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09/18/2017, 09:49 AM | #2676 |
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This Photo is great and shows the mix you have. And the various stages you have going in you tank. I assume you introduced the SPS at different times, and some grow slower, while other Faster. Some could be colonies that survived from your previous tank. Do you have a timeline of a Coral (Starting at Frag) that you would consider Medium Speed grower, and show what progress one should expect every 3 months or so. That would help me set a degree expectation. So 4 or more photo's over a period of a year of same coral. I would greatly appreciated that, and it would help me with the Waiting Game. |
09/18/2017, 11:36 AM | #2677 |
I <3 Acros
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Amazing tank, great job!
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80g Deep Blue Rimless - http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2651295 225g Reef Savvy SPS Dominant - Retired http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1945361 |
09/19/2017, 04:31 PM | #2678 |
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Hey Matt. I know you were struggling with high po4 and nitrates before but lowered them recently.
I just tested for the first time in a long time and my p04 is around 0.1 with hanna ulr and my nitrates are 64 and probably higher via the red sea kit. How would you recommend slowly lowering these?
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-Cody SPS Dominant 180 gallon. Link to my tank: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2618245 |
09/21/2017, 06:47 AM | #2679 | ||||||
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Hey guys, sorry for the late response, family stuff- my wife traveling and the holidays have sidetracked me a bit..
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Yes, the tank has recently really hit a good patch. Not complaining! Over the past month, I have had to double the kalkwasser dosing. My doser pushes - or was pushing 4ml/min for 14 hours/day - I have been raising the volume in response to higher and higher demand. I’m currently at 8.5ml/min and may have to raise it higher. Alk is just holding at 7. My ca reactor, I have set at a good level and don’t want to play with it much but I may have to increase co2 at some point. Currently, I am adding a few heaping spoonfuls of kalk to my stirrer every weekend to keep it fresh and I’ll have to starte cleaning it out monthly... Quote:
Don’t get rid of that ca reactor! Nothing wrong with two part, that’s for sure but just keep the reactor, just in case.. Good luck with the cleanup Quote:
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I don’t think I could give you any type of timeline as so many factors play a role in coral growth. Type and intensity of light to flow to nutrient and mineral levels will change things.. not to mention pests or picking fish.. sorry, I really think it’s impossible to give any type of timeline.. Hey James, thanks! Quote:
I have always been a bigger fan of the more traditional methods but I have also seen great results with carbon, but, generally, for my system in particular, carbon was never very effective. Over the last several months, my cheato haze done an amazing job on nitrates and more recently, now that n has almost gone to 0, I have been adding back some n in hopes that the cheato will pull a little more p. As of last week, my p got below .1 for the first time in a very long time. We will see if it continues.. I’ll post a full cheato update this weekend I hope. I believe that part of what is keeping the cheato so happy is the prodibio Bioptim because of its iron, potassium, zinc, manganese etc.. carbon dosing will rev up all sorts of bacteria in a system- good and bad- most of the time the benefits outweigh the risks as long as it isn’t over done.. but I think I’m still a bigger fan of macro algae. The new(ish) products by Fauna Marin and Tropic Marin are also interesting. TM’s Reef actif or FM’s reef Vitality and coral balance may help a lot but not sure they could do the whole job.. If you are able to set up a cheato fuge, it can be extremely effective. If you can’t, carbon dosing - starting very slowly- will also help, no question. I should add that for reasons I can’t explain, I feel that the way cheato pulls down nutrients is less stressful to Corals than how carbon/bacteria does it..
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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 |
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10/06/2017, 07:50 PM | #2680 |
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Hey guys, time for an update and a few pics..
So as mentioned above, my cheato fuge did such a good job on nutrient reduction, it brought n almost to zero with p still slightly above.1 I have been dosing kno3 and cano3 to bring it up a bit and hoping the cheato would continue to pull down p. It was working up until 10’days ago when i dosed fluconazole. I was dosing enough no3 to get n back up to around .5 and p had gotten down to about .08. But a week after dosing fluconazole and watching the bryopsis wither and disappear, I had a little nutrient spike. This could have had a bit to do with adding one new evansi anthias- I was feeding a bit more but not tons more. One week after dosing fluconazole,n was up to 2 and p .18. I stopped adding extra no3 and put a small amount of gfo in the system. 3 days later n is closer to 1 and p is around .13 so, in general not a huge spike but a noticeable one.. I assume the system will adjust over the next week or two and get back into the rhythm it was in. It is sooooo nice to not have bryopsis!!.. I won’t do a wc for another week or two nor add carbon. Alas, I have had some cyano appear in my frag tank, now.. grr.. but it isn’t a plague so I will leave it a while and watch before taking action.. once the system sorts itself out, it may go away on its own. I had begun adding some aminos when n dropped to 0 sommaybe that started the cyano.. I have since stopped aminos as well.. I’ve had a few sleeping corals wake up lately but still have a bunch of sleepers. Cal and alk demand really went up in the past 6 weeks. I have more than doubled my kalk dosing and turned up my co2 a touch. Growth is pretty good lately.. And the cheato continues to grow like an animal possessed. It’s pretty amazing. Anybody local need cheato? I have buckets of it. I wonder if it has nutritional value.. maybe I should try eating it as a salad... maybe not.. I have been kind of busy lately and very unsatisfied with 95% of my photos of late and haven’t really had time to apply myself properly. I got up on the ladder today and will probably have more time this long weekend. I did get a few super clean and nice shots today. But only macros. I’ll have to step back and take some wider shots.. Here are some macros. This is Robinhood. A growth tip that is moving fast. Here’s the wave and habanero from side: And exact same sections from top. Good old pink matrix growing like stink: This is a cool shot of a coral from Fragbox he was calling ‘frozen’ it’s body was all white when I bought it. With my phone where it is I was expecting it to colour up and it has. Thebtip still looks similar to how it all looked when I bought it. I’m reasonably sure this is a myagi tort. Really nice and clear this one.. Here is another shot that just came out really crisp. It’s a pink matrix with a Red Bull or diablo growing close to it.. crazy colour going on here.. And here’s pink tips meeting jf Flame head on.. Suharsenoi Oh! And a rare fishy shot.. So thats all I got for now... I’ll try to do more this long weekend..
