Nana's 40B

[NanaReefer]

I am very surprised at how much she is out and about. Especially after everything I've read & what you've shared. I think she likes the wave action-lol. But she's out most of the time!

On another note, I'm noticing very teeny tiny tufts of algae on the SB. Not a lot and only around a couple of the frag plugs. I gently blew the SB surface mostly to displace that and the diatoms.

I ordered a pod pack from GetYourPods. Buy one get one free/10 free Nass snails. Placed order on Tuesday and haven't heard nothing at all from them. I'm hoping the Nass snails will help the SB.

 

[mfinn]

I bought the same a couple weeks ago and when I didn't hear from them, I said so in one of the threads on R2R.
Got some action then.

I get real proactive when I have new rock or sand. I will even over order snails to keep a handle on that new tank/algae growth.

 

[NanaReefer]

I did make a post under their sale thread. And sent them an email. Still nothing! But the money's been taken from my account already. Via paypal of course

 

[NanaReefer]

4wk growth shots of my Birds Nest, sweet!!!


Today!!



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[rainydave]

4wk growth shots of my Birds Nest, sweet!!!
View attachment 45302

Today!!
View attachment 45303


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Very nice!

 

[NanaReefer]

Well after a week of running my lights at 30min ramp for 8hrs, I decided to up the time & intensity. So now they will ramp up/down every 10min for 10hrs. With max intensity at 30/50%.

I've got Copepods covering the glass. Rock it starting to show colors. Diatoms are disappearing. Fish are happy & healthy being fed Reef Frenzy every other day & NLS pellets daily.

Sump is doing great. Gotta harvest my Chaeto as it's pretty packed in there. Oh and this SCA-301 skimmer is the freaking bomb!! This thing pulls out the nasties! I had it sitting at 8" but read it works best between 6-7" so using a couple pieces of egg crate I raised it up to 7". Perfect!

Bought 2 more 7" socks from the LFS, so now I have 3. Changing them out every 4-5 days easily.

This tank is nothing like my 26g was. Maybe it's because I've a little more experience. Whatever it is, I'm once again a very happy reefer

 

[mfinn]

Sounds like things are good.
That's awesome.

 

[NanaReefer]

Thank you Marty!!

 

[mfinn]

I don't have a clue about the phosphate issue you mentioned in that other thread, but and I did see the test result.
If I was concerned about it ( I do once in a while in my tanks, but if I wait long enough, it goes away. lol) I would find a reactor that would be appropriate for your sized tank and use some GFO.
I'd test everyday and see if the test results change.

 

[mfinn]

Everything looks happy

 

[NanaReefer]

I'm not worried, as the test shows if anything it's very low. Everything is very happy! Especially me! lol

 

[NanaReefer]

Well today I picked up 2 Yellowstriped Cardinals. They are NOT Yellow! So far they are silver with barely a hit of a yellow stripe. But here's what the look like when I take a pic.

 

[NanaReefer]

Well the Damsel seem's to be chillin. Not chasing the Cardinals so much today. Thought for sure someone was going to have to go.

The Cardinals still haven't colored up. Still silver with black stripes & blue around the eyes.

I've gone back to the 30min 8hr lighting schedule, with a max of 20/30% It was only 4 days with the 10min 10hr max 30/50% schedule but in that time I noticed my Birds Nest tips have turned white & there's a dusting of algae developing on the glass & sand bed. Parameters are good so I know it's not a water issue...I think

 

[NanaReefer]

Ok so I'm having low ALK issues. After many tests since setting it up it just keeps dropping. Even after a 10g WC on the 6th. Tested tonight and here are the results. Using RedSea Kit except for PH.

Ca=470
Alk=6.2
Mag=1480
PH=7.8 (API)
Salinity=1.026
Temp=80.2

Started Kalk in my ATO at 6tsp per 5g. The directions called for 2tsp per gallon if using pure water but I always like to start things on the low end.

 

[mfinn]

Is there a lfs or another reefer close by that could double check the test numbers?

Maybe increase the kalk.

 

[NanaReefer]

One of my frustrations keeping SW U.P. here-lol. Just called our 1 LFS and the employee said, " Ya we can, what do you want tested? I said Ca, Alk and Mag he says, oh well I think we have a Ca test it's API"
And no I personally do not know anyone else in or around here who keeps SW.
On another note. Tested Alk & PH at 12:30pm and Alk=6.7 & Ph=8.0 So it has come up a bit. This is pretty new territory for me. Never had parameter issues before

Thank you for hanging with me Marty

 

[mfinn]

I'd increase the kalk amount and see after a couple days what the test says.

I've never been one to really go after a set of numbers. If I'm in the ballpark, I'm ok with it.
I did change my salt, from Instant Ocean to Kent Marine, because of the higher ca and alk numbers, and stayed at the same price.

 

[NanaReefer]

So far so good. I'm not really chasing numbers as much as I'm at least trying to keep them acceptable. An ALK of 6.2 is to low IMO. So I'd like it to be at least above that-lol. Tested again tonight after 1g of top off water, it's now at 7.0

Believe it or not I've gone months without testing the 3, and a year without testing NO2/NO3

I'm just a little more paranoid due to the Birds Nest

Are you satisfied with the Kent Marin? I'm using Reef Crystals and am wondering if that's the problem? I've never had Alk issues until setting up this tank. This is a new batch of salt mix too.

 

[Pip Tazo]

Just read your whole thread! Nice build! I admire your patience and careful planning. I can't seem to find it, but what type of skimmer are you using?

 

[NanaReefer]

Thank you! Took me 5yrs to learn how to plan & to acquire the patients to put it all together
My skimmer is a SCA-301. Rated for tanks up to 65g, $89.00 Can't beat this price! As for performance? Awesome!! Very quiet also.

Just 2 days after first startup



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