Am I doing this okay? (W/pics)

[BreadReef]

Yes, frequent vacuuming and water changes will help. So will a healthy refugium along with filter socks that are cleaned frequently.

Thank you, this sounds like the routine I am leveraging today, every 3 days I'm rotating socks, I'm vacuuming once a week and doing 10% water changes weekly.

Would you say there is the need for more frequency in any of these activities?

 

[IslandLifeReef]

Thank you, this sounds like the routine I am leveraging today, every 3 days I'm rotating socks, I'm vacuuming once a week and doing 10% water changes weekly.

Would you say there is the need for more frequency in any of these activities?

If you are having to add chemicals to bring NO3 down, then I would change the filter socks every other day to start with. See how that works, and then if needed, increase the vacuuming and water changes. If NO3 and PO4 stay stable, then keep doing what you are doing.

 

[BreadReef]

If you are having to add chemicals to bring NO3 down, then I would change the filter socks every other day to start with. See how that works, and then if needed, increase the vacuuming and water changes. If NO3 and PO4 stay stable, then keep doing what you are doing.

I can definitely do this.

I don't see a lot of movement in phosphate but nitrates do fluxuate a little.

Adding some photos of the macros I have.

 

[IslandLifeReef]

I can definitely do this.

I don't see a lot of movement in phosphate but nitrates do fluxuate a little.

Adding some photos of the macros I have.

That looks great! Have you considered adding Pods to that? Pods could thrive in that, along with a piece of live base rock and really help your tank get/stay balanced. The rock doesn't need to be fancy, just contain all the the good stuff that comes on true live rock. The Pods would also provide a small food source for your corals and fish as they get pumped up into the display tank.

 

[BreadReef]

That looks great! Have you considered adding Pods to that? Pods could thrive in that, along with a piece of live base rock and really help your tank get/stay balanced. The rock doesn't need to be fancy, just contain all the the good stuff that comes on true live rock. The Pods would also provide a small food source for your corals and fish as they get pumped up into the display tank.

I am definitely open to getting some true live rock, I learned of a company through reef builders, Tampa Bay liverock. I hope to get some from them in the future.
The macro tank has a load of pods, the display has less predominant population but I think that's attributable to the wrasse.

I seeded 64oz of mixed pods around Christmas time to the display, from algae barn.
I could definitely add some more to the display though, it's probably time for a top up.

 

[Woodyman]

That looks great! Have you considered adding Pods to that? Pods could thrive in that, along with a piece of live base rock and really help your tank get/stay balanced. The rock doesn't need to be fancy, just contain all the the good stuff that comes on true live rock. The Pods would also provide a small food source for your corals and fish as they get pumped up into the display tank.

I'd agree, add some rock you don't need a fancy scape or anything. I'd say go 25+ lbs (it doesn't all have to be live from the start), and if you can dose some pods I'd go Apex from @Reef Nutrition if available near you.

 

[BreadReef]

I'd agree, add some rock you don't need a fancy scape or anything. I'd say go 25+ lbs (it doesn't all have to be live from the start), and if you can dose some pods I'd go Apex from @Reef Nutrition if available near you.

I'll definitely look into reef nutrition, and I could definitely pick up a box of random dry rock for the sump, I do want to try real live rock also though.
The idea of all the sponges and hitchhikers is excitable for me.

 

[Woodyman]

I'll definitely look into reef nutrition, and I could definitely pick up a box of random dry rock for the sump, I do want to try real live rock also though.
The idea of all the sponges and hitchhikers is excitable for me.

I only say dry because of the cost perspective. 25+ lbs of real live rock isn't cheap. If you ok with everything that comes with the TB live rock go for it!! Buy what you can and then as I said I'd supplement it up to at least a total weight of 25lbs+ you could probably do something in the 50-75lb range for total weight.

The live rock depending on how much you get can also bring in more macro algae variety!

 

[IslandLifeReef]

I'll definitely look into reef nutrition, and I could definitely pick up a box of random dry rock for the sump, I do want to try real live rock also though.
The idea of all the sponges and hitchhikers is excitable for me.

The only issue with dry rock is it can sometimes leach PO4. IMO, one decent size piece of true live rock would be best. I believe you can get live base rock from TampaBay Liverock.

 

[11f150]

You have a great maintenance schedule. I'd say keep it up and maybe add a ATS or fuge and dose microbactor7. Wouldn't do anything drastic, I think it will come around.

 

[BreadReef]

I only say dry because of the cost perspective. 25+ lbs of real live rock isn't cheap. If you ok with everything that comes with the TB live rock go for it!! Buy what you can and then as I said I'd supplement it up to at least a total weight of 25lbs+ you could probably do something in the 50-75lb range for total weight.

The live rock depending on how much you get can also bring in more macro algae variety!

I agree with the cost being steep in bulk, I will likely buy a smaller amount of tb live rock and then match it up with the some Carib Sea life rock or something seasoned from an LFS. (the LFS is also not cheap, maybe 9$/lb.

This is likely a path I'll travel in a relatively short timeframe.

 

[BreadReef]

The only issue with dry rock is it can sometimes leach PO4. IMO, one decent size piece of true live rock would be best. I believe you can get live base rock from TampaBay Liverock.

I would like to say I'll only add liverock to improve surface area but I'll likely figure out a reasonable amount by cost and then supplement with something from my lfs that they have already cured.

 

[BreadReef]

You have a great maintenance schedule. I'd say keep it up and maybe add a ATS or fuge and dose microbactor7. Wouldn't do anything drastic, I think it will come around.

Turf scrubber has been something I've thought about a lot but I worry about the impact to my macro algae.
I also have thought of bottled bacteria, I have live rock enhance, which is a bacteria from what I understand. I've added it routinely in the past but after a few months I didn't notice any benefit so I've since cut back.

I do use tm reef actif on occasion which I believe supports the feeding and proliferation of bacteria.