Changed salts and it's been down hill, any suggestions...
- Thread starter btldreef
- Start date
btldreef
Moderator
Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/3296714
Look into Gracillaria. Aquatic connection has some good varieties. Also a good food for you herbivorous fish.
Thanks, will do.
Two questions that I can't find a definitive answer on (and there probably isn't one, but I'd like some other opinions):
1) Should I keep a grazer in the refugium, like a small foxface?
2) How many hours should I keep the lights on for? Some say 24hrs, others do only at night, etc...
http:///forum/post/3296714
Look into Gracillaria. Aquatic connection has some good varieties. Also a good food for you herbivorous fish.
Thanks, will do.
Two questions that I can't find a definitive answer on (and there probably isn't one, but I'd like some other opinions):
1) Should I keep a grazer in the refugium, like a small foxface?
2) How many hours should I keep the lights on for? Some say 24hrs, others do only at night, etc...
btldreef
Moderator
Thanks so much for your help!
I was leaning towards no grazers and lights on at night, now I feel more comfortable doing so.
By the way, you were spot on about the detritus build up on the little bit of live rock in the sump. We were keeping it in there until we got the refugium set up, and sure enough, when I took it out to place in the fuge, it was covered. Can't believe I overlooked that. I forgot to mention, our nitrates were at or around 0 (always below 5) until recently. I know it's not the change in salt that caused the spike, it just happened to coincide with it. That being said, the parameters have ALL been off since switching salts.
Hopefully I can catch my Sailfin Tang, that, extra water changes, a clean sump, a heavier (wetter) running skimmer, the extra filtration of the fluval and the refugium should help. *fingers crossed*
I'm debating on whether or not to keep the live rock in the fluval and just rinse it at water changes, or every other water change, partially because I don't know where else to put it.
I was leaning towards no grazers and lights on at night, now I feel more comfortable doing so.
By the way, you were spot on about the detritus build up on the little bit of live rock in the sump. We were keeping it in there until we got the refugium set up, and sure enough, when I took it out to place in the fuge, it was covered. Can't believe I overlooked that. I forgot to mention, our nitrates were at or around 0 (always below 5) until recently. I know it's not the change in salt that caused the spike, it just happened to coincide with it. That being said, the parameters have ALL been off since switching salts.
Hopefully I can catch my Sailfin Tang, that, extra water changes, a clean sump, a heavier (wetter) running skimmer, the extra filtration of the fluval and the refugium should help. *fingers crossed*
I'm debating on whether or not to keep the live rock in the fluval and just rinse it at water changes, or every other water change, partially because I don't know where else to put it.
spanko
Active Member
Fluval is a great place for mechanical and chemical filtration. Filter pads, floss, carbon, Chemipure Elite, Purigen, Phosban etc. etc. could be part of what is used in there. Live rock IMO is a no-no in the Fluval.
Just remember whatever is put in there cannot be neglected. There are maintenance needs for this type of filter and if not performed will allow build up of unwanted stuff that will mess with the tank parameters.
Just remember whatever is put in there cannot be neglected. There are maintenance needs for this type of filter and if not performed will allow build up of unwanted stuff that will mess with the tank parameters.
slice
Active Member
Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/3296736
a photo-period the reverse of your display will help to stabilize Ph across the 24 hour day.
I wonder if you, and others like you, have any idea how many small, priceless gems you throw out daily that resonate far beyond the original intent. This comment meshes with one by beaslbob the other day regarding Ph and time of day.
Thanks!!
http:///forum/post/3296736
a photo-period the reverse of your display will help to stabilize Ph across the 24 hour day.
I wonder if you, and others like you, have any idea how many small, priceless gems you throw out daily that resonate far beyond the original intent. This comment meshes with one by beaslbob the other day regarding Ph and time of day.
Thanks!!
btldreef
Moderator
I know that we have to stay on top of the Fluval for maintenance. I never wanted to own one, but honestly, I have noticed it helping and we really did need more flow and filtration, and the Fluval offers both.
I have carbon running in the Fluval and a phosban reactor, and a phosban reactor running w/ phoslock (until we run out, then I'll go to something else). I'm going to move the ChemiPure to the Fluval since its not really doing much in the sump anyways. I think the LR is coming out of the Fluval, just need to make room for it. Since it's rubble, I really don't want it in the DT. I might leave it for a week or so until I'm ready to frag and use the rubble instead of coral plugs.
