to say, I really like the look of it. I've been doing a lot of maintenance/'scaping in the tank lately, so having it open like this makes working in the tank a lot easier. I'll put the canopy back on once i've got everything where I want it in a couple weeks. Im interested to see if this increases evaporation. Anyway, things have been growing in nicely, still a few pieces to move to more optimal areas, but im pretty happy with how it's shaping up. Here's a few update pics.


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New lights look great

More pics with white light please

I nearly lost a little Chili Pepper monti frag, but it's grown back and starting to encrust!

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Hi Eliot
What level are you running your Radeions at.

50% right now and things are looking a little better since I turned them down.

How do you like that omega 130 is it as quite as you say it is.
I have the 150 and its very loud.

Do you have or know anyone with glass suction cup lifting tool. My tank is to heavy to get off the floor with two people.
I think I might have to use 2 by 4s to shimmy it off the floor

Hey, sorry for the late reply! The 130 is quiet, but is it as quiet as YOU think it is, I don't know. I love it personally. Not sure about the suction cups tool, try a local glass company.

A few update pics. I got an incredible male Potter's Wrasse this week, he's already eating frozen mysis and brine shrimp well but it's early days. I hope he settles in ok, he's pretty skinny. He's quick, so it's hard to get his face in focus!

I'm getting pretty good growth out of my acropora plana, it's encrusting a lot more than it's growing out, but doing well. After turning down my Radion's ive found things colouring up a bit better. Still trying to tweak things to avoid algae growth and get all SPS to colour up and grow. I think I need to move a couple pieces to get better growth, but im hesitant to move them around.

My chalice is exploding! It's defintely one of my favourite pieces. I have a couple frags that are encrusting their plugs nicely. I get a bit of green slime in lower flow areas when I overdose the amino acids. Im still balancing out the tanks dosage and need. I've cut back in favour of over feeding the fish instead to see how things shape up.


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I think that's one of the best potter wrasse I have ever seen....wish I can house one but a bit tough (impossible)with no sand.
I found with LED's if you dial the white down and pump up the blues the corals react much better to it and as the acclimate to the intensity then you can slowly dial it up.

Anyways, sps are looking happy and fuzzy, keep up the good work.

Thanks! They're doing pretty well. Im slowly tinkering with the LED settings, intensity, colour channels etc to see how things react. I've got them really low right now with greens and reds off completely to slow algae growth as things balance out, which seems to have helped enormously (had a green slime problem for a bit). Im going to start dialling them back up gradually now that it seems to be under control).
Some SPS still wont grow though, might have to move them around. Lokani just won't start growing, neither will my vermiculata.

Was the sump you used made by miracles?
Are you still using your canopy if not do you want to sell it to me?

Yes it was built by Miracles to my specs. I sent you a PM on the canopy.