Thinking of going the Fauna marin way...need some input

[docwells]

I am thinking of using the uiltralith system and wanted some input. I have a 69 gallon BB reef with mainly sps and a few lps and zoos. My tank has been up for a couple of months and most of the coral were transfers from my old tank. I used alot of the water from my old tank too. Needless to say corals look ok, but are not really colorful. My growth is slow. I am thinking I have a very nutrient poor system and this accounts for the lack of color and growth. I had a cloudy tank this weekend that I think was a bacterail bloom. This has pushed me to think that what I am doing is not right and I need to try a better way. So here I am at the ultralith system.

I read the manual and think I have the basic grasp of it. Is there a way to use the ultalith without the reactor? The price on it is a little high, but if it is the best way I will do it. It seems I would need the Bio, Bak, MinS and ultralith to get started. Could I use some ulltralith products without doing a full blown system? I want to do what is best.

And I would need to take my ozone off the system.

Thanks for the input.

[C. Schuhmacher]

HI

Thanks for your interest and i will be happy to help you on the FM way
before i have some questions

Can you post me your waterparameter ?
Which light you use
Which pumps and Skimmer you have on your system.


The Fauna Marin Ultralth reactor is a Version which can be use also external , this is the reason why it is a litte bit more expensiv then others
In short time we will have a new automatical system which is less expensiv.

Greets Claude

[docwells]

Claude,
Thanks for the help.
My parameters are:

alk 9.6 dkh/ 3.43 meq
calcium 415
mag 1290
Orp 450
nitrate/nitite/ phos zero
spec. gravity 1.026
Light Sfiligoi XR4 pendant with 20k radium bulb and four T5's
System pump Eheim 1262
Skimmer BK mini 160

I really believe my system is pretty nutrient poor already. I have had poor color and even some corals rtn. I think this is due to lack of food source. I tried the Blue coral method using pappone for a little while and by giving the corals that source of food, they colored up and had good polyp extension and growth. I stopped it due to the diatoms I was getting even with cutting back. I think your system will be more beneficial long term and easier I think.

Can I use the ultrlith bag instead of the reactor for now until the new automatic system comes out?

[C. Schuhmacher]

Hi

I did not know the blue coral methode so i cannot say anything to them
if you sait you use pepone then iám not wondering that you get RTN cause the bacteria grown must be terrible.

The diatom growing is normal if you use such a nutrition.

Can you post a picture of your tank ?
Greets Claude

[docwells]

Claude,
I think there is a misunderstanding.

I was getting rtn before using pappone. I was only feeding the fish and using no other source of food for the corals. When I started using pappone, I got better color and explosive growth. This is what led me to think I was nutrient poor and I was starving my corals. The diatoms are what led me to stopping it's use. I understand that is normal.

I am looking for direction in what products to use and dosages. I want to make my order soon.

I will try and post pictures.

[docwells]

Claude,
Here are some tank pictures:


http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk201/docwells97/DSCN0802.jpg




http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk201/docwells97/DSCN0835.jpg




http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk201/docwells97/DSCN0838.jpg

I do have some color of some corals, but they are not vibrant. I have alot of washed out colors.

[Stoneyscoral]

What a great looking tank! I love your aquascaping and choice of fish.

[docwells]

Thanks for the compliment. I now just need to get started with FM for better growth and color.

[C. Schuhmacher]

Hi

Yes it looks nice and i cannot see a aragonit on the bottom
Why ?
Also which skimmer you have ?
Many greetings Claude

[docwells]

Claude,
Thanks for the compliment.

My tank is bare bottom. There is no sand in the tank or in the sump.

My skimmer is the Bubbleking Mini 160.

[C. Schuhmacher]

HI


why you don´t use the sand
i think it is important fo the biology of the tank

Did you can make me a picture from the algeas ?
Greets Claude

[docwells]

I don't use sand because I have so flow in the tank that sand will not stay in place. Plus I like the look without sand better.

I don't have an nusiance algae in the tank. There are some diatoms on the front glass and back wall. But it is not too bad.
I can try and take some pictures.

Will the ultralith system still work in my bare bottom system?

[recife111]

I was getting rtn before using pappone.
Most likely because the corals were starved. Having a ultra clean tank and not feeding corals can cause this, especially in BB tanks.

[docwells]

recife11,
I agree with you. This is why the ultralith system appeals to me. I will be feeding the corals with less mess than pappone. Cost will be higher as pappone was cheap to make for my tank as it is small.

Claude,
My nuisance algae is not bad enough to want to treat it. No algae on rocks. Do you have any doasge suggestions and product suggestions for me yet? Should I just go with the complete ultralith system or maybe just try some coral feeding? Will this work with a barebottom tank? I am ready to make an order with Cherry Corals.

