Hi, all. I have a 14 year-old mixed reef that for the most part has been stellar its whole life. 120-gallons with a 60-gallon sump, EuroReef skimmer, 200 lbs. of mature live rock, 3 Kessil 360WEs and 2 110 Watt VHOs. Phosphate and Nitrate have always been consistently low, pH better than average for an indoor reef, and alk steady around 9 with 6x per day dosing of B-Ionic. There is quite a bit of current with a Sequence pump pushing 3000 gph through two SeaSwirls, and a IceCap Gyre on Random opposing them. It is a simple, low-tech, but high-quality component system that is largely based on the Berlin Method.
Basically, it is a very mixed reef, with everything from mushrooms and other softies to several LPS to all kinds of SPS, including Seriatopora, Montis and others, as well as a Maxima clam that seems to grow an inch an hour.
I've tried several kinds of Acros over the years. They will grow like weeds for a year or so, have great color, and then reach a good size and die from the bottom up. Doesn't matter what kind- cheap common ones, or rare expensive ones. Every last one. Am I trying the impossible (having such a mixed reef), is it just not tuned to their likes, is there not enough current as they get too big? I'm about ready to throw in the towel as my gorgeous Blueberry acro dies off.
Basically, it is a very mixed reef, with everything from mushrooms and other softies to several LPS to all kinds of SPS, including Seriatopora, Montis and others, as well as a Maxima clam that seems to grow an inch an hour.
I've tried several kinds of Acros over the years. They will grow like weeds for a year or so, have great color, and then reach a good size and die from the bottom up. Doesn't matter what kind- cheap common ones, or rare expensive ones. Every last one. Am I trying the impossible (having such a mixed reef), is it just not tuned to their likes, is there not enough current as they get too big? I'm about ready to throw in the towel as my gorgeous Blueberry acro dies off.
