Will's 300g Mixed Reef Re-Boot - Page 3

WLachnit · 08/08/2017, 02:40 PM

Gyre or chaos...that is the question.

I have my flow currently setup as a gyre as shown in the pic below. I'm using 3 MP40WQDs and 2 Maxspect Gyre 150s. As I went to replace one of my MP40s (cuz the motor got really loud...and I couldn't stand the noise), I set it up temporarily such that I caused less of a gyre and perhaps more chaotic flow. As a result, it seemed that there was much more movement in the tank. Anyway, I now wonder if I'm better off just setting up the powerheads without worrying if I have a gyre or not? Besides, the Maxspects are too noisy for me. So, I would like to pull those out.

WLachnit · 08/11/2017, 11:29 PM

Well...still playing around a bit with the flow pattern. For now, I have decided to turn down my Maxspect Gyres to about 40% so that I don't hear them. Any higher than that and the sound becomes noticeable. I will try to rebuild the noisy MP40 dryside by replacing the bearings. This will then give me a total of 4 MP40s along with the 2 Gyres.

WLachnit · 08/15/2017, 04:08 PM

On a completely different note, I have been ignoring the STN on my purple stag. I kept thinking that I need to deal with it and just kept putting it off. As I was staring at my tank before the lights came on with only the morning sun on my tank, ...yikes...it became really apparent how bad the STN had gotten. So, it was time to pull it out and save as much I could . I have had pretty good success stopping STN by sealing the necrotic edge with superglue, but the STN was really advanced here. So, I cut it up trying to save as much as possible. Should have a couple frags for the swap.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

WLachnit · 08/15/2017, 04:10 PM

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

WLachnit · 08/20/2017, 07:09 PM

Just introduced my juvenile ocellaris clown. He is so small that I wasn't sure how my female was going to react. But it appears that all is good. I put him in a clear tube to introduce him near my nems and the female. Seems like it worked!

WLachnit · 08/20/2017, 07:17 PM

WLachnit · 08/26/2017, 12:29 AM

So...on the basis of a few recommendations, I went ahead and ordered a Mars 300w LED grow light from Amazon for my fuge.
https://www.amazon.com/MarsHydro-Spe...00w+grow+light

I thought I would go down this path and see how it goes...rather than pulling the trigger on something like the Kessil H380. Anyway, this thing is a beast! Didn't realize how big or bright it was going to be. It's actually pretty heavy as well...so have to figure out best way to hang it.

WLachnit · 08/31/2017, 09:57 AM

I still haven't had a chance to hook up the Mars light. But I started dosing low amounts of NoPox in the meantime and it looks like over the course of 9 days, NO3 has gone from 25-30 to 15. Of course I also tweaked my skimmer at the same time. If this stays the course, I will most likely take my biopellet reactor off line.

WLachnit · 09/09/2017, 10:08 PM

Well...it's official.... my CITR Red Dragon RTNd completely in about 36h.....

It's now been another week with nitrates at 12.-15. So, not sure if that caused the change? We also had a heatwave and my DT ran about 2 deg higher for 5d.

From this

To this

I've now sworn off red dragons!

JVU · 09/09/2017, 10:21 PM

Bummer about your Red Dragon. Are others doing ok?

NOPOX is amazingly effective at reducing NO3 and PO4!

WLachnit · 09/10/2017, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JVU

Bummer about your Red Dragon. Are others doing ok?

NOPOX is amazingly effective at reducing NO3 and PO4!

Well...I thought my Red Dragon was the only affected coral. But, as I now look more closely, there are several other SPS that have lost some color and one of my acro colonies have the tinest bit of brown algae at the tips which I can blow off with a baster. My nitrates are down to 8 ...so maybe it was too fast.

WLachnit · 09/12/2017, 08:17 AM

Finally got around to installing my Mars fuge light. Holy cow...this thing is a beast!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

McPuff · 09/12/2017, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WLachnit

Finally got around to installing my Mars fuge light. Holy cow...this thing is a beast!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Indeed! I've got one on my refugium and it certainly outperforms the sodium lamp I had on it beforehand (and that thing was no slouch!).

WLachnit · 09/12/2017, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McPuff

Indeed! I've got one on my refugium and it certainly outperforms the sodium lamp I had on it beforehand (and that thing was no slouch!).

Yes, not only crazy bright, but you can just tell the spectrum is very different from coral lighting.

WLachnit · 09/19/2017, 06:04 AM

Decided to pull 2 of my 3 BTA anemones out. They had stayed put for months, but started walking around quite a bit a couple of weeks ago. I had given them quite a bit of rom away from my SPS, but after stinging my Birdsnest, it was time to go. I wonder now...I had stopped feeding them Silversides...and may be their light requirements changed, causing them to walk?

WLachnit · 09/24/2017, 02:36 PM

I'm keeping the one nem for now, but he definitely likes to stretch out and his tentacles wave close by my calacali Acro.

WLachnit · 10/13/2017, 11:12 PM

After a couple weeks of fantastic macro growth, it has now stalled out for the last couple of weeks. I'm also dosing some NOPOx which maybe has thrown off my NO3:PO4 ratio? Maybe my water has low iron?

