My 65G Shallow Reef Tank - Page 55

DiscusHeckel · 09/22/2018, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janci

The boredom of a well faring reef tank... Reef goals!

I have no idea what you meant by "Reef goals".

sde1500 · 09/22/2018, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiscusHeckel

I have no idea what you meant by "Reef goals".

I believe he means it’s everyone’s goal to have a successful grown out tank going well. Where now boredom sets in a bit with it since there isn’t much tinkering left to do.

Rogerga · 10/02/2018, 07:11 PM

Wow what a fantastic journey and well documented @discus . Congratulations

DiscusHeckel · 10/15/2018, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sde1500

I believe he means it’s everyone’s goal to have a successful grown out tank going well. Where now boredom sets in a bit with it since there isn’t much tinkering left to do.

Thanks for your interpretation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogerga

Wow what a fantastic journey and well documented @discus . Congratulations

Thanks.

DiscusHeckel · 10/15/2018, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ancelot

It’s hammer time!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I agree. It is hammer time. Hammer is a wonderful tool especially if it is used in conjunction with a screw driver.

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reefmutt · 10/15/2018, 05:26 PM

Wow! So to quote a famous Quentin Tarantino movie, you went medieval on your tanks ***!!
You are a stone cold steward of that tank or yours Bulent.
A proficient, and talented stone cold steward!

biodegraded · 10/16/2018, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiscusHeckel

I agree. It is hammer time. Hammer is a wonderful tool especially if it is used in conjunction with a screw driver.

IMG_5256

Ummmm - yikes! If the aquarium rescape doesn't work out, you still have a promising future as an inquisitor...

lanshark · 10/16/2018, 09:50 PM

Great read and congrats on all the success....

I seem to be reading quite a few threads where alkalinity is being kept low 7.xx or even 6.xx dkh? Why not target natural sea water alkalinity? What is your thinking?

Also, see you like Millepora

Do you have any special care requirements for the mille’s as some folk struggle with that sub-species of Acropora?

Cheers!

DiscusHeckel · 10/17/2018, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lanshark

Great read and congrats on all the success....

I seem to be reading quite a few threads where alkalinity is being kept low 7.xx or even 6.xx dkh? Why not target natural sea water alkalinity? What is your thinking?

Also, see you like Millepora

Do you have any special care requirements for the mille’s as some folk struggle with that sub-species of Acropora?

Cheers!

Thank you.

I usually keep my alkalinity well below 7 dKH (in average about 6.4 dKH). My understanding is that this sort of reading is consistent with alkalinity readings in the ocean.Through experimentation with different alkalinity levels, typically between 6-9 dKH, over the years, I noticed that my corals are in their happiest state of health when alkalinity is below 7 dKH. This level does not even impede coral growth as you can see from various pictures I posted in my tank thread.

In my experience, Acropora millepora requires a lot of light and flow to flourish. If growth is stunted, it is most likely due to lack of these parameters. They also seem quite fragile. In my tank, historically, they are one of the first (along with Acropora yongei) to show ailment when things go in pair shape. For example, one of the most colourful milleporas in my tank could not handle my "medieval" practices.

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lanshark · 10/17/2018, 05:19 PM

Great info ... I also note my SPS seem happy with great PE even when alkalinity drifts down to 7.5 dkh range. I just start buffering up towards 8-8.5 dkh based on reading forums 🤫 and really no other good reason ... Think I might experiment a bit...

Cheers!

DiscusHeckel · 10/17/2018, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lanshark

Great info ... I also note my SPS seem happy with great PE even when alkalinity drifts down to 7.5 dkh range. I just start buffering up towards 8-8.5 dkh based on reading forums 🤫 and really no other good reason ... Think I might experiment a bit...

Cheers!

I do not worry about low alkalinity, which occasionally drops down to 5.4 dKH due to failure in my dose, because I use a kalkstirrer, which maintains pH levels at fairly high level (typically between 7.9 and 8.2). Without it, lower alkalinity has no leverage on pH as its buffering capacity becomes limited below 7 dKH. It is for this reason that I believe that most believe keep their alkalinity at 8 dKH or above.