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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 |
10/06/2017, 08:53 PM | #2681 |
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Wow! Great Build, love the shots! Are you in Toronto? (Saw miracles on the first thread) I am also sure that you talk about your lighting setup somewhere here but I didn't want to go through the 270 pages? Looks like t5, correct? Thanks!
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10/07/2017, 04:46 AM | #2682 |
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Hey tenurepro, thanks!
I’m in Montreal. I use a combination of 6x t5, 3x 150w mh (ushio Blue) and 4x AI Prime LED.
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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 |
10/07/2017, 04:57 AM | #2683 |
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Your Acroporids seem to be at their peak condition Matt. I bet your chaeto’s growth will accelerate further as there is no other micro algae competitor left in your tank.
(Re)appearance of cyano did not surprise me as the nitrate-phosphate balance in your tank has changed after the demise of bryopsis. I would prefer cyano to bryopsis any day.
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10/07/2017, 06:01 AM | #2684 |
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Thanks Bulent, I added an extra hour to the cheato photoperiod to give it more time at taking up the slack. I may have to remove a rock or two from the cheato area to give it more space to grow. It is extremely dense and fast growing right now.
The cyano appeared just before I started fluconazole- shortly after beginning aminos, but since the fluconazole, it has spread.. Once I am able to do a water change, I’ll do a cleanup of the frag system and try to remove as much of it, manually, as possible. I changed out some old bulbs in the frag tank, replaced my RO prefilters and resin and stopped aminos- hopefully this will help as well.. We shall see. i agree 100% I would prefer cyano too!
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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 |
10/07/2017, 10:01 AM | #2685 |
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Man matt! Really love those new pictures
So did you win against the bryopsis? Cheers
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Flo from Austria ^Austrian Reef Club^ "Founding Member of CCC - The cool couch club of SPS keeping" - Biggles Current Tank Info: The Austrian Dropoff Tank |
10/07/2017, 11:44 AM | #2686 |
Acros & wieners, oh my!
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That Robinhood is spectacular! So excited to hear that the chaeto is working well- it seems that the key is getting the fudge a real and intense light- but the old school method is really effective. I have had similar success with chaeto and it's just so easy. Whe I can I will upgrade my fudge lights and expect to see even better growth.
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- Matt I call the big one "Bitey" - Homer Simpson See my tank thread here: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2468548 Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon Rimless Starphire Shallow Reef. Reef Octopus Diablo EXT-200 skimmer, Chaeto Reactor, Lighting: ATI Sunpower 8X39W, 6X39W Sunpower |
10/08/2017, 09:18 AM | #2687 |
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Cyano appearance is always exasperating. There seems to be a correlation with amino acid supplementation and cyano outbreak. I don't know if that is universal problem or not.
I have wondered about redfield ratio and how it fits in to our tanks. It seems that nitrates to phosphate ratio in the tank needs to be at a minimum of around 6:1--that's not a number that I have seen written or specifically spoken about, rather it's my extrapolation when I follow all these various threads. The ratio can probably go up to at least a couple hundred or more to one though. It seems to be pretty forgiving anywhere in between.. When nitrate to phosphate ratio gets too low, cyano tends to flourish. Oh, and I continue to marvel at the beauty of your tank |
10/08/2017, 01:25 PM | #2688 |
Moved On
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That pink matrix is awesome really regretting selling mine before letting it grow out.
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10/08/2017, 11:36 PM | #2689 |
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I'll agree on the PINK Matrix. Looks awesome.
