Capt Billy's 300g Stony Reef

[Captain Billy]

Here are a few shots of the sump area. No, it's not always that clean, I just spent the day yesterday cleaning the skimmer and vacuuming the sump. I wanted to make sure all the power cords were 100% salt creep free because of the issue I'm having with the gem tang. Also changed out the heater for 2 new 300w via aqua's connected to my apex. I will probably still connect them to two Ranco controllers for additional security.

Even with stable parameters, no detectable NO3 or PO4, some corals are still just not happy. A a.efflo colony has been STNing along with two birds nests and some zoas still aren't happy. I'm beginning to think it may have something to do with the salt. I have been using tropic marin pro but I am tired of having to add calcium and buffer to it to get the levels even close to the tank. Not to mention stuff floating on the surface and some batches have precipitate, just overall inconsistency. I ordered some ESV salt from marine depot last week but they haven't even shipped it even though they were sure to bill me for it. I am on the fence about getting some reef crystals, I'm not sure if I will like the ESV or not, plus it seems difficult to get not to mention expensive. I just want to find a salt and stick with it, so disappointed in tropic marin after using it for so many years.

 

[Mike J.]

Bird nests are the first to go when there's a change in alkalinity. After having used IO for 20 years with no problems I was talked into changing salt. The people in my reef club were all the rage with Kent. One of the worst mistakes I ever made. It was a lot like you're describing. Wouldn't clear up, floating stuff, precipitation, and alkalinity through the roof. Killed my basketball size bird nests. I won't use anything Kent ever again. I switched to RC about two years ago.

Very nice set up.

 

[Captain Billy]

I used RC for a small amount of time about 6 months ago. It mixed clear with good levels, however there was this film of brown residue on the surface if the barrel and it had a sweet smell to it, kind of like rice crispies. I quite using it because of that. For all the money spent in the reef keeping hobby, it's amazing there isn't better quality products.

 

[Captain Billy]

Thought I would share a photo of some other systems I have. This is in my garage, it's a 125g soft coral system with an attached 60g frag tank for this system. I also have a large quarantine system for fish as well.

 

[trido]

Good looking set ups there. I've been using RC for about seven months after switching from IO. My tank has been doing great since switching. I'd be surprised if your corals dont rebound since you cleared up the stray voltage and are keeping your parameters stable.

 

[vtecintegra]

I've had cyano and poor coral health hit me a few times around the 1 1/2 to 2 year mark even with low numbers. Each time I ended up siphoning the sand out and it's been loaded with detritus. My rocks seem to hold a lot also unless a powerhead is blowing directly on them. Last time a went around with this I ended up not putting the sand back in and so far the tank is doing well. In my case detritus was causing me similar problems. Maybe try siphoning the sand with one of those sand bed cleaners when doing a water change if not already and take a look at how good or bad the water looks.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Welcome back buddy! Following along!

 

[ethridge78]

Awesome tank love how everything is clean looking .

 

[Captain Billy]

Still really frustrated with this tank. Still losing coral throughout the tank, most recently affected were two Acan colonies that I've had for a long time. One was a rather large colony I've had for years that I removed and placed in another system, we will see if it recovers. The other was a frag that I've had for a few months.

I checked all my parameters again and everything was good except MG, which was around 1250. I think low content in the tropic marin salt I was using led to this.

I ordered two more pumps for the tank, MP40's. I just don't think it's getting enough circulation with the 2 MP60's.

Ordered some ESV salt because I'm convinced that a large portion of my problems was being caused by the tropic marin. Did my first 80 gallon water change with it the other day. Have to wait and see if I get any results but I like the way it mixes and all the levels tested great. However I don't want to use $108 per 200g salt to fix the tanks problems, I just can't manage big enough changes using the brute barrels I have.

What I can do, however, is use a water trailer that I have to go collect 275 gallons of seawater at a time and do a massive water change to reequalibriate the water and remove what ever the heck is causing me so many problems. If I hadn't been doing this for 10 years, and didn't have other systems that are doing well, I would tear down the tank.

 

[Captain Billy]

Added two MP40's today in addition to the two MP60's already in the tank. Hopefully this increased flow will help the process of getting this tank back on track.

On the bright side, I'm fairly certain the voltage problem is solved, and I think the culprit for what's happening to the acan colonies is a rouge peppermint shrimp I forgot I had.

Next project, removing a few rocks and scrubbing off some pesky blue cloves before they get anymore out of control.

 

[Eienna]

Hope so. :/ You feeding those corals at all?

 

[Captain Billy]

Not right now, but in the future once I get the tank running properly I may. I've never fed my corals in any of my systems but I've always been able to achieve the color and growth I wanted without feeding.

 

[stunreefer Verified Sponsor]

Great systems :thumb:

Also changed out the heater for 2 new 300w via aqua's connected to my apex. I will probably still connect them to two Ranco controllers for additional security.

Highly recommend adding the Ranco (you can use a single dual stage for two heaters). Apex temp probes are garbage at best, IMHO.

I'm not sure if I will like the ESV or not, plus it seems difficult to get not to mention expensive. I just want to find a salt and stick with it, so disappointed in tropic marin after using it for so many years.

I suspect you'll love it, I sure do, and have for about three years now. Premium Aquatics consistently carries it, if you need additional help sourcing it let me know and I can contact Bob regarding who stocks it in your area.

 

[Captain Billy]

Thanks for the info! I do like the ESV, mixes nice and tests well. I have the process of mixing 40 gallon containers down to a science and can do it in about 5 minutes.

My smaller zoanthid nano which I do larger volume changes on has really responded to the ESV well.

I am going to get the Ranco for sure.

 

[stunreefer Verified Sponsor]

Awesome

I've performed 90%+ water changes on over decade old systems with ESV and instantly watched corals and fish respond positively, really a great product.

 

[skinz78]

Very nice, I love the nano too!

 

[Captain Billy]

Thanks!

I'll start a thread on the nano when I get a chance to get some good pics!

 

[Mike J.]

You've got tanks everywhere. Do you charge admission at your aquarium, I mean, house?

 

[Kworker]

One nice garage.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Awesome!