DiscusHeckel · 10/17/2018, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefmutt

Wow! So to quote a famous Quentin Tarantino movie, you went medieval on your tanks ***!!
You are a stone cold steward of that tank or yours Bulent.
A proficient, and talented stone cold steward!

Thanks for your compliment Matt. I really like the quote.

When I looked at the particular photo exhibiting my tools afterwards, I really felt awkward about it subconsciously. It did not feel ethical somewhat.

Mav2 · 10/25/2018, 04:20 PM

You have absolutely killed me............i'm on holiday this week and my to-do list was considerable.....nothing was done!

I started reading your thread at 1.00pm and have only just finished!!!!!

Your attention to detail and lack of complacency is incredible. Thanks for the tank; thanks for the thread and thanks for providing the inspiration for my new project.

AkoAung · 10/26/2018, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiscusHeckel

I agree. It is hammer time. Hammer is a wonderful tool especially if it is used in conjunction with a screw driver.

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OMG. No way!!! Beautiful colonies!

But why?

Alex Costa · 10/26/2018, 11:41 PM

It's time for a brand new FTS....I think....I just think....

DiscusHeckel · 10/27/2018, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AkoAung

OMG. No way!!! Beautiful colonies!

But why?

Reason 1- Deforestation (all the unwanted growth, such as over spreading M. setosa, and undesirable corals, such as mushrooms and M. digitata, were removed).

Reason 2- Prevention of so-called "old tank syndrome" (2/3 of sand bed was removed and replaced with new one, and all the rocks were scrubbed and rinsed to remove detritus and vermetid snails, where necessary).

Reason 3- Rescaping (Acropora colonies that have enjoyed rampant growth (either due to high light or high flow or both) are repositioned to slightly lower light places. Other Acropora colonies that have not shown their full potential so far took their place. This may also result in uncovering "real estate" on live rock that was overshadowed previously. This may then means that new forestation can take place. Furthermore, a change of scenery is as good as a rest.

This is a biennial ritual that ensures that not only my reef stays healthy in long term, but also any complacency on my part can be interrupted.

DiscusHeckel · 10/27/2018, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mav2

You have absolutely killed me............i'm on holiday this week and my to-do list was considerable.....nothing was done!

I started reading your thread at 1.00pm and have only just finished!!!!!

Your attention to detail and lack of complacency is incredible. Thanks for the tank; thanks for the thread and thanks for providing the inspiration for my new project.

Thanks for reading my thread and your compliment. I appreciate it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Costa

It's time for a brand new FTS....I think....I just think....

It is almost time, but not just yet, Alex. I have quite a lot of setosa sub-colonies and frags to clear from the sand bed. I also need to "plant" new frags onto recently created "real estate", which I created as a result of rescaping. Hopefully, it won't be long. This is a hard work when you don't have enough length and depth in your tank. It is a constant struggle.

janci · 11/04/2018, 06:17 AM

Those were some serious measures to modify the scape and colony growth.
I am very curious to see how the tank is looking now.

Alex Costa · 11/25/2018, 07:54 PM

Bulent,
I started dosing TM Reef Actif today.
I think my tank needs some ..... "shake".
Are you still using it? What's your impressions about it?
Best regards,
Alex

DiscusHeckel · 11/26/2018, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Costa

Bulent,
I started dosing TM Reef Actif today.
I think my tank needs some ..... "shake".
Are you still using it? What's your impressions about it?
Best regards,
Alex

Hi Alex,

Yes, I am. I like the product and its rationale. I am committed to use it continuously.

Theoretically, the product should reduce inorganic phosphates, meaning that I should record reduction in PO4 using my test kit. I do not record such reduction. I do not know why. A possible explanation is not fixing the daily feeding amount. It varies from day to day. That said, I observe increased coral growth, which I can attribute to this product. I have a note on my Facebook page on TM Reef Actif in which I recorded my observations on its use for a period of time.

I have recently started to use the recommended dose once a week. Previously, I used to dose just over the half of the recommended dose once a week.

Cheers

Bulent

Alex Costa · 11/26/2018, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiscusHeckel

Hi Alex,

Yes, I am. I like the product and its rationale. I am committed to use it continuously.

