Thor's NaNu Nano 18 Cube

Yes, the dilemma I will facing after the move--to dosing pump or not to dosing pump. Because...

Ain't that truth!

Anyway, I'm gonna have to decide if I am all in or not on the sps and equip appropriately. I know what I "should" do and what is likley best for my sanity, but then again when was the last time I did the rational thing?

 

This actually surprises me a bit Cheryl. I always envisioned you as the sps whisperer! I don't mean that facetiously at all, but with all your knowledge I thought there were few corals you had not grown to stunning glory!

I truly envy your knowledge and skill.

 

Quick update, with pics to follow (this weekend, I hope).

So the big news is the tank was moved on Sunday and it all went relatively smoothly. I'm not one to call it a complete success yet as I still want to give my livestock time to acclimate and go from there.

The most significant aspect to all of this, and the move could not have come at a better time, is that I believe I found the source of my nutrients. It is hard to explain, but the way my back chamber is set-up there is definitely a space with a propensity for collecting detritus. I have had a growing concern that perhaps my return pump was not strong enough, and the move confirmed this. There was a significant amount of detritus that built up and so I am combating this in two ways: first I am using a more powerful return pump, which is flowing more water through my filter chambers, and hopefully will help to prevent detritus build up. Secondarily, I am adding additional mechanical filtration. I added a poly pad, and will experiment to find the best way to keep that incorporated into my system.

The initial reports are that my water is clearer than it has been in a few months. Once my levels stabilize again we will see if this translates into lower phosphate numbers.

So far the corals have faired well. My stag browned only very slightly, but I think it will color back up in a few days. The BN is still just confounding as ever. It is one ugly frag--with tips that look okay, some tissue recession and bleaching in other parts of the frag. Yet despite all that, it is growing out new stubs! I have no idea what it is doing. Anyway, I move it to an area with slightly less flow and slightly less light. We will see if that changes anything or not. I'm also hoping the decreased phosphate will have a positive impact. All other corals show no effects.

As for fish, the clown is fine. She took right back to the new location fine. The Hector's, well, the jury is still out. Considering all of his algae has been cleaned off the back wall and the move he has largely been in hiding. I hope he settles in again in a few days and will come back out for some face time with yours truly soon.

I'm considering my options for my last fish as I want to get them in soon. I'm thinking of cheating off of Vinnie and going with the Starki Damsel for some activity. I do have some compatibility concerns with my Clown, but I will have those with basically any fish I add to this system now. I will keep you posted.

Happy Reefing!

(Oh yeah, MACNA will be in DC next year! If I'm still in the area, I will definitely be attending--woot woot!).

 

Vinny's damsel the Starki Damsel sounds perfect, I love that fishes coloration, and a strong enough fish to stand up to the Clown.
You'll for sure need that mechanical filtration, my tanks used to collect so much detritus back there it was scary. I ended up doing all my water changes from the sump area just to get rid of or stay on top of removing that crap.
I had no idea you lived across the country, no idea, I thought you lived on this side of the continent. So if Macna is in DC next time then after that it will be in Ca.....
Congrats on the successful move, looking forward to images, I would like to see the stage.

 

Well that is probably because I am originally from the West. I'm a Colorado boy that has been stuck in a mysterious place known as the "East Coast" for 14 years! I'm still hoping to negotiate a transfer back to Colorado in the next year or two, but you never know with that kind of stuff...

 

I find myself being well past due. I moved the tank a few weeks back, and I wanted to let things settle again before much else;

First, I have refined my technique a bit since the move. One thing became be came import, was the about of detritus in the back chamber. Just everything settles in here. To correct this i added a poly pad to polish the water and trap the detritus. I m swapping it out evey wee. Secondarily, I added a more powerful return pump to help keep that in the water column. It has helped by removing any detritus on a weekly bas. it has helped and clinically am seeing less hair algae.

Secondarily, i added a IM marine flow reactor with GFO to reduce the amount of phosphate, and while it is helping, I am experienting with other phosphate stick with it for a while.

On to the good stuff: here are eh updates pic

 

Congrats on the move Thor!!!Wheres the pics????

 

Ha! I couldn't get them to upload last night. I thought I canceled the posted but apparently not...hey I was tired!


I'll try and get them up tonight. Hint, they may include some new fish

 

Coooooool.

 

Long over due update.

Move did indeed go well, and afforded me an opportunity to apply some critical thinking. It was a perfect chance to assess the husbandry techniques I've implemented so far and see what works, and get a sense of the techniques that require refinement. Most notably, I discovered that my skimmer chamber was very effective at creating a nutrient sink and collected all thr detritus. So I have implemented a poly filter prior to the return to trap all thr detritus. I change out the pad one a week to reduce the nitrates and phosphates. Early indications are showing improvement.

Snuff of the jibber jabber, let's get too the good stuff!

First, my new fish!