Help with balance

ATCReefer · Jan 24, 2023

Hello,

I am curious if there are any tips to what ratios I should look to maintain my parameters at. So far I feel they are in range but I seem to have cyano and a little dinos mixed in. Just trying to find that ideal spot, maybe biodiversity, just not sure why I am having these algae problems.

parameters below ranges from Jan 5
Nitrate 3.7–7
PO4 .03—.08
Salinity 1.025
Temp 78
Dkh 8.8–9.2
Cal 435–450
Mag 1300

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Jan 24, 2023

The conditions that are good for coral growth are also good for algae growth. You're not going to be able to avoid algae.
How old is your system, what algaevores do you have, and what is your lighting situation?

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Jan 24, 2023

Tank looks beautiful from here

Lavey29 · Jan 24, 2023

How old is the tank?

ATCReefer · Jan 25, 2023

Erin1971Texas said:
Tank looks beautiful from here

Thank you but only because post water change, and I might be lacking in that algevore department as I have 6 assorted snails, emerald crab, conch and convict tang. I lost a lot of snails to hermits awhile back and never replaced. As for age of tank it’s just over 2 years. Had many ups and downs. My rocks seem to be relatively clean except a few spots cyano will grow, but the sand it will be fully cover in 4 days. ASL for lights I run 2 Prime HD and recently added a 12” ai blade grow to try and get better numbers for sps which I can easily hit over 300 par if I would like.

ATCReefer · Jan 25, 2023

Lavey29 said:
How old is the tank?

2 years

jabberwock · Jan 25, 2023

What type of rock did you start with?

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Jan 25, 2023

ATCReefer said:
Thank you but only because post water change, and I might be lacking in that algevore department as I have 6 assorted snails, emerald crab, conch and convict tang. I lost a lot of snails to hermits awhile back and never replaced. As for age of tank it’s just over 2 years. Had many ups and downs. My rocks seem to be relatively clean except a few spots cyano will grow, but the sand it will be fully cover in 4 days. ASL for lights I run 2 Prime HD and recently added a 12” ai blade grow to try and get better numbers for sps which I can easily hit over 300 par if I would like.

Definitely need to up your snail game! Get some ceriths, Mexican turbos, and trochus. They will make a big difference!

ATCReefer · Jan 25, 2023

Erin1971Texas said:
Definitely need to up your snail game! Get some ceriths, Mexican turbos, and trochus. They will make a big difference!

Order a few, just waiting on delivery, feel like this maybe some of my problem

ATCReefer · Jan 25, 2023

jabberwock said:
What type of rock did you start with?

Marco dry

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Jan 25, 2023

ATCReefer said:
Order a few, just waiting on delivery, feel like this maybe some of my problem

Also consider adding a bottle or 2 of pods..
How big is your tank?

ATCReefer · Jan 25, 2023

Erin1971Texas said:
Also consider adding a bottle or 2 if pods..
How big is your tank?

I add pods once a month but since Dino I think it’s been killing them, and 40 breeder with 20 long sump

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 25, 2023

The posted parameters seem fine and I'd focus on actual values, not ratios between them.

ATCReefer · Jan 27, 2023

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
The posted parameters seem fine and I'd focus on actual values, not ratios between them.

Is there a range I’m trying to shoot for

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 28, 2023

ATCReefer said:
Is there a range I’m trying to shoot for

Everyone has their own opinions on targets, but here's mine:

Optimal Parameters for a Coral Reef Aquarium: By Randy Holmes-Farley

[note: edited on 5/29/2022 to update the nitrate and phosphate sections with higher recommended levels.] One of the main roles of an aquarist with a coral reef aquarium is to ensure that the conditions are right for their tank inhabitants. There are many different attributes of the aquarium...

www.reef2reef.com

kevgib