Melev's new 280g Starfire tank thread

[JohnL]

This thread was automatically split due to performance issues. You can find the rest of the thread here: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...0#post13967860

[Mykel Obvious]

Marc,
I noticed a discrepancy on the Blue Life Phosphate Control I ordered, and would like your take on it as you are the only person I know using it.

The box says use 3 drops/10 gallons/ 0.5 ppm max in 24 hrs., my bottle says 6 drops for 0.5 ppm max in 24 hrs. and the web site says 6 drops for 1 ppm max in 24 hrs. I'm totally lost and was wondering what you used per 10 gallons in your system

I have a square box, not the tube shown on the site, so it could be an older package on a newer bottle?

EDIT: Woohoo! Thread Split... time for more photos and a recap!!

[Kigs]

2nd! w00t. congrats on the x^th split.

[kmacartney]

Marc,
Your Monti on the sponge pic is funny to me as I just found some Monti growing on bubble algae in my reef.

[tgunn]

Originally posted by melev
That is something I discussed with Steve Weast and Evan a few months ago, and he described his vacuuming system. It wasn't what you'd expect, as he was simply replacing the 'decorative' sand each time rather than merely trying to lift the detritus from the strata.

If I move larger pieces of LR on occasion, there is definitely a dust cloud that rises, but I don't think it all settles again. The flow in my tank is pretty good, so I'd hope some of it makes it down to the sump for the skimmer to export.

Hmm, that's definitely not how I would have expected the SSB maintenance to work! It sounds like that'd result in a somewhat sterile sand bed. Though I guess with the size of tank Steve ran that might not be an issue.

I'm pretty partial to all the critters that seem to take up residence in the sand, and I don't have amazing access to be able to get into my tank to clean the sand that thoroughly.

I think the flow is probably where I've gone wrong recently in my setup. The position of my streams and return lines means I get a lot of flow originating at the top of the tank, swirling down to the bottom. I have a feeling a lot of detritus is ending up at the bottom as a result.

I'm planning on mounting my streams a lot lower in the tank and aiming them up to try to get the flow to tend upwards in the tank. We'll see how that works.

Thanks,
Tyler

[token]

As always, GREAT thread!

I just caught up through about four splits since I took a hiatus over the last year. It's good to see the success that amount of time has accomplished. I applaud your diligent efforts to continue to improve both your husbandry and our likelihood of success by the documentation of your results. Your single thread, in multiple chapters, is about as exhaustive a document as can be found on the web (or in a bookstore) pertaining to this hobby. It is truly an inspiration.

Thanks!

[michika]

Congrats on the split!

Marc, have you ever swapped your sand?

[JRaquatics]

Awe man another split.
Congrats... Now you have to do a recap from the start.

[Tswifty]

^^^
Yeah where's the recap!

Congrats on the Split.

[Goodwin9]

Perfect opportunity to take and post new pictures again.....

[melev]

You guys are a bunch of brats. Now look what you did to my thread.


Quick recap - The reef is over 4 years old (August 04 to now)

280g Starfire glass Reef-ready tank
150g sump and refugium built by me
Euroreef CS12-2 protein skimmer
Lifereef Calcium reactor with Milwaukee pH controller
Aqua Controller III to control lighting, heat, and log some parameters
55g water change monthly
100gpd RO/DI used for top offs and to make more saltwater
Kent Sea Salt or Red Sea Pro

Most recent full tank shot


This year's water tests


The variety of fish are fed daily, often twice a day:
Daytime: Sera pellet food or Arcti-Pods
Every few days: 1/2 sheet of Nori
Nightly: Mixture of frozen Cyclop-eeze and Mini Mysis, unless I have some DIY fishfood on hand.

I dose Vodka daily (10ml as of this posting), and Magnesium when needed every 6 weeks.

[melev]

Originally posted by Mykel Obvious
Marc,
I noticed a discrepancy on the Blue Life Phosphate Control I ordered, and would like your take on it as you are the only person I know using it.

The box says use 3 drops/10 gallons/ 0.5 ppm max in 24 hrs., my bottle says 6 drops for 0.5 ppm max in 24 hrs. and the web site says 6 drops for 1 ppm max in 24 hrs. I'm totally lost and was wondering what you used per 10 gallons in your system

I have a square box, not the tube shown on the site, so it could be an older package on a newer bottle?

