Re: Red Sea Reef 8 months in
Congratulations on a beautiful tank...
Zippy
Re: Red Sea Reef 8 months in
Quote:
Originally Posted by
zippy
Congratulations on a beautiful tank...
Zippy
Thanks Steve, it’s a work in progress.. lookiing forward to the day it sustains itself with less of my intervention.
Re: Red Sea Reef 8 months in
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Jenene
Things are still growing nicely in the reef even with some major algae issues I have been addressing. In such a small system the tiniest imbalance sets off a string of new problems. It started with a big leafy green algae which isn't really a bad thing unless it smothers your corals which it will, or dies and adds to the nutrient levels which it does. Then the cyano bacteria moves in, followed by the stringy brown algae. My newest problem is now bubble algae. All of these...and who knew there were so many kinds??? are the result of nitrates and phosphates. I have not been over feeding the tank. If anything the poor creatures, especially the fish must pretty hungry. I have come to feed every other day now until I can get this under control. I have been doing weekly water changes and keeping an eye on the skimmer but I think its time to start looking into some kind of reactor. These can be risky and I will have to really get a handle on how to run it effectively. Too much of it can wipe out and crash an entire tank. Some people dose with vodka or hydrogen peroxide. I am not a fan of putting any of this stuff in my tank. I am going to keep up with reducing light hours, water changes and feeding and see if I can get a handle on it naturally. The bubble algae is a job...Hand picking those tiny little bubbles trying not to burst them would try the patience of a saint...
Still...glad I did it. The tank is beautiful. Lots of new growth. I have added 2 new rock nems. One which has decided to live as a hermit in the back of the tank in the rocks... the other tried that same angle but I carefully pulled him back, set him where I wanted and asked him to sit and stay. He listened... for now anyway. I also have a puffer fish. He is a Valentini Puffer. He is perfect for my tank with a max length of 4 inches. He gets along great with his tank mates and has the personality of a docile dog. Researching his diet I have learned he needs hard things to chew to keep his constantly growing teeth at bay. Occasionally he gets a live clam from the grocery store. I purge it to clean it in a separate container of tank water over night. There may still be a risk of contamination but it is nothing that wouldn't also come in on live rock or frags. I break the shell with a hammer and let him pick through it. He enjoys it immensely.
So I am attaching some picks of the things I have seen the most growth in and the puffer... The mushroom finally split. The Pumpkin Chalice is growing off the plug as well as the rock nems, they are growing nicely. The Candy Cane corals are splitting madly and I have already broken a piece off of new heads and replanted them in another spot. As I looked for these pics to post I stumbled upon old ones that really show how they have grown since I brought them in. A great thread for another day. I will attach a full tank shot then too.
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Looks great. Sounds like it's time for bio pellet reactor:)
Re: Red Sea Reef 8 months in
Ha ha! Of course Ryan! I don’t have much room in the cabinet. Actually none unless it can be in the sump. The reef shop guy is insisting my water is fine and I don’t need a reactor. Wouldn’t even discuss it with me. Told me to hand pick the stuff out. It’s like moving a haystack one piece at a time with the wind blowing... the stuff grows so fast...
So not really sure what to do but I’m the mean time I will learn as much as I can and take care of it without reef shop guy... which ever method I decide on. I know you would have built your own and had it running in less than a day😉...
Re: Red Sea Reef 8 months in
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Jenene
Ha ha! Of course Ryan! I don’t have much room in the cabinet. Actually none unless it can be in the sump. The reef shop guy is insisting my water is fine and I don’t need a reactor. Wouldn’t even discuss it with me. Told me to hand pick the stuff out. It’s like moving a haystack one piece at a time with the wind blowing... the stuff grows so fast...
So not really sure what to do but I’m the mean time I will learn as much as I can and take care of it without reef shop guy... which ever method I decide on. I know you would have built your own and had it running in less than a day��...
A buddy of mine is a reefer and was having some issue with aiptasia. His answer was nature always has a solution. Obviously getting nitrates and phosphates dialed to resolve the root of the problem is ideal but may be able to find somebody to munch on it until then
Re: Red Sea Reef 8 months in
Gorgeous !!
That puffer doesn’t bother your coral?
Re: Red Sea Reef 8 months in
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Phillydubs
Gorgeous !!
That puffer doesn’t bother your coral?
Thanks Phil,
No actually he is very reef safe and very docile. He will eat starfish, crabs and shrimp.
He’s quite the big personality though. I hear they are pretty intelligent as far as fish go.
I was just hanging out at the shop and noticed him. I had time to research him before I took him home. His max size is 4” and he is very friendly.
7 Attachment(s)
Re: Red Sea Reef 8 months in
These are wonderful corals. I love them. Have a look some more corals if you interested to add them in your tank. Attachment 113794
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