Rob.In.AZ
Community Member
So here's the deal. My tank has been up and running for 5 1/2 years or so. The tank is doing okay, but not as good as it has been in the past. Largely my own fault because of just a lack of attention from me. In my defense, a newborn was added to the mix, and I had some period of time where I just didn't have the energy or the want to. Some things are growing like crazy, some things are stagnant, and I've lost some things.
I've been doing this for a bit, since 2003. Don't say that to imply that I know everything, in fact, I think it's a bit of the opposite. I put my tank on autopilot, maybe too much. I am not or have not been active on boards, or with reef groups, and haven't been keeping up with what's current. My setup is basically the same type of setup that I've used since my first SPS tank back whenever that was.
155g SPS Dominant
Tank: 155g DSA Pro(72x24x21) w/ 30g sump & 20g topoff
Conttroller: Apex
Flow: Wav x 2
Skimmer: ATB 840v2 Skimmer
Lights: ATI 6x80W T5s
Maintenance: 2-part dosing Alk & Cal, GFO reactor, Weekly 10% water changes
Salinity 1.026 (Calibrated refractometer)
NO3 - ~15ppm
Ca - 330ppm
DKH - 8
PO4 - not sure
Parameters
I was literally about to mention that I don't really test Mag b/c I have never had any trouble keeping Ca up. With that said, my Ca is low, so I will probably test this weekend for giggles. More on the low Ca in a second.
PO4 is something that I just don't have a Hanna checker to test, and as of last time I paid attention, there were no test kits that were really accurate. Assume that a PO4 checker of some sort is still the way to go here?
Ca/ Alk - I am dosing DIY 2-part (dosing pump, 24 doses/ day), and dialing it back in, which I assume is why my Ca is low. My biggest concern here is the tank size/ coral size...is this going to keep up?
Lights & Flow
I feel like the flow is lacking. I went from 2 MP40QDs to the Wavs because I didn't feel like I was getting great flow, seemed like I needed at least one MP60 to really get the flow I wanted. The 60s are just cost prohibitive. The Wavs are fine. Like them for the 6'x2' footprint, but now that things are grown out, flow is getting restricted and they make for a challenge.
Lights are kinda the same boat as flow. It's fine. Swapped out Hydras for the ATI. The 6 tube fixture was fine, but as things have grown, I feel like another 2 tubes would be nice to have.
Not really sure if there is any question here. Don't think I am going to be making any changes at this point, short of the pumps or lights failing. Unless someone has a really crazy good suggestion here. Just not sure if I am in a spot to lay out that kind of cash at the moment.
Water Analysis/ ICP testing
Really interested in this. Curious what kind of experience people have had with these.
How is this with large tanks? How is the running cost? Can I continue to manage Ca & Alk as I have been and just use the testing/ micro dosing? Okay that I have no fuge?
Nutrient Export
Interested in thoughts some alternate nutrient export. Also interested in the thoughts on my skimmer. Was considered a pretty good option for a tank in this size, but that was a while ago. It is the older model with the PSK pump, not the Airstar. Not sure if it would make sense to put money into that change, but figure it's good to ask.
I really need to cut things back, and get the tank cleaned up in general. Have been looking at moving towards more LPS as I have some holes opening up in the scape. If I thought there was enough demand locally for SPS, I would consider fragging out the whole thing and reboot it. Still may depending on what the LFS guys have to say.
I think I need to cut back the WWC Starburst on the left side, and probably need to do the same of the big monti aequituberculata. I think those 2 are really restricting the flow.
I've been doing this for a bit, since 2003. Don't say that to imply that I know everything, in fact, I think it's a bit of the opposite. I put my tank on autopilot, maybe too much. I am not or have not been active on boards, or with reef groups, and haven't been keeping up with what's current. My setup is basically the same type of setup that I've used since my first SPS tank back whenever that was.
155g SPS Dominant
Tank: 155g DSA Pro(72x24x21) w/ 30g sump & 20g topoff
Conttroller: Apex
Flow: Wav x 2
Skimmer: ATB 840v2 Skimmer
Lights: ATI 6x80W T5s
Maintenance: 2-part dosing Alk & Cal, GFO reactor, Weekly 10% water changes
Salinity 1.026 (Calibrated refractometer)
NO3 - ~15ppm
Ca - 330ppm
DKH - 8
PO4 - not sure
Parameters
I was literally about to mention that I don't really test Mag b/c I have never had any trouble keeping Ca up. With that said, my Ca is low, so I will probably test this weekend for giggles. More on the low Ca in a second.
PO4 is something that I just don't have a Hanna checker to test, and as of last time I paid attention, there were no test kits that were really accurate. Assume that a PO4 checker of some sort is still the way to go here?
Ca/ Alk - I am dosing DIY 2-part (dosing pump, 24 doses/ day), and dialing it back in, which I assume is why my Ca is low. My biggest concern here is the tank size/ coral size...is this going to keep up?
Lights & Flow
I feel like the flow is lacking. I went from 2 MP40QDs to the Wavs because I didn't feel like I was getting great flow, seemed like I needed at least one MP60 to really get the flow I wanted. The 60s are just cost prohibitive. The Wavs are fine. Like them for the 6'x2' footprint, but now that things are grown out, flow is getting restricted and they make for a challenge.
Lights are kinda the same boat as flow. It's fine. Swapped out Hydras for the ATI. The 6 tube fixture was fine, but as things have grown, I feel like another 2 tubes would be nice to have.
Not really sure if there is any question here. Don't think I am going to be making any changes at this point, short of the pumps or lights failing. Unless someone has a really crazy good suggestion here. Just not sure if I am in a spot to lay out that kind of cash at the moment.
Water Analysis/ ICP testing
Really interested in this. Curious what kind of experience people have had with these.
How is this with large tanks? How is the running cost? Can I continue to manage Ca & Alk as I have been and just use the testing/ micro dosing? Okay that I have no fuge?
Nutrient Export
Interested in thoughts some alternate nutrient export. Also interested in the thoughts on my skimmer. Was considered a pretty good option for a tank in this size, but that was a while ago. It is the older model with the PSK pump, not the Airstar. Not sure if it would make sense to put money into that change, but figure it's good to ask.
I really need to cut things back, and get the tank cleaned up in general. Have been looking at moving towards more LPS as I have some holes opening up in the scape. If I thought there was enough demand locally for SPS, I would consider fragging out the whole thing and reboot it. Still may depending on what the LFS guys have to say.
I think I need to cut back the WWC Starburst on the left side, and probably need to do the same of the big monti aequituberculata. I think those 2 are really restricting the flow.