So, for grins and giggles I'm sending off a water sample for ICP analysis. Perhaps that may giv me some insight.

kenneth wolfe · 10/14/2017, 02:34 AM

I'm looking , I might not see it, but is there some kind of kalk on ato?

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

kenneth wolfe · 10/14/2017, 02:49 AM

If not a simple kalk reactor is great for combating it.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

kenneth wolfe · 10/14/2017, 02:51 AM

My other thought is in your sump w algae , remove the rock, promote spin of your algae.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

WLachnit · 10/17/2017, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenneth wolfe

I'm looking , I might not see it, but is there some kind of kalk on ato?

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

Actually, I don't use kalk. I'm curious how that would help?

WLachnit · 10/17/2017, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenneth wolfe

My other thought is in your sump w algae , remove the rock, promote spin of your algae.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

Good point, my algae doesn't spin...and I'm sure that doesn't help. Maybe I'll setup a small power head to see if I can get it to tumble.

McPuff · 10/18/2017, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WLachnit

Good point, my algae doesn't spin...and I'm sure that doesn't help. Maybe I'll setup a small power head to see if I can get it to tumble.

I don't tumble chaeto at all in the refugium... it grows quite well and very dense. I do have a pulsing action in there though, so maybe that serves the same, or similar, purpose. Your mars aqua light will penetrate pretty deep into some dense chaeto and still light the underside. Trust me.

kenneth wolfe · 10/18/2017, 12:41 PM

Not to split hares , a slow tumble on 24 hour light imo is best, in theory if the algae was so dense that light only penetrates one side then a slow tumble will expose the unlit areas more effectively. Just far more efficient..

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

JVU · 10/18/2017, 12:58 PM

I agree with the tumbling theory for optimization (and cool factor), but practically speaking since you have a bright refugium light the algae should be filling the whole refugium space very quickly without any tumbling, under the right water conditions. Mine doesn’t tumble and I’m taking out basketball size clumps every couple weeks or else it gets too packed in there.

I don’t think it is likely that the cause of stalled chaeto is because it isn’t tumbling. More likely that you don’t have enough of some nutrients for it to grow. Since you are using NOPOX, that is the most likely candidate, since it will consume the NO3 and PO4 faster via bacteria that out-compete macroalgae.

08/08/2017, 02:40 PM	#51
WLachnit Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,722	Gyre or chaos...that is the question. I have my flow currently setup as a gyre as shown in the pic below. I'm using 3 MP40WQDs and 2 Maxspect Gyre 150s. As I went to replace one of my MP40s (cuz the motor got really loud...and I couldn't stand the noise), I set it up temporarily such that I caused less of a gyre and perhaps more chaotic flow. As a result, it seemed that there was much more movement in the tank. Anyway, I now wonder if I'm better off just setting up the powerheads without worrying if I have a gyre or not? Besides, the Maxspects are too noisy for me. So, I would like to pull those out. __________________ (1) 300g mixed reef (Starfire DT) + 100g Sump (2) 100g Softie tank (Starfire DT) My Build Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=263472

08/11/2017, 11:29 PM	#52
WLachnit Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,722	Well...still playing around a bit with the flow pattern. For now, I have decided to turn down my Maxspect Gyres to about 40% so that I don't hear them. Any higher than that and the sound becomes noticeable. I will try to rebuild the noisy MP40 dryside by replacing the bearings. This will then give me a total of 4 MP40s along with the 2 Gyres. __________________ (1) 300g mixed reef (Starfire DT) + 100g Sump (2) 100g Softie tank (Starfire DT) My Build Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=263472

08/15/2017, 04:08 PM	#53
WLachnit Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,722	On a completely different note, I have been ignoring the STN on my purple stag. I kept thinking that I need to deal with it and just kept putting it off. As I was staring at my tank before the lights came on with only the morning sun on my tank, ...yikes...it became really apparent how bad the STN had gotten. So, it was time to pull it out and save as much I could . I have had pretty good success stopping STN by sealing the necrotic edge with superglue, but the STN was really advanced here. So, I cut it up trying to save as much as possible. Should have a couple frags for the swap. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk __________________ (1) 300g mixed reef (Starfire DT) + 100g Sump (2) 100g Softie tank (Starfire DT) My Build Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=263472

08/15/2017, 04:10 PM	#54
WLachnit Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,722	Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk __________________ (1) 300g mixed reef (Starfire DT) + 100g Sump (2) 100g Softie tank (Starfire DT) My Build Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=263472

08/20/2017, 07:09 PM	#55
WLachnit Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,722	Just introduced my juvenile ocellaris clown. He is so small that I wasn't sure how my female was going to react. But it appears that all is good. I put him in a clear tube to introduce him near my nems and the female. Seems like it worked! __________________ (1) 300g mixed reef (Starfire DT) + 100g Sump (2) 100g Softie tank (Starfire DT) My Build Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=263472

08/20/2017, 07:17 PM	#56
WLachnit Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,722	__________________ (1) 300g mixed reef (Starfire DT) + 100g Sump (2) 100g Softie tank (Starfire DT) My Build Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=263472

