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Unread 04/22/2018, 02:08 PM   #51
RobZilla04
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bertoni View Post
Okay, the corals seem to have turned the corner.
Indeed, not a drastic change by any stretch but plenty happy to see the turn in the right direction. Will continue to monitor. Added a couple cheap birds nests to test the improved parameters with new healthy frags. Fingers crossed!


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Unread 04/24/2018, 04:31 AM   #52
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Grrr, frustrations continue. Moving past water chemistry and moving on to possible pests. Last night I discovered some, thus in an effort to get additional eyes on my new angle a new thread was started. It can be found here:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...8#post25422568


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Unread 04/24/2018, 09:44 PM   #53
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I agree that it looks like a filter feeder. I'd leave it alone, personally.


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Unread 04/25/2018, 04:12 AM   #54
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Same response I got in my new thread. Unfortunately after a few days of increased flow some of the LPS went back to a shrivled look. I did a water changed yesterday afternoon and dipped a few of those in Coral Rx and replaced them to the same position.

This water change was just under two weeks from the previous and was again about 20% (15g).


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Unread 05/17/2018, 05:48 AM   #55
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UPDATE:

On 5/8 I performed a 20g (20-25%) WC along with cleaning of the wave makers, skimmer, return pump (ran in Vinegar/RODI for 40 min), and vacuumed the sump. Also I completely cut off the organic carbon dosing on this date.

This brings my system back to pretty much just the basics. Mechanical filtration of blue/white filter floss & poly pad. Skimmer and UV Sterilizer. No additions other than dosing of Alk & Cal to supplement for consumption.

Feeding of fish is still twice a day (frozen Mysis, brine, & pellets). Occasionally (no more than once a week) feeding of the coral (reef roids and/or Rod's coral blend). No more Reef energy A/B.

Thus far its been 8 or 9 days since then and typically here is where I would see the downturn of the corals. Usually the WC of 10-15g would perk them up, followed by the downward slide after about a week. LPS usually begin to droop and close up. SPS still not showing any real signs of PE, yet the tissue loss has halted on some new test frags that were put in a week or ten days before this big maintenance day on 5/8.

Completely different thus far. I'm being cautious in my assessment and sticking with no carbon dosing while monitoring nutrient levels.

Alk - 8.7
Nitrates - 15-20
Phos - .16
Cal - 400+
Mg - ? (Red Sea kit sucks)

Just sharing to keep this thread rolling for anyone following or searching in the future.


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Unread 05/17/2018, 09:41 PM   #56
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That's interesting. I hope the tank keeps improving. So it seems to be related to the carbon dosing?


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Unread 05/20/2018, 09:30 AM   #57
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bertoni View Post
That's interesting. I hope the tank keeps improving. So it seems to be related to the carbon dosing?
As best I can tell that would the variable. Never got a bacterial bloom as everyone describes from over dosing. Still haven't added since the last change and everything still looks great.

Gonna go with "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" from now on.


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Unread 05/23/2018, 05:31 PM   #58
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Shocking test numbers today. Before you read below I must say, I have zero, zip, zilch algae.

Alk 9.1
Cal 420
Mg ?
Nitrates 50ppm (that's right 50)
Phos .28
1.026
79.5 degrees

Haven't done a full test since the big main day on 5/8. That's almost 2 weeks ago. Reason was I would've freak had I seen those numbers. Gonna do a 15g water change, cut back on feeding, and stop vacuuming the sand for a while to hopefully get some natural filtration and reduce those values.

SPS coral aren't growing aside from two types of birdsnest, but they aren't showing signs of deteriorating either. LPS still showing signs of good health and growth.


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Unread 05/23/2018, 11:28 PM   #59
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That's a significant growth in phosphate. I think your plan is fine, though.


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Unread 05/31/2018, 05:54 PM   #60
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New results tonight, 8 days since the last.

Sal 1.0255
pH 8
Alk 9
Cal 445
Mg?
Nitrates 50+
Phos .33
Temp 80

Debating going back to minimal carbon dosing (4 or 5 ml daily). I just don't want the nitrates and phosphates to get outta control. Some would consider the numbers above already way high. Algae and cyano are not something I wanna deal with.


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Unread 06/01/2018, 09:53 AM   #61
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Well, as long as the tank is doing well enough, I wouldn't worry just yet.


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Unread 06/01/2018, 01:41 PM   #62
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Quote:
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Well, as long as the tank is doing well enough, I wouldn't worry just yet.
Thx I'll hold off.


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Unread 07/10/2018, 05:32 AM   #63
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In a continued effort to track progression I have started dosing carbon and am currently running GFO in a reactor. Both Nitrates and Phosphates have dramatically increased over the past month.

Nitrates are 80+ (stupid color test)
Phosphates .45ppm (Hanna)

As I checked my log, I stopped carbon dosing on 5/8. Since then these values have climbed steadily. Still no signs of algae and most coral have maintained though none have shown any signs of growth either.

Guess ill bring these back into check and keep up with biweekly (possibly weekly) water changes at this point.


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Unread 07/10/2018, 09:57 PM   #64
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With the phosphate level at .45 ppm, I'd expect the GFO to last a few hours at most. That's fairly high.


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Unread 07/11/2018, 04:48 AM   #65
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Quote:
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With the phosphate level at .45 ppm, I'd expect the GFO to last a few hours at most. That's fairly high.
Today is day three, guess Ill be swapping it out this afternoon. I need to wait for some more Hanna ULR reagents to arrive before I can accurately test again though.


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Unread 07/11/2018, 11:12 PM   #66
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Okay, I wouldn't throw away media until I was sure of the test results.


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Unread 07/12/2018, 02:50 PM   #67
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Nitrates 60ish (color test)
Phosphates .107

Guess the quick GFO dropped the Po4 and there aren't many tied up in the substrate or rock.

Nitrates should be easy via continued carbon dosing (5ml) and the addition of Marinepure bio spheres media.


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