Ryan’s 40G first reef

[rdriggett]

Thanks Eric, if I can’t get this working I’ll take you up on that!
I found an old travel adapter, unplugged the dead head internally and got this thing sort of working! Now I have a few weeks to dial it in.

 

[jhuynh]

make sure u calibrate it with the actual fluid

 

[rdriggett]

make sure u calibrate it with the actual fluid

Thanks for the heads up, I’ll do that now.
Edit: it’s calibration is a joke. Just runs continuously.
Edit 2: It’s rated for 50ML/min but it runs at 60ML/min. That’s close enough for the amounts i dose.

 

[jhuynh]

Thanks for the heads up, I’ll do that now.
Edit: it’s calibration is a joke. Just runs continuously.
Edit 2: It’s rated for 50ML/min but it runs at 60ML/min. That’s close enough for the amounts i dose.

calibrate it twice. first time will be more since it's gotta prime the line.

 

[rdriggett]

Tiger pistol is coming out without my Yasha goby. I can’t find the goby in the tank. This hasn’t been a fun fish week.

 

[Srt4eric]

Tiger pistol is coming out without my Yasha goby. I can’t find the goby in the tank. This hasn’t been a fun fish week.

You'll find him

 

[rdriggett]

Browned out my first acro! Probably from an alk swing. Both other acros still have color. Never any PE though on my few tester Acros.

 

[rdriggett]

July 9th: Coral pictures

 

[rdriggett]

Shout out to @Danhsj for the affordable bubblegum digi colony! I took the plunge and yolo mounted it to my rock work at about 250 PAR with expoxy and in direct flow. I tried superglue but ended up just sticking me to myself. So far it’s looking great compared to my CFM bubblegum digi which has looked terrible after I got it. Time will tell about this one.

 

[rdriggett]

I ordered 2x of the new 2022 Jebao "ALW" generation wave pumps to see if the pump part is any different and to replace my oversized 2021 Jebao main wave pump so that I can finally mount corals to my rock work. Jebao also updated my return pump model, right after I bought it.
If anyone wants my perfectly good MLW-30 with 3D printed guard for cheap, let me know.

Edit: SLW, MLW, AND ALW all use the same impeller pump. I canceled my order as theres no physical feed button, only in the app. I ordered 1x MLW-10 (wifi+controller) instead.

 

[rdriggett]

Alk is steadily dropping despite dosing. I'm increased the dosing amount so now I have to wait for it to take hold. I test at the same time daily.

 

[rdriggett]

Problem: Monti caps growing but skin is pale/grey.

Parameters:
SG: 1.026
PH: 8.3
ALK: 9.3
CALC: 480-500
MAG: 1520-1580
NO3: 0
PO4: 0

 

[jhuynh]

work one problem at a time. I'd start with your nutrients. you're gonna starve your corals with those double 0's. you're gonna encounter a lot of issues with an imbalance nutrient system.

 

[rdriggett]

work one problem at a time. I'd start with your nutrients. you're gonna starve your corals with those double 0's. you're gonna encounter a lot of issues with an imbalance nutrient system.

I would LOVE to not have 0, 0 but I’m already over feeding frozen and pellets. I was told by some on here to not dose N&P. I just setup A/B+ on my doser and set it to 12ml/day. I’ll tackle other issues after this is fixed.

 

[jhuynh]

get more fish if you are able to. you need more fish poop.

 

[rdriggett]

get more fish if you are able to. you need more fish poop.

I’m waiting on 2-3 more fish (2nd clown, pink streaked wrasse, replacement yasha goby) and then I’ll be at maximum stocking.
If more fish doesn’t fix it, should I just dose N&P?

 

[jhuynh]

I’m waiting on 2-3 more fish (2nd clown, pink streaked wrasse, replacement yasha goby) and then I’ll be at maximum stocking.
If more fish doesn’t fix it, should I just dose N&P?

try the natural approach first with more fish. I'm not a fan of dosing any types of chemicals. we can figure that route later as a last resort.

 

[rdriggett]

try the natural approach first with more fish. I'm not a fan of dosing any types of chemicals. we can figure that route later as a last resort.

Got it, I’ll continue to avoid that and try more fish first.

 

[RandyC]

Why even have a skimmer if your Nitrates and Phosphates are zero? That size skimmer won’t be doing much for gas exchange.

 

[rdriggett]

Why even have a skimmer if you Nitrates and Phosphates are zero?

Great question that I can’t answer other than something vague like aeration or water clarity.
Edit: it’s currently not collecting anything, just oxygenating.