Brew's 90G. Quick Video update.

Hey bro the new aquascape is looking great. I cant wait to see it in person! Looks like the move went smoothly, and im sure that tanks going to look awesome. Did you have a mini cycle?
The phosban150 is working out awesome, thanks again! I think my rock were leaching out phosphates cause for the first 2 weeks the cyano was running rampant. But I just aquired a nice clump of chaeto so hopefully no more nutrient issues. What are your plans for the fuge, DSB + macro algea?

 

Hi everyone.

I used to be pretty active on here, but work and life has left me little time to focus on my tank. I have a 90G with a pretty awesome sump, a very nice skimmer setup, good flow, and a decent fuge. Solid lighting setup. I've always kept my water pretty healthy, and have only ever had 1 fish die on me in 3 years.

I recently moved house (2 months ago), and brought my tank with me. Everyone survived the move, except for the few pieces of SPS that I had, which weren't doing so hot anyway.

I now have some time to focus on my tank. Here are some of my goals:

1. Anemone within a few months.
2. Good amount of SPS coral, that thrive, not barely survive.
3. CORALINE GROWTH!! I don't understand how some people's tanks are covered with coraline within a few months of starting up. Mine has been up for years, and only the live rock I bought with coraline has purple on it.

So, today I did a full chem panel.

Here are my results;

SG: .0024
Ca: 400
pH: 8.0
Phosphates : 0.5 ( I had my phosban reactor turned off. I just added more rowaphos and turned it on. I have no doubt it'll come down in a few days and with a water change.)
Ammonia: 0
Nitrates : 0
Nitrites : 0
DKH 7 / ppm kH 125.3
Temp 81.5

I had two sea urchins that were eating all my coraline. I have since gotten rid off both of them, but the coraline doesn't seem to be spreading at all. It's very thick and healthy looking on the one piece of live rock that I bought with it on.

Basically, I need some guidance on what all I need to do to get my water perfect for some SPS, and what I need to do to get some good coraline algae! I've read good things about this product:

CaribSea Purple Up Coralline Algae Accelerator

Any words of wisdom for me?

 

If you are maintaining your alk, mag and ca you do not need the Purple Up. Keep your Mg around 1280ppm and do regular water changes. I do 5% per week.

 

I've never tested Mg. Any recommendations on a test kit?

 

Salifert or Seachem are among the best.

 

Hey Brew! A couple things really quick. I could be wrong, but I'd bring up the SG a tad more: 1.025~26. (I think you typo-ed the decimal point. ) and lower the temperature to 78~79. You could raise the dKH as well if you're not running bio pellets.

Im in the same boat on the coralline! I did have the explosion but after I added some rocks it stopped for good 3 months. Now it slowly started to come back. And oh I wouldnt use the Purple up. Just keep your param steady and... be patient?

 

Lol. Yeah, that'd be bad if it weren't a typo. I lowered the temp and raised the SG. I did order the purple up though, just to see what happens. I've been patient for a while!

 

New Coral! Time to get this tank colorful!

So I finally went ahead and got a few frags from my local coral store!

1: War Farvia. It's beautiful!


IMG_2176 by Brett Marillier, on Flickr

2. Pulsing Xenia (which is actually pulsing awesomely!)

IMG_2174 by Brett Marillier, on Flickr

3. Green Star Polys and Blue Star polyps!

IMG_2170 by Brett Marillier, on Flickr

4. Spear fishing catch of the month! My 54 inch AJ! Sushi for all!

DSC_0051_2 by Brett Marillier, on Flickr

 

So, it has been 5 days, and the corals are all doing awesome. GSP is very much more open than pictured above, and the pulsing xenia is pulsing pretty intensely during the light on period of the day. At night, it kinda shrivels down, but seems to be doing just fine.

I've upped the amount of Rowaphos in my reactor, and since have had a zero reading on my phosphates. pH has maintained well. I've dosed the tank twice with the Purple Up, which arrived on Tuesday. My Ca is up to 420, from 400 prior.

I've decided the best way to keep on top of water changes for me, is to just do 15G weekly, so I'll be doing that today, and then later on tonight, may head to the coral store to pick up a couple zoo colonies.

I must admit, I'm still a little in the dark when it comes to Mg. I'm a nurse, and replace patient's magnesium according to daily labs, so I should be able to figure out the fish tank dosing! lol.

 

New Coral and Rose tip Anemone.

Yep.