EDIT: Woohoo! Thread Split... time for more photos and a recap!!

The box is not labeled like the tube was, and the website doesn't seem to match either. When I did my math, I figured I needed 120 drops (3 drops per 10g) to drop my reef from .5 to 0 - which is what would be needed to treat 400g of water. I dosed on the high side because I wanted it out, rather than to underdose.

When I dose this type of product (like I did with Phosbuster Pro by Caribsea), I always do it late at night when the reef is at rest. I don't want the fish swimming hard through the flocculant, and hope that their slower breathing while asleep can handle it better. Just something I do, not that I have any proof that I'm right.

The lavendar frilly mushrooms really hate the stuff, but after a couple of days they resume looking totally back to normal.

Originally posted by Kigs
2nd! w00t. congrats on the x^th split.

Looks like this is Split #15, page 717 of this ongoing diary.

Originally posted by kmacartney
Marc,
Your Monti on the sponge pic is funny to me as I just found some Monti growing on bubble algae in my reef.

Some corals will grow just about anywhere if the circumstances allow it.

[David - Miami]

Marc do you think the high amount of vodka your tank needs is an indication of subpar performance of your skimmer. I am thinking maybe you need to replace it.

[melev]

Originally posted by tgunn
Hmm, that's definitely not how I would have expected the SSB maintenance to work! It sounds like that'd result in a somewhat sterile sand bed. Though I guess with the size of tank Steve ran that might not be an issue.

I'm pretty partial to all the critters that seem to take up residence in the sand, and I don't have amazing access to be able to get into my tank to clean the sand that thoroughly.

I think the flow is probably where I've gone wrong recently in my setup. The position of my streams and return lines means I get a lot of flow originating at the top of the tank, swirling down to the bottom. I have a feeling a lot of detritus is ending up at the bottom as a result.

I'm planning on mounting my streams a lot lower in the tank and aiming them up to try to get the flow to tend upwards in the tank. We'll see how that works.

Thanks,
Tyler

I don't want to speak for Steve, so I'll just say that it was my impression after our conversation is that he likes nice white sand and thus will siphon out what is there and replace it with new. He did say that it was only one bag's worth, so it wasn't a big expense.

I add two bags to my reef every six months!

That sounds like a better idea, moving some pumps lower and pointing them upward slightly. I used to have a Tunze 6100 Stream pump about 6" off the sand, pointed upwards slightly. That took care of the needed flow down low in the reef. The two returns hit the front glass and create downward flow across the visible sandbed in the front section of my reef.

Originally posted by token
As always, GREAT thread!

I just caught up through about four splits since I took a hiatus over the last year. It's good to see the success that amount of time has accomplished. I applaud your diligent efforts to continue to improve both your husbandry and our likelihood of success by the documentation of your results. Your single thread, in multiple chapters, is about as exhaustive a document as can be found on the web (or in a bookstore) pertaining to this hobby. It is truly an inspiration.

Thanks!

Back To Reef Central

Why did you take your haitus? Glad you are back with us again.

Can you imagine turning this thread into a book? Ugh. That sounds too much like work.

Originally posted by michika
Congrats on the split!

Marc, have you ever swapped your sand?

No, not since this tank was set up. It was rinsed out in buckets with a garden hose. Here's a picture of John bringing back some that was ready to use in 2004.



I have replenished the sand as I mentioned above. Probably 3 to 4 bags a year.

Originally posted by JRaquatics
Awe man another split.
Congrats... Now you have to do a recap from the start.

Done.

Originally posted by Tswifty8
^^^
Yeah where's the recap!

Congrats on the Split.

Done. Not as beautifully as the ones you do, but everyone has their own unique specialty.

Originally posted by Goodwin9
Perfect opportunity to take and post new pictures again.....

I don't need a reason to take pictures.

[melev]

Originally posted by David - Miami
Marc do you think the high amount of vodka your tank needs is an indication of subpar performance of your skimmer. I am thinking maybe you need to replace it.

I need to get new pumps, which will cost about $450. However, I also have to pay some bills this month.

[Dyraxe]

Man I love your tank! I had to go buy and aquacontroller 3 after reading your thread and I will use your excuse to my wife ( how I had it all along and now I am just fixing it) lol.

