Biocube's Build Thread, Tank teardown 1/6/14

Never hurts to keep trying Nick. lol

 

Someday I'll upgrade...... Someday

But count on me having this cube for a long time, or until I move across the country

 

Looks like my Orange Yuma is splitting, first I thought it was about to die but turns out it split.

(Right side)

 

I have not had a chance to read through your whole thread but do follow it from time to time to know about your recent issues with browning corals and some even dieing on you. Your tank looks great now, its funny you mention GFO as a possible cause and you switched back. Where you using BRS GFO or something else? I just started using a few months ago and although it did lower my phosphates, read 0 with the checker, I find my corals do not seem to look as good as they did prior to started the GFO. Also I started GFO in hopes of decreased film algae growth rate on the glass, and although my phosphates did drop to close to 0 where they were around .1 beforehand, I see no reduction in film algae growth and have noticed a large increase in cyanobacteria on the sandbed prob due to the increased iron available in the water column. I have been thinking about stopping continuous GFO use and monitoring my phosphates with biweekly or monthly testing with the checker.

 

I was using PhosBan with good results, then switched to BRS GFO and I'm still debating if I like it or not. PhosBan loves to suck up ALK and crash systems.

So far my phosphates have been in check and everyone is growing like wild.

I use the Hanna ULR Phosphorous Checker to get more accurate low range phosphate results.

I test every 2-3 days for a week when adding a fresh batch of GFO/PhosBan. After that I test weekly.

 

Well we are approaching a month now on JUST CalxMax 2Part Solution, so far the colors are about the same as when I started. BUT that is a good thing, I stopped ALL other forms of Aminos and other supplements. So starting NOW I plan to continue my use of CalxMax with Warner Marine Aminos and see if there is a difference in color.

I did notice the growth in my tank to be the same and everyone is happy and healthy. I have been keeping my ALK @ 6.11, Ca @ 390 with a Ph peak of 8.30 daily.

 

That is 6.11 DKH right?

 

Yuppers

 

Uh... anything under 7dkh is scary low to me. You don't have ANY room for error at 6.11.

 

Oh I completely agree, but I do like to life on edge.

It will slowly be raised to 7.5 over the next few days and kept there.