08/26/2017, 12:29 AM	#57
WLachnit Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,722	So...on the basis of a few recommendations, I went ahead and ordered a Mars 300w LED grow light from Amazon for my fuge. https://www.amazon.com/MarsHydro-Spe...00w+grow+light I thought I would go down this path and see how it goes...rather than pulling the trigger on something like the Kessil H380. Anyway, this thing is a beast! Didn't realize how big or bright it was going to be. It's actually pretty heavy as well...so have to figure out best way to hang it. __________________ (1) 300g mixed reef (Starfire DT) + 100g Sump (2) 100g Softie tank (Starfire DT) My Build Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=263472

08/31/2017, 09:57 AM	#58
WLachnit Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,722	I still haven't had a chance to hook up the Mars light. But I started dosing low amounts of NoPox in the meantime and it looks like over the course of 9 days, NO3 has gone from 25-30 to 15. Of course I also tweaked my skimmer at the same time. If this stays the course, I will most likely take my biopellet reactor off line. __________________ (1) 300g mixed reef (Starfire DT) + 100g Sump (2) 100g Softie tank (Starfire DT) My Build Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=263472

09/09/2017, 10:08 PM	#59
WLachnit Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,722	Will's 300g Mixed Reef Re-Boot Well...it's official.... my CITR Red Dragon RTNd completely in about 36h..... It's now been another week with nitrates at 12.-15. So, not sure if that caused the change? We also had a heatwave and my DT ran about 2 deg higher for 5d. From this To this I've now sworn off red dragons! __________________ (1) 300g mixed reef (Starfire DT) + 100g Sump (2) 100g Softie tank (Starfire DT) My Build Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=263472

09/09/2017, 10:21 PM	#60
JVU Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: East Bay, Northern California Posts: 83	Bummer about your Red Dragon. Are others doing ok? NOPOX is amazingly effective at reducing NO3 and PO4!

09/12/2017, 08:17 AM	#62
WLachnit Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,722	Finally got around to installing my Mars fuge light. Holy cow...this thing is a beast! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ (1) 300g mixed reef (Starfire DT) + 100g Sump (2) 100g Softie tank (Starfire DT) My Build Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=263472

09/19/2017, 06:04 AM	#65
WLachnit Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,722	Decided to pull 2 of my 3 BTA anemones out. They had stayed put for months, but started walking around quite a bit a couple of weeks ago. I had given them quite a bit of rom away from my SPS, but after stinging my Birdsnest, it was time to go. I wonder now...I had stopped feeding them Silversides...and may be their light requirements changed, causing them to walk? __________________ (1) 300g mixed reef (Starfire DT) + 100g Sump (2) 100g Softie tank (Starfire DT) My Build Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=263472

09/24/2017, 02:36 PM	#66
WLachnit Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,722	I'm keeping the one nem for now, but he definitely likes to stretch out and his tentacles wave close by my calacali Acro. __________________ (1) 300g mixed reef (Starfire DT) + 100g Sump (2) 100g Softie tank (Starfire DT) My Build Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=263472

10/13/2017, 11:12 PM	#67
WLachnit Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,722	After a couple weeks of fantastic macro growth, it has now stalled out for the last couple of weeks. I'm also dosing some NOPOx which maybe has thrown off my NO3:PO4 ratio? Maybe my water has low iron? So, for grins and giggles I'm sending off a water sample for ICP analysis. Perhaps that may giv me some insight. __________________ (1) 300g mixed reef (Starfire DT) + 100g Sump (2) 100g Softie tank (Starfire DT) My Build Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=263472

10/14/2017, 02:34 AM	#68
kenneth wolfe Moved On Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Galveston Co. Posts: 853	I'm looking , I might not see it, but is there some kind of kalk on ato? Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk Last edited by kenneth wolfe; 10/14/2017 at 02:48 AM.

10/14/2017, 02:49 AM	#69
kenneth wolfe Moved On Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Galveston Co. Posts: 853	If not a simple kalk reactor is great for combating it. Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

10/14/2017, 02:51 AM	#70
kenneth wolfe Moved On Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Galveston Co. Posts: 853	My other thought is in your sump w algae , remove the rock, promote spin of your algae. Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

10/18/2017, 12:41 PM	#74
kenneth wolfe Moved On Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Galveston Co. Posts: 853	Not to split hares , a slow tumble on 24 hour light imo is best, in theory if the algae was so dense that light only penetrates one side then a slow tumble will expose the unlit areas more effectively. Just far more efficient.. Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

10/18/2017, 12:58 PM	#75
JVU Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: East Bay, Northern California Posts: 83	I agree with the tumbling theory for optimization (and cool factor), but practically speaking since you have a bright refugium light the algae should be filling the whole refugium space very quickly without any tumbling, under the right water conditions. Mine doesn’t tumble and I’m taking out basketball size clumps every couple weeks or else it gets too packed in there. I don’t think it is likely that the cause of stalled chaeto is because it isn’t tumbling. More likely that you don’t have enough of some nutrients for it to grow. Since you are using NOPOX, that is the most likely candidate, since it will consume the NO3 and PO4 faster via bacteria that out-compete macroalgae.