[token]

Originally posted by melev


Why did you take your haitus? Glad you are back with us again.

Can you imagine turning this thread into a book? Ugh. That sounds too much like work.

I got really busy so my reading the forums (and my remodel) were where I cut back. I left the fish room running, which was an education in itself. It's amazing how cool a garage (a really old garage, too... with a dirt floor, no less...) under really large pecan trees can be in a Texas summer. It's equally amazing how warm that same garage can be in our recent cold snap..... thankfully!

As to the book.... well, this is good but I would certainly buy (and reference often) the accumulated knowledge.

Imagine it.... a book with your experience and a sequel with Weatherson's and a third installment with Hop's and then we can start with another set that has Jonathon's....

It's a DIY DREAM!!!

[PoukieBear]

Originally posted by melev

I add two bags to my reef every six months!



I have replenished the sand as I mentioned above. Probably 3 to 4 bags a year.

Marc, Why do you keep adding sand to your tank? Where does it go?!

[Jessy.]

nice another split...congrats and the tank is looking awesome. So are your pics with the new camera. I get mine tomorrow

[tgunn]

Originally posted by melev
I don't want to speak for Steve, so I'll just say that it was my impression after our conversation is that he likes nice white sand and thus will siphon out what is there and replace it with new. He did say that it was only one bag's worth, so it wasn't a big expense.

I add two bags to my reef every six months!

That sounds like a better idea, moving some pumps lower and pointing them upward slightly. I used to have a Tunze 6100 Stream pump about 6" off the sand, pointed upwards slightly. That took care of the needed flow down low in the reef. The two returns hit the front glass and create downward flow across the visible sandbed in the front section of my reef.

Fair enough; I DO like the nice clean white look of his sand. I only wish I had the amazing access to the tank that he had in his setup.

Wow, the acidic anoxic area in the DSB must really eat up the sand then, because I've never really went through sand in my tank. Interesting none the less!

Tyler

[melev]

Originally posted by token
I got really busy so my reading the forums (and my remodel) were where I cut back. I left the fish room running, which was an education in itself. It's amazing how cool a garage (a really old garage, too... with a dirt floor, no less...) under really large pecan trees can be in a Texas summer. It's equally amazing how warm that same garage can be in our recent cold snap..... thankfully!

As to the book.... well, this is good but I would certainly buy (and reference often) the accumulated knowledge.

Imagine it.... a book with your experience and a sequel with Weatherson's and a third installment with Hop's and then we can start with another set that has Jonathon's....

It's a DIY DREAM!!!

What a great concept. Now get everyone to commit to it.

Tomorrow we hit 72F again. This type of weather change will only lead to pneumonia unfortunately.

A dirt floor in a fish room. That sounds like a muddy situation on occasion. Did you put down some type of treated lumber decking in there to walk upon?

[melev]

Originally posted by PoukieBear
Marc, Why do you keep adding sand to your tank? Where does it go?!

Some of it moves to the back of the tank courtesy of the Tigertail Cucumbers, and some of it due to the flow. But I really do think some of it dissolves away too.

Originally posted by Jessy.
nice another split...congrats and the tank is looking awesome. So are your pics with the new camera. I get mine tomorrow

Sweet! You better remember to keep the battery charged.

Originally posted by tgunn
Fair enough; I DO like the nice clean white look of his sand. I only wish I had the amazing access to the tank that he had in his setup.

Wow, the acidic anoxic area in the DSB must really eat up the sand then, because I've never really went through sand in my tank. Interesting none the less!

Tyler

Since I never siphon any out, it has to be going somewhere. So that is my theory, which was really someone else's theory that they told me about years ago. It seems that they were correct.

[michika]

I am pretty sure I need to add sand to my own system. How do you do it without causing a sand storm, and throwing anything out of wack?

[melev]

All I do is wipe down the bag first, cut open the bag and lower it into the tank and let it pour in one spot that is devoid of corals temporarily. Then I smooth it out.

The pumps may be off during the actual pouring, but I'm not sure if I do that every time. The skimmer then pulls out the particulates and within a few hours it looks fine again. The next day, it looks brand new.

[2farNorth]

Without going back through mutliple splits, and what-not, and while were on the subject, what sand do you use? Also, does adding it cause any type of mini cycle?