Theoretically, the product should reduce inorganic phosphates, meaning that I should record reduction in PO4 using my test kit. I do not record such reduction. I do not know why. A possible explanation is not fixing the daily feeding amount. It varies from day to day. That said, I observe increased coral growth, which I can attribute to this product. I have a note on my Facebook page on TM Reef Actif in which I recorded my observations on its use for a period of time.

I have recently started to use the recommended dose once a week. Previously, I used to dose just over the half of the recommended dose once a week.

Cheers

Bulent

Did you note any changes in the aspect of the substract......or in the detritus over the tank in general?

reefmutt · 11/26/2018, 05:32 PM

Hey Bulent, another question for you.. will/would you give Coral Balance a try?
My understanding is that Coral Balance would have a stronger effect on po4 reduction than reef active. But I know the two products are purported to have similar effects in the reef...

Big E · 11/27/2018, 06:13 AM

My take on a P04 spike---

I have been using Bacto balance on my frag tank for one year now. Probably not news to you Bulent, but the product is great for steady state. It will keep the ratio balanced well, but if it gets knocked out of balance short term you have to intervene.

I used standard GFO to do this.............once my p04 gets back to under .10 the Bacto balance will keep the ratio intact again. I ran GFO for about 4 days and took it offline..............it's been months since and I've kept the same levels and ratios for the whole year.

I'm only dosing .3 mls a day for a 60g total volume system.

From my experience to date this is not a product to knock down high levels of either but great for maintaining standard levels that are widely used on most successful Acro systems.

For the past year my levels have kept steady---

P04- .05-.08ppm
No3- 5.0-10.0ppm

I don't think anyone needs to go down the road with actif or other products to band aid this. There just needs to be short term intervention.

reefmutt · 11/27/2018, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big E

My take on a P04 spike---

I have been using Bacto balance on my frag tank for one year now. Probably not news to you Bulent, but the product is great for steady state. It will keep the ratio balanced well, but if it gets knocked out of balance short term you have to intervene.

I used standard GFO to do this.............once my p04 gets back to under .10 the Bacto balance will keep the ratio intact again. I ran GFO for about 4 days and took it offline..............it's been months since and I've kept the same levels and ratios for the whole year.

I'm only dosing .3 mls a day for a 60g total volume system.

From my experience to date this is not a product to knock down high levels of either but great for maintaining standard levels that are widely used on most successful Acro systems.

For the past year my levels have kept steady---

P04- .05-.08ppm
No3- 5.0-10.0ppm

I don't think anyone needs to go down the road with actif or other products to band aid this. There just needs to be short term intervention.

Yep. Sage advice.
I’ve never used bacto balance but once again, I am considering it.. is it a liquid or powder and if liquid, could it be used with a dosing pump?

Big E · 11/27/2018, 08:56 AM

Hi Matt,

It's a liquid.........I use less than a 1ml a day so in my case it has to be hand dosed. I never used more than .7 and that was at start up.

I'm not sure I would trust a doser being accurate unless you would be dosing at least 5mls per dose.

10/15/2018, 05:26 PM	#1356
reefmutt Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Mtl. Canada Posts: 7,824	Wow! So to quote a famous Quentin Tarantino movie, you went medieval on your tanks ***!! You are a stone cold steward of that tank or yours Bulent. A proficient, and talented stone cold steward! __________________ Matt. Current Tank Info: 53x32.5x26 190g dt 60g of sumps 3 tank-100 gal frag system 6xAI prime 8xt5. 4x maxspect gyre. Skimz Dual internal sicce pump skimmer Deltec PF601s ca rx+Kalk stirrer

10/16/2018, 09:50 PM	#1358
lanshark It's Landshark, aka SNL Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: California Posts: 359	Great read and congrats on all the success.... I seem to be reading quite a few threads where alkalinity is being kept low 7.xx or even 6.xx dkh? Why not target natural sea water alkalinity? What is your thinking? Also, see you like Millepora Do you have any special care requirements for the mille’s as some folk struggle with that sub-species of Acropora? Cheers! __________________ "Live for tomorrow, yesterday is forever gone ..." Current Tank Info: Mixed Reef 66"x24"x22", 20g Sump/refugium 20g In-line Grow Out tank

