Don't ya love it when your tank is doing well?

Discussion in 'Coral' started by Av8Bluewater, Oct 28, 2009.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

Page 1 of 3
  1. Av8Bluewater

    Av8Bluewater Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2008
    Messages:
    3,401
    Location:
    Dallas
    A month ago I was having issues:
    http://www.3reef.com/forums/coral/slow-coral-growth-73252.html

    Now I've changed a few things and I'm getting noticeable growth almost daily.
    Polyp extension and color are better than ever. I never knew my Cali tort was capable of the intense blue that I'm getting now.

    I don't know what was the biggest factor but here's some things I've done:

    1. Did a couple of big water changes with Reef crystals. I was using other cheaper salts.
    2. Got a controller and my temps no longer have the big daily swings.
    3. Outside temps are cooler so I'm running the main lights 7 hours a day vs. 5-6 before. Still have same bulbs that were new in March.
    4. I've been using Magnesium Chloride from BRS instead of Epsom salt from Walgreens.
    5. I haven't been using the Calcium Chloride as much.. Mostly using Kalkwasser... I dose manually.
    6. I don't use the Kent Marine dKH buffer now.. I use Soda Ash from BRS.

    I think all these things helped but I suspect the biggest culprit was not doing a water change often enough and the Magnesium Sulfate, Borat salts in the Kent marine buffer and Calcium chloride built up unhealthy levels of chloride, sulfate and borate.

    Either way it's good to be back on track.
     
    Av8Bluewater, Oct 28, 2009
    Av8Bluewater, Oct 28, 2009
    #1
    1 person likes this.

    2. Click Here!

  2. Robman

    Robman Great White Shark

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2009
    Messages:
    2,688
    Location:
    Katy, Tx.
    You are what they call " IN THE ZONE!!! "
     
    Robman, Oct 28, 2009
    Robman, Oct 28, 2009
    #2
  3. reef4girl

    reef4girl Feather Duster

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2009
    Messages:
    233
    Location:
    Central Illinois,USA
    lol I get like that!


    Lets see some before and after pics bluewater
     
    Last edited: Oct 28, 2009
    reef4girl, Oct 28, 2009
    reef4girl, Oct 28, 2009
    #3
  4. bama

    bama Humpback Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2009
    Messages:
    2,788
    Location:
    Houston, TEXAS
    that sounds great to me.. this is what I would like to achieve..
     
    bama, Oct 28, 2009
    bama, Oct 28, 2009
    #4
  5. pgreef

    pgreef Fire Goby

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2008
    Messages:
    1,344
    Location:
    Algonquin, IL
    +1 pics!

    Where have you been reef4girl?
     
    pgreef, Oct 28, 2009
    pgreef, Oct 28, 2009
    #5
  6. Av8Bluewater

    Av8Bluewater Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2008
    Messages:
    3,401
    Location:
    Dallas
    I'll try to get some.. Lights have gone out for the night.
     
    Av8Bluewater, Oct 28, 2009
    Av8Bluewater, Oct 28, 2009
    #6

    7. Click Here!

  7. Av8Bluewater

    Av8Bluewater Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2008
    Messages:
    3,401
    Location:
    Dallas
    Av8Bluewater, Oct 29, 2009
    Av8Bluewater, Oct 29, 2009
    #7
  8. reef4girl

    reef4girl Feather Duster

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2009
    Messages:
    233
    Location:
    Central Illinois,USA
    reef4girl, Oct 29, 2009
    reef4girl, Oct 29, 2009
    #8
  9. JJK

    JJK Teardrop Maxima Clam

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2009
    Messages:
    845
    Beautiful corals!
     
    JJK, Oct 29, 2009
    JJK, Oct 29, 2009
    #9
  10. crustytheclown

    crustytheclown Eyelash Blennie

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2009
    Messages:
    1,270
    Location:
    Colorado
    sure do luv it when everything falls into place
     
    crustytheclown, Oct 29, 2009
    crustytheclown, Oct 29, 2009
    #10
Page 1 of 3