I have carbon running in the Fluval and a phosban reactor, and a phosban reactor running w/ phoslock (until we run out, then I'll go to something else). I'm going to move the ChemiPure to the Fluval since its not really doing much in the sump anyways. I think the LR is coming out of the Fluval, just need to make room for it. Since it's rubble, I really don't want it in the DT. I might leave it for a week or so until I'm ready to frag and use the rubble instead of coral plugs.
spanko
Active Member
Originally Posted by Slice
http:///forum/post/3296773
I wonder if you, and others like you, have any idea how many small, priceless gems you throw out daily that resonate far beyond the original intent. This comment meshes with one by beaslbob the other day regarding Ph and time of day.
Thanks!!
HeeHee thank you, I just say what the small voices in my head tell me to!
http:///forum/post/3296773
I wonder if you, and others like you, have any idea how many small, priceless gems you throw out daily that resonate far beyond the original intent. This comment meshes with one by beaslbob the other day regarding Ph and time of day.
Thanks!!
HeeHee thank you, I just say what the small voices in my head tell me to!
btldreef
Moderator
Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/3296776
Or it can go into the fuge with the rest of the rock from the sump. You do know that an area in the fuge or even the display with a pile of broken, small pcs. of rubble is a great breeding spot for pods right?
yes, lol.
I just hate the way piles of rubble look for some reason
I actually have 5 small piles of rubble behind my displayed rock in my DT. If I can figure out how to hide it in the refugium (since this is also a displayed tank, didn't fit or syphon correctly right under the tank.) There is one huge chunk of LR in the refugium and all the rubble and smaller pieces from the sump. I still need to keep room for the remaining sand and rock that's coming out of my 14G, and that's loaded with pods, so the extra rubble would really help the population expload in the fuge, just need to think it all through. My head is spinning with this tank this week and it is only Tuesday!
http:///forum/post/3296776
Or it can go into the fuge with the rest of the rock from the sump. You do know that an area in the fuge or even the display with a pile of broken, small pcs. of rubble is a great breeding spot for pods right?
yes, lol.
I just hate the way piles of rubble look for some reason
btldreef
Moderator
So, we did a 30% water change last night with full AquaVitro Salinity salt (did not ween like we have in the past) that had been mixed for about 36 hours and added the refugium, here are the readings as of 6PM (white lights just went off after being on since 10AM)
API test kit
Phosphate: <.025, almost 0, but I don't want to say completely 0
Nitrate: <5, almost 0, but again, don't want to jump the gun and say 0 just yet
pH: 8.2/8.3, coloring is right in between
KH: 11
Ca: 450 (API test, too lazy to do Salifert right now)
I'm shocked to see a nitrate drop and a pH change so fast. We're keeping up with aggressive water changes for at least two or three more days. I feel like we've been making water non-stop!
API test kit
Phosphate: <.025, almost 0, but I don't want to say completely 0
Nitrate: <5, almost 0, but again, don't want to jump the gun and say 0 just yet
pH: 8.2/8.3, coloring is right in between
KH: 11
Ca: 450 (API test, too lazy to do Salifert right now)
I'm shocked to see a nitrate drop and a pH change so fast. We're keeping up with aggressive water changes for at least two or three more days. I feel like we've been making water non-stop!
btldreef
Moderator
Originally Posted by Gemmy
http:///forum/post/3297108
Congrats on the progress!
Thanks. I feel like I've been through hell with this tank lately! I just don't want this all to be false hope. I still have this pit in my stomach that I'm not even close to being over the hump yet
http:///forum/post/3297108
Congrats on the progress!
Thanks. I feel like I've been through hell with this tank lately! I just don't want this all to be false hope. I still have this pit in my stomach that I'm not even close to being over the hump yet
btldreef
Moderator
Tests, night 2 (added purigen to the Fluval last night, because I've wanted to start using it again for awhile and the LFS just didn't have it):
Phosphates: 0
Nitrates: 0 (or undetectable)
KH: 10
pH: 8.2
Salinity: 1.026
These readings after we fed the fish and added Rod's Coral Food to the tank last night after a water change.
Another water change tonight. After this, we're going to wait a day or two and see what happens with the readings.
I'm celebrating with ice cream
Phosphates: 0
Nitrates: 0 (or undetectable)
KH: 10
pH: 8.2
Salinity: 1.026
These readings after we fed the fish and added Rod's Coral Food to the tank last night after a water change.
Another water change tonight. After this, we're going to wait a day or two and see what happens with the readings.
I'm celebrating with ice cream