10/17/2018, 05:19 PM	#1360
lanshark It's Landshark, aka SNL Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: California Posts: 359	Great info ... I also note my SPS seem happy with great PE even when alkalinity drifts down to 7.5 dkh range. I just start buffering up towards 8-8.5 dkh based on reading forums 🤫 and really no other good reason ... Think I might experiment a bit... Cheers! __________________ "Live for tomorrow, yesterday is forever gone ..." Current Tank Info: Mixed Reef 66"x24"x22", 20g Sump/refugium 20g In-line Grow Out tank

10/25/2018, 04:20 PM	#1363
Mav2 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: London Posts: 120	You have absolutely killed me............i'm on holiday this week and my to-do list was considerable.....nothing was done! I started reading your thread at 1.00pm and have only just finished!!!!! Your attention to detail and lack of complacency is incredible. Thanks for the tank; thanks for the thread and thanks for providing the inspiration for my new project. __________________ 180 Gallon Foam Rockwall ...48" x 30" x 24"....see my homepage for build thread. T5 and LED Lighting, Sump(overflow standpipe), Turbofloater SL 1000 skimmer. Eheim 1262 return, 2X Tunze 6085's , 2x Tunze 6055 Current Tank Info: Red sea reefer 250

10/26/2018, 11:41 PM	#1365
Alex Costa Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Itupeva - SP - Brasil Posts: 673	It's time for a brand new FTS....I think....I just think.... __________________ https://www.flickr.com/photos/49229306@N02/ http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/current-issue/article/153-tank-of-the-month Current Tank Info: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2596707

10/02/2018, 07:11 PM	#1353
Rogerga Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3	Wow what a fantastic journey and well documented @discus . Congratulations

11/04/2018, 06:17 AM	#1368
janci Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: UAE - Dubai Posts: 167	Those were some serious measures to modify the scape and colony growth. I am very curious to see how the tank is looking now.

11/25/2018, 07:54 PM	#1369
Alex Costa Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Itupeva - SP - Brasil Posts: 673	Bulent, I started dosing TM Reef Actif today. I think my tank needs some ..... "shake". Are you still using it? What's your impressions about it? Best regards, Alex __________________ https://www.flickr.com/photos/49229306@N02/ http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/current-issue/article/153-tank-of-the-month Current Tank Info: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2596707

11/26/2018, 05:32 PM	#1372
reefmutt Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Mtl. Canada Posts: 7,824	Hey Bulent, another question for you.. will/would you give Coral Balance a try? My understanding is that Coral Balance would have a stronger effect on po4 reduction than reef active. But I know the two products are purported to have similar effects in the reef... __________________ Matt. Current Tank Info: 53x32.5x26 190g dt 60g of sumps 3 tank-100 gal frag system 6xAI prime 8xt5. 4x maxspect gyre. Skimz Dual internal sicce pump skimmer Deltec PF601s ca rx+Kalk stirrer

11/27/2018, 06:13 AM	#1373
Big E Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: South Euclid, OH Posts: 4,281	My take on a P04 spike--- I have been using Bacto balance on my frag tank for one year now. Probably not news to you Bulent, but the product is great for steady state. It will keep the ratio balanced well, but if it gets knocked out of balance short term you have to intervene. I used standard GFO to do this.............once my p04 gets back to under .10 the Bacto balance will keep the ratio intact again. I ran GFO for about 4 days and took it offline..............it's been months since and I've kept the same levels and ratios for the whole year. I'm only dosing .3 mls a day for a 60g total volume system. From my experience to date this is not a product to knock down high levels of either but great for maintaining standard levels that are widely used on most successful Acro systems. For the past year my levels have kept steady--- P04- .05-.08ppm No3- 5.0-10.0ppm I don't think anyone needs to go down the road with actif or other products to band aid this. There just needs to be short term intervention. __________________ 80g Rimless Acropora System reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2197142&page=31 Ed

11/27/2018, 08:56 AM	#1375
Big E Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: South Euclid, OH Posts: 4,281	Hi Matt, It's a liquid.........I use less than a 1ml a day so in my case it has to be hand dosed. I never used more than .7 and that was at start up. I'm not sure I would trust a doser being accurate unless you would be dosing at least 5mls per dose. __________________ 80g Rimless Acropora System reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2197142&page=31 Ed