Update time. Nutrient woes, fish removed, new fish.
It's been about 3 weeks since my last post, and a bit longer than that since my last actual update. A lot has happened, and almost nothing at the same time.
Phosphate issues. I realized a while back that I had been making a testing error with my phosphates. I was testing after feeding or doing maintenance which led to artificially high readings. I started noticing reduced polyp extension, slowed growth, and dying algae. Tested phos properly for a bit and realized it was very low 0.00-0.01. Unfortunately I took a trip down to San Diego to visit some friends and by the time I got back it was a clean 0.00. Torch was barely extended, half the zoas were closed, clove polyps were melting. Ended up starting some phosphate dosing.
I'm dosing about 3mL of the solution per day. One dose -should- be enough to bring my levels to about .1. Not the case. The levels are usually detectable, but still running low .01 - .05. The corals are fairly well perked back up. Zoas are mostly open again, clove polyps are opening again. The torch still has reduced polyp extension, and the acanthophyllia isn't fully open, but both seem to be improving. This is likely also partially related to a 3 day blackout because I thought I saw some very fine strings on the sand and I'm paranoid about dinos. No more strings, but I probably overreacted. It very well could have just been normal algae. I'm still not sure where all the phos is even going?
Just noticed this morning that the phos is making my euphyllia act funny. Like they've been starved for so long and now need light or have decided to split or something. Hopefully not bailing? Gonna slow down on the phos dosing and see if they improve. Any ideas here?
Phos dosing, increased feeding, decreased water changes, no skimmer, microbacter dosing and hopefully we'll be okay. This leads nicely into the fish issues, and my trying to increase bioload a bit.
Fish. I had some serious trouble catching the Midas blenny. He got wise after being caught for the acclimation box. Managed to catch him finally after tearing a good chunk of the tank apart. Back to the LFS he went. Good riddance. The fins on the blackcap and the B/W ocellaris are mostly healed up and they seem back to their normal selves. The basslet has gotten really into digging new burrows lately which is annoying because she spits sand all over the place. I had to dig out my plate coral the other day.
Not sure if it was coincidence, but it seemed the phos issues got a lot worse right after I removed the blenny. Time to add more fish. Current inhabitants are only the two clowns, the sixline, and the basslet. I waffled a lot on what fish to add, even made a separate post here. Had decided on a tailspot blenny (thanks
@JoJosReef), and a yellow watchman goby. Not very exciting, but seemed like a safe choice.
Went to the LFS and of course they had a whitetail bristletooth for $89. Yep, you read that correct. So obviously my fish plans went out the window. It ended up being mismarked from $189 (still a steal in my book), but my LFS is awesome and honored the posted price. I'll head back in in another week or so and spend the $100 price difference + on some coral to assuage my guilt over the crazy deal. I'm also aware some people may look down on the tang in a tank this size. Still planning the upgrade, and if I run into issues I can always rehome. It is what it is.
I had learned my lesson a few months back about unquarantined fish. Set up a cheap aqueon, HOB filter, heater, PVC elbows. Had some seeded media from the main tank, grabbed some copper power and a hanna checker and off we go. Added the whitetail bristletooth and a tailspot blenny from the LFS yesterdat afternoon. If all goes well these should be the final two fish in the tank. Gonna give them a day or two before starting the copper. Skittish, but happy for now.
This will be my first time doing my own QT, so wish me luck! (Note: those two spots are not on the fish)
Some lovely frags you have in there..
