Jestersix

Max’s 30 gal

max_nano said:
Kalk seems to be working well so far as I’m transitioning off AFR. Alk dipped when I had the ATO error which caused the testing to stop, but it’s been consistent between 7.4-7.6 now so I think I got the dosing schedule all set.
I’ve been working on bringing stuff to the front panel since it’s what is visible from the most angles in my apartment. I have a bad track record with torches but I really want one front and center where the hammer is. I think my previous torches died due to one being a risky frag from the start which Neptune sold cheap because James said it was iffy after a mishap fragging and the other experienced both nutrient and alk steep dips. I think if I can keep acros alive I shouldn’t have issues with torches?
We will see, I’m on the hunt for good deals I want something with a standout color but those dragon soul and holy grails are pricy. I might try another torch with less hype so I’m not paying for a name when taking the gamble on the coral type I have a bad track record with.
Whites:
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Blues:View attachment 18637
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Damn it looks nice I love the rock structure!!
 
I thought I had been feeding more, but obviously not enough so I will continue with my plan of dosing some nitrates. I also got some b-ionic and will switch to that from kalk. I’ll probably keep some kalk but just not rely on it, I have noticed a nice pH bump and without a skimmer I don’t think I have many ways to help increase pH, eventually maybe a fuge but I barely have nutrients now so I can’t set one up now.

alk: 7.2
pH: 7.54
phosphates: .13 ppm
Nitrates: 0 ppm
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Twisted said:
Damn it looks nice I love the rock structure!!
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Thanks! The 2 little fishies frag grow out rocks were super fun to build with. They’re flat on both side with each piece having unique shapes. I sorted them all by size then made a bunch of shapes
 
I need some help, I believe this is highish phosphates? Should I continue with my plan of dosing nitrates to see if it balances, I imagine it’s not great to have no nitrates. I’m just nervous about dosing nitrates to my tank especially with the small volume. I think I may make a diluted version so I can microdose it until I get readable levels


alk: 7.2
pH: 7.54
phosphates: .13 ppm
Nitrates: 0 ppm
 
The phosphate and nitrate is out of balance. Yes keep adding coral food and or dosing nitrates until they come up a bit.
Phosphate is higher than ideal, but not super high. You can use some gfo or rowaphos to lower that down a bit if you want to. A little lower would likely be good.
 
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max_nano said:
I need some help, I believe this is highish phosphates? Should I continue with my plan of dosing nitrates to see if it balances, I imagine it’s not great to have no nitrates. I’m just nervous about dosing nitrates to my tank especially with the small volume. I think I may make a diluted version so I can microdose it until I get readable levels


alk: 7.2
pH: 7.54
phosphates: .13 ppm
Nitrates: 0 ppm
Click to expand...

I think you do dose nitrate -- maybe drop a bag of Phosguard in to bring down phosphate a bit. Phosgaurd isn't as aggressive as gfo in my experience.

I have dose both P04 and N03 since I started out with dry rock
 
Mike Yasin said:
I converted my old RODI system into a double C02 scrubber to increase pH. I tried one of my old reactors, but it wasn't big enough.

I have the reactor if you want it. You'd just need to add some soda ash pellets and plumb it to your skimmer air intake.
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Yeah I have a co2 scrubber from when I ran a skimmer in my RSR 170 but with this smaller tank I went no skimmer, my nutrient export plan was fuge and water changes. However, I am facing low nutrient issues now so I’m not even going to add the fuge yet. I might just hook it up to an air stone in the first of the AIO chambers if I ever have low pH problems.

Coral reefer said:
The phosphate and nitrate is out of balance. Yes keep adding coral food and or dosing nitrates until they come up a bit.
Phosphate is higher than ideal, but not super high. You can use some gfo or rowaphos to lower that down a bit if you want to. A little lower would likely be good.
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I am also going to research carbon dosing as a way to increase the bacteria populations which will then eat the phosphate. Then that makes those bacteria available for the corals to intake phosphates in an easier way, at least that was my understanding after watching a lecture from the tropic marine guy, Lou.

For now I will mix up my sodium nitrate for dosing and will start with a 1mL dosage per day. I was going to replace my carbon so I can add some gfo, however, I do think carbon dosing could be a good path for me since I have high phosphate and no nitrate. But I want to see how adding nitrates will impact the balance between the two.
 
@ashburn2k is the green hammer I got from you branching? I had thought it was wall since it had 3 mouths and no separation. But I’m thinking now it may just be going from 1 to 3 heads maybe
 
Not looking good. Some Polyps have bailed out. I removed it from the rock and dipped it in case there were possibly FW on it causing this but nothing came off in revive or fw-exit.

I put it back on the rock and we will see what happens. I’m going to test to see if there’s anything off after adding gfo and carbon yesterday.
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