[C. Schuhmacher]

HI

Yes it will work but i know the corals grown better when you have a little bit aragonite in the tank
also you wil lhave a better nutrition depot in your tank

But try it without We in germany don´t use the bare bottom
Which light you use in your system ?

greets claude

[C. Schuhmacher]

Hi

It depends what you want

You can start with the complete system this is very easy
and needs not so long time.

Did you read the manual ?

Wit the bare bottom you can start with 50 % of the Dosing
and what i need to know also is which salt you use
Greets Claude

[docwells]

Claude,
Thanks for the reply. I guess I am leaning toward the complete system.

I did read the manual a few times. I was just a little thrown by the bare bottom part. I did not want to overdose my tank.

I usually use filtered and ozoned saltwater from the local college for my water changes. I live on the coast and they have a aquaculture facility. I can get free water which is great. When I do use salt, I usually use Instant Ocean as it is the most readily available.

Thanks for the help.

[C. Schuhmacher]

Hi


What a dream natural seawater :) :) :) :) :)

Start with the system and 50 % of the dosings like i said
this will be good for a start

Could you tell me which light you use ?

Greets Claude



http://www.faunamarin.de/galerie/bilder/DSCF1370.JPG

[b_vanfossen]

docwells-

Claude really knows his stuff.

I started with just the ultraBio and the ultaBak and had good results. I've just started using the basic four and I have the lith in a filter bag in my sump. M.F. has just come out with a sump bag of their own incase you don't use there reactor....

good luck!
Brian

[docwells]

Claude,
Thanks for the help. I am going to order the system from cherry Corals. I will start at 50% of the dosage. I understand about the sand now. And you are right in that I have never seen any German tanks without sand. I am currently using a Sfiligoi XR4 pendant with a 400watt radium 20k bulb and four 24 inch T5's bulbs.

B_vanfossen,
Thanks for your sharing your experience. I am going to go with the filter bag for now. Claude did mention a cheaper automatic version of the reactor that will be out soon. I will wait and see what that looks like.

I am excited to see what Ultralith can do for my tank.

[docwells]

Claude,
One other quick question. Can a Zeovit reactor be used instead of an ultralith reactor. I was not sure this would be interchangeable. I found a deal on a zeovit reactor and wanted to ask about it's use.

[SeanT]

Wellington,
I have been consider this method as well, let me know if you choose to do it and what results you have.

Claude,
Many American's use the barebottom, no aragonte, method to help control nutrient levels.

Sean

[C. Schuhmacher]

HI Sean

Yes i see this but i did not like it and i must see that the dosings can be different with a bare bottom.

sure you can use another filter ;-)

Greets Claude

[recife111]

And you are right in that I have never seen any German tanks without sand.
Hence the reason I have never gone BB, Something that was popular in the 1970s.

I feel a little sand will allow for more bacteria and it will add some nutrients in the tank which is beneficial for the tank.
The sea is not BB:)

[docwells]

Sean,
I am making my order with Todd at Cherry Corals today. My ultralith stuff should be sent out today or tomorrow,. I will let you know how it turns out.

[b_vanfossen]

zeovit and ultralith use the same media for the bag/filter

[SeanT]

Thanks Wellington. :)

[SeanT]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12942514#post12942514 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by C. Schuhmacher
In short time we will have a new automatical system which is less expensiv.

Hi Claude,
Is there an estimated time frame for this?
Thanks,
Sean

[C. Schuhmacher]

Hi

Maybe till next week

To much stress at the moment :-)
greets Claude

[SeanT]

Sagen Sie mir bitte jetzt.

Excuse me, my German is a bit rusty. :)

[C. Schuhmacher]

Mid next week ok ?

[docwells]

Claude,
I started my Ultrlith system yesterday. I am excited. I stared at half the doeses in the manual as you directed. Now I will wait and see what happens.

Any word on the new automatic system which is suppose to be less expensive?
Thanks

[docwells]

So far so good on the Ultralith system. I am starting to get some corals to color up and it is only 2 weeks into the system.

Is there any new word on the new automatic system? I am thinking of buying a reactor and was holding out to see the new system.

[docwells]

Ok, I have some more questions for you Claude.

My tanks seems to be doing fine on the system. I started at half the recommended doses of all the additive. Per the manual, I need to drop the dose of Ultramin S and UltraBaK as nutrients drop. Do I drop back from the half dosing I am doing? Do I every go to the regular full dosing guidleines or do I always stay with half dosing as my tank is bare bottom ( no sand).

As far as Ultrabio, after the 2 week phase, do I go the dosing every 3 days until the next ultralith exchange or do take a break for one week and repeat doing for 2 weeks? Both of these are stated in the manual, and I was wondering which one is correct.

And lastly, are the power tace elements dosed weekly or daily? Does it matter either way?

Thanks for the help.