DeFarts' IM 50gal Lagoon Journey

[H2OPlayar]

AF Life Source.

Unfortunately, that was my last bit of it. Now to make the decision on whether to order more, or is it just another "fad" type of product? It certainly helps as a flocculant but I definitely don't seem to have enough flow to get it all out of the tank.

Who else uses this and has some sort of empirical evidence to suggest it is a solid product? I think it helps with keeping down my dinos by improving my other microbiology. But I just don't know for certain.

From a quick read of the product page, it appears to market as a way to add trace elements/minerals to the reef tank from mud that collects near other reefs. I am with Derek here and think it likely isn't worth it.

That being said, I definitely added the occasional product to help "diversify" the bacterial colonies in my tank, but I never made it a regular thing.

 

[ReyDeFarts]

From a quick read of the product page, it appears to market as a way to add trace elements/minerals to the reef tank from mud that collects near other reefs. I am with Derek here and think it likely isn't worth it.

That being said, I definitely added the occasional product to help "diversify" the bacterial colonies in my tank, but I never made it a regular thing.

Appreciate it. I think if it comes up in a PIF or a really good sale, I'd definitely get it. But to add it to my products of "must have", I think you guys are right. Not really necessary. The tank inhabitants do seem to enjoy it and look good for a while after I use it though. Kind of makes me want to keep using it. Haaa haaa.

 

[Alexander1312]

Appreciate it. I think if it comes up in a PIF or a really good sale, I'd definitely get it. But to add it to my products of "must have", I think you guys are right. Not really necessary. The tank inhabitants do seem to enjoy it and look good for a while after I use it though. Kind of makes me want to keep using it. Haaa haaa.

Mack has been recommending AF Life source here again. But they also discussed ostreopsis a few times, but said it should be easy to remove with UV.

 

[ReyDeFarts]

Mack has been recommending AF Life source here again. But they also discussed ostreopsis a few times, but said it should be easy to remove with UV.

Sorry I missed this response until today Alexander. Much appreciated. Saved to my watch later.

It's crazy how quickly life can get in the way of journal updates. Since the end of June?! Yikes. I won't get too deep into it, but work and life have been a hurdle. Finding time to come on here to hang out, just hasn't been a priority. I do appreciate the few of you that have joined along this journal though.

Synopsis of the past 1.5 months

• Increased alk consumption and not enough testing has led to multiple alk dips. Fixed by slowly adding CoralLife SuperBuffer and increasing kalk dosage
• Observed Montepora eating nudis
• Observed euphillia eating flatworm
• Elevated phosphates - WC and recently trying PhosGuard (1/4 of the recommended amount with the plan to slowly increase over the next few weeks)
• pH swings but getting better with increased kalk
• Significantly reduced to zero observations of ostreopsis dinos for many weeks. 2-3x a week, I turn on the UV for 24hrs as a preventative. I would prefer to get a better in-line UV unit.

Here are a few random pics and updates since the last time I posted. Most recently (3 days ago), I finally got around to upgrading my kalk container to just over 4 gallons. This container is a test to see if it will be sealed enough to stay potent. Been testing the pH everyday to see when I start seeing the drop off. I also significantly increased my dosage. Had great pH numbers the following day and evening!

Unknown Dipsastrea

I believe this is a Meteor Shower Cyphastrea

Bullseye Micromussa from AquaSD

Unknown acropora I picked up for during the VIP night at Prime Reefing! I'm assuming Acropora bifaria??? Any thoughts from more experienced acro folks?

 
Hellfire Torch also from Prime Reefing

Walt Disney from @RelishReef ! I know all my instability issues is probably keeping it from growing much, but knowing I'm getting polyp extension and some encrusting, has me stoked!

BC Adam Bomb is definitely growing

Yesterday's late afternoon reading! Stoked to finally hitting 8.3. Still got a drop in the night but not nearly as much.

So here's my slight conundrum. Yesterday's parameters has me wondering why, with the recent 48 hrs of increased kalk dosage, I saw a decrease of alk (9 to 7-7.5) and Ca (420 to 360)
Mg has been hovering below 1300 for the past couple of weeks, but I haven't tried to raise it yet. I'm trying not to focus too much on that one. I think I'd like it to be at least 1400-1500 though.

Did the increased kalk/pH trigger the corals to consume more? Would that mean to increase the dosage even more? I don't actually think I have room for more. I must admit though, that my evaporation rate has been a bit of a moving target. Not consistent lately with the temp swings.

 

[MichaelB]

Very lovely coral pictures.


How long have you had the walt disney?
What par are you estimating its getting?

I have one similar size also growing looking nice. Just curious as to what gives your the various colors like in online images.

Mine is the solid yellowish green color.

 

[ReyDeFarts]

Very lovely coral pictures.

Thanks brotha! Much appreciated.

How long have you had the walt disney?

I've had this one cooking for a few months now. Id have to look back in my pics to find the first day pic, but I would guess late April.

What par are you estimating its getting?

oh man... it's getting quite a bit! I don't have my PAR chart from my recent testing, but if memory serves me right, during peak hours, it is now upward of 400+ for a couple hours. Gets 300+ for at least 4 hrs.

I have one similar size also growing looking nice. Just curious as to what gives your the various colors like in online images.

Mine is the solid yellowish green color.

FYI, not sure if you remember but your frag is from the same colony as mine. So the color potential is there. This beauty has fought off dinos, high nutrients, alk swings, and pH swings.

 

[MichaelB]

Thanks brotha! Much appreciated.

I've had this one cooking for a few months now. Id have to look back in my pics to find the first day pic, but I would guess late April.

oh man... it's getting quite a bit! I don't have my PAR chart from my recent testing, but if memory serves me right, during peak hours, it is now upward of 400+ for a couple hours. Gets 300+ for at least 4 hrs.

FYI, not sure if you remember but your frag is from the same colony as mine. So the color potential is there. This beauty has fought off dinos, high nutrients, alk swings, and pH swings.

Lol i remember now, seeing the colors in yours made me brain dead for a min. Mine gets around 340-360 max par mostly probably in the 260s.

I don't like running whites longer than 2 hours a day. So limits max par exposure to that narrow window.

I may consider adding one or two more blue reef bars under the hood when I have the funds, and decide to actually shift the euphyllia to the other tank. - mostly waiting on par meter for fresh par readings so I know where to place them.