You just inspired me to get another Frag of one since I lost a couple during my recent setback. Happy Thanksgiving Matt. Looking forward to more Stunning Photo's of Stunning SPS. |
10/09/2017, 10:09 AM | #2690 | ||
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Thanks! I’ll try to take some more tomorrow.. Quote:
My experience with cheato is that when it likes the water it’s growing in, it’ll grow like crazy, regardless of lighting. I’ve used mh and had it wither away, I’ve used cfls, t5, leds.. whatever it’s under it has both grown well and died off at different stages. It seems to have specific needs like k z mn fe i as well as n and p.. since I’ve been dosing these things, the cheato is absolutely on steroids. Clearly good strong light is better than poor dim light but I’m not convinced that these new grow lights are essential to great growth. Here’s a full shot of robin hood- along with a mediocre pickachu and pink Cadillac.
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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 |
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10/09/2017, 10:30 AM | #2691 | |
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Learning/rebuilding from my epic fail
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Interesting; i also have a small frag of pink Cadillac, purchased from an excellent reefer in Toronto. I paid a LOT for it. But so far, very disappointed by the color. Mine looks a bit like yours, but It certainly looks no where like the pics here https://************.com/2016/07/26/...ra-divaricata/ Just wondering if you've ever actually seen a pink Cadillac colony in person that looks like the one pictured on ************ or the rr Facebook page? Ps... like is for reef builders dot com Pss here is what my frag looks like. Nice but not like the 'picture' Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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10/09/2017, 10:41 AM | #2692 | |||
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I’l stop both n and amino additions for now and see.. BigE has often commented on an ideal ratio of 100/1 (with a fairly wide range of error) for general coral happiness and one would hope general cyano unhappiness. Red field’s is another consideration but there is lots of debate about its relevance to our systems.. all things to keep in mind, for sure. I’ll watxh the cyano for now, it’s not too bad. I could probably use better flow in my frag tank.. once my fluconazole treatment is done, I’ll clean out the frag tank and see if it returns. If it does, I’ll consider dosing with one of the red slime removing products. They are quite harmless, in my experience. Quote:
Here’s a shot of one of my colonies from yesterday. Here’s another matrix colony that I’ve had for years and only recently desired to blast off. Not as nice as thenpink matrix but we’ll see where it goes.. It’s rr lady in pink Quote:
Here’s a series of shots of a blue coral that has really begun to grow for me, along with my happy suharsonoi and a couple others in the periphery.. Blue coral Blue and su Just su! A couple other angles..
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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 |
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10/09/2017, 10:49 AM | #2693 | |
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I might try glue it in down low in the tank or something. It is certainly the Corals that around out for me as the biggest bonehead purchase I’ve ever made.. I’ve nevwr really seen a big mother colony, nor one that looks particularly good.. oh well.. I’ll leave it alone and see what it does.
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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 |
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10/09/2017, 10:55 AM | #2694 | |
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10/09/2017, 11:07 AM | #2695 |
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So here a couple fts.
The left side is looking better these days as I’ve done less messing around with it.. And I just liked this angle even though it isn’t the best shot.. Here are a few random shots.. Rr red diablo and an Aussie piece that was pale green and blue tipped when I got it.. now it’s just green it may come out one day.. Here’s su with an op I glued at the bottom of my tank along with a mystery coral that really likes being down low.. Here’s the most recent macro of the red coral and su growing into each other.. My ice fire.. Bonsai with a mystery acro that I really like the shades of and a rr fruity pebbles down at the bottom left that has recently begun to sprout a new tip - after about a year’s dormancy. Bottom right is a pink Cadillac wannabe.. Finally, another bonsai colony on the bottom of the tank. Also starting to grow out well.. Ok! Those are all my shots for now.. Haven’t done a full test work up lately.. if/when I get the tests done, I’ll post my latest results.. may take a week..
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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 |
10/09/2017, 11:11 AM | #2696 | |
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The pink Cadillac is really about the contrasting purple polyps and I have several fish in my display that pick at polyps all day.. I think that part of the reason for the boringness of my display piece....
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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 |
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10/09/2017, 11:21 AM | #2697 |
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What kind of light do you use?
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10/09/2017, 11:47 AM | #2698 |
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I have 4 AI Primes. Blues max out at 45% violet and uv max out at 20%, whites 5%
they run from 9 am, ramp up to 3pm and then turn off for an hour, then from 4pm, they go from max back down to 0 by 10:30pm. They are really only supplemental ‘pop’ lighting. I have 6 54 w T5. 3 blue plus come on at 11:30 am and turn off at 10pm 2 coral plus and 1 blue plus come on at 12:30, off at 3p-4p, then back on till 8:30p 3x150w ushio blue are on from 1-3 and 4-6p
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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 |
10/09/2017, 03:50 PM | #2699 |
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Hello Matt, just curious...why the break at 3 - 4? Also, how do you fit all that lighting over one tank, must be packed overhead?
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Scott Current tank: 65 gal DSA rimless, mixed reef, 20 gal sump, T5 6bulb, big skimmer, 40B Fowler, 20 gal sump, 4 bulb T5 |
10/09/2017, 04:05 PM | #2700 |
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Thanks Matt.
Every day that passes I’m more pro T5 than ever. I like led light, control capabilities and power saving, but I’m starting to believe that a hybrid solution it’s the best option for my tank. Maybe Santa brings my tank a ATI Hybrid for coral grow and colors... |
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