Am I doing this okay? (W/pics)

[BreadReef]

Hey Y'all,

I've been keeping this aquarium since July 21,2021, I've been through a load of 'stages' none of which have lead me to a clean tank with coralline algae as I see in all the videos and photos of social media.
The online impression leads me to feelings that I am doing this wrong.

My parameters are steady, I have lost a monti or two but much more success than failures in corals. My Xenia started deflating on me about 2 days ago which prompted more insecurity but I read that it can happen occasionally and there's a 50/50 of them coming back. (most my keeping troubles being when I compulsively purchase something that calcifies)

I thought if I shared my aquariums current state, you all could weigh in on how this looks for a 7-8month old reef aquarium.

Thank you for some constructive feedback and advice on my aquarium.

Cheers!

 

[Woodyman]

You came to the right place. Do you currently test. If so what are your values both currently and historical as the system has developed. Any trends? Increasing PO4/NO3, etc.

 

[SchrutesReefs]

Nice collection of fish! Looks like you have some GHA taking over your rocks. “Parameter are steady” doesn't give us a lot to work with though, any chance you have recent parameters that you can list off?

 

[Woodyman]

Also failed to ask what does your cleanup crew and full stocking list look like?

Along with your maintenance routine (water changes, sock changes, skimmer cleaning, etc.)

 

[BreadReef]

I appreciate all of this, let me expound for you all.

Maintenance:
10%/week, TM pro with RODI.
I vacuum the substrate and rock work once a week.
I does about 2-3ml of TM A4R nightly.

Parameters: I test alk every morning the rest every Saturday
Phosphate is .03
Nitrate fluctuates 5-10ppm, I use reef enhance when I see it going up to treat the symptom.
Alk 7.9-8
Cal 489
Mag 1380
Iodine .05

CUC:
1 Pincushion
1 Rock urchin
6 Large turbo snail
8-10 large trochus
3-5 large astrea
A ton of nerites
10 blue leg hermits
2 red leg hermits
3 fighting conchs
~5 large ceriths
Dozens of dwarf ceriths
A horde of nassarius larger and smaller (I think multiple species, some have huge trailing bodies)

I might be leaving something out in the way of cleaners but this is a good perspective.

Trends:
I had a long period of the tank not taking up alk, it was close to two months. I did a 50% water change and it started picking up again. I'm not sure why this was occuring but I thought maybe the phosphate is low because of algae?
I treated the GHA with vibrant and it's done a lot of good for fighting it back (knowing they're under scrutiny today but I'm not here for that discussion)
If there's a better approach for the GHA I'm open to opportunities.

Nitrate does fluxuate, if I didn't water change and use reef enhance I'd think it'd be near 20.

I do grow macros in a sump, gracilaria, and caulerpa but it's only recently (1 month). The caulerpa is starting to take off.

Fish stock.. I like fish, and I bought a lot early on, admittedly more than you all will like but I'll be transparent anyways.
2 Sailfin tangs (one is adult one is juvenile) they've been together for all 7 months.
3 chromis
7 bangaii
2 blenny (scooter and a striped)
1 cleaner wrasse
1 hawk fish
1 neon dottyback
1 goby
1 pistol shrimp

 

[BreadReef]

I missed a couple things, I'm running 200 micron socks and they're changed every 3 days.

Salinity is 1.025
Temp is 80

 

[SchrutesReefs]

Temp is high in my opinion, not a big deal but could lead to algae issues. Others will say it’s perfect, dealers choice I suppose. I read back thru and I may have missed it, but what is your tank size?

 

[Arego]

Your tank is just a baby, keep nurturing it like you have and you'll see it slowly creep up everywhere

 

[Woodyman]

I missed a couple things, I'm running 200 micron socks and they're changed every 3 days.

Salinity is 1.025
Temp is 80

Both of your replies give me the confidence that you are on a path to success. Continue with what your doing, If you are consistent about filter socks you could swap over to felt. It *should* help with nutrients more than the 200 micron socks.

Are any of your turbos Mexican turbos? They have a heavy appetite for GHA.

Are you running a skimmer? Wet, dry skimate?

Your not doing a bad job! Good work.

 

[BostonReefer300]

Both of your replies give me the confidence that you are on a path to success. Continue with what your doing, If you are consistent about filter socks you could swap over to felt. It *should* help with nutrients more than the 200 micron socks.

Are any of your turbos Mexican turbos? They have a heavy appetite for GHA.

Are you running a skimmer? Wet, dry skimate?

Your not doing a bad job! Good work.

I agree with the sentiment and questions above. Also with the earlier question about what the tank size is? Do you have a sump?

 

[BreadReef]

I have 2 75 gallons connected by a hob overflow.
Water volume is 110 gallons

The filter socks are felt not mesh

The turbos are Mexican turbos, they initially went to work pretty hard but more often I'm finding them attached to my nori.

I appreciate the positive vibes, I definitely work hard and am passionate about succeeding. I definitely was hoping to hear a "stay the course" and "trust the process" type feedback as that improves my confidence.

Kindly, I appreciate any advice and am also open to criticism as we all have room to grow.

Thank you

 

[BreadReef]

No skimmer, by the way.

I've kept everything very simple, only automation is an ink bird on 3 fluval 100w heaters.

 

[Woodyman]

I have 2 75 gallons connected by a hob overflow.
Water volume is 110 gallons

The filter socks are felt not mesh

The turbos are Mexican turbos, they initially went to work pretty hard but more often I'm finding them attached to my nori.

I appreciate the positive vibes, I definitely work hard and am passionate about succeeding. I definitely was hoping to hear a "stay the course" and "trust the process" type feedback as that improves my confidence.

Kindly, I appreciate any advice and am also open to criticism as we all have room to grow.

Thank you

Stop feeding the turbos! Easier said then done. With easy access to the nori for your fish they have gotten lazy!

 

[BreadReef]

I agree with the sentiment and questions above. Also with the earlier question about what the tank size is? Do you have a sump?

Yes, I am keeping caulerpa and gracilaria in it.

The display and sump/fuge are both 75 gallon aquariums.

 

[Woodyman]

No skimmer, by the way.

I've kept everything very simple, only automation is an ink bird on 3 fluval 100w heaters.

If you have the space a skimmer would help with the nutrients

 

[Simon Reefing]

Temp is high in my opinion, not a big deal but could lead to algae issues. Others will say it’s perfect, dealers choice I suppose. I read back thru and I may have missed it, but what is your tank size?

Does 80 degrees promote algae growth? I have my tank at 79-80 and have had a bit of cyano

 

[Woodyman]

How heavy is your coral load?

Lighting schedule/intensity?

 

[BreadReef]

How heavy is your coral load?

Lighting schedule/intensity?

I would say I have a light load of coral, I have maybe 10-12 small frags mixed in variety.

Lighting schedule is 12 hours total, morning ramps for 3 hours in blue only, daylight for 6 hours in the afternoon and then ramps down in blue spectrum again at night for 3 hours.

Intensity at it's highest point is 60%, I'm running 2 Nicrew hyper reef boxes and a hygger 48" full spectrum bar for supplemental light during the daylight hours only.

 

[Woodyman]

I would say I have a light load of coral, I have maybe 10-12 small frags mixed in variety.

Lighting schedule is 12 hours total, morning ramps for 3 hours in blue only, daylight for 6 hours in the afternoon and then ramps down in blue spectrum again at night for 3 hours.

Intensity at it's highest point is 60%, I'm running 2 Nicrew hyper reef boxes and a hygger 48" full spectrum bar for supplemental light during the daylight hours only.

You might be able to cut back using the supplemental bar for the time being until your coral load increases. The extra light isn't being used by your corals and it's feeding all that algae.

 

[BreadReef]

You might be able to cut back using the supplemental bar for the time being until your coral load increases. The extra light isn't being used by your corals and it's feeding all that algae.

I could definitely start reducing it and phase it out, the hair algae is definitely my biggest concern.
It will overtake a coral if I am not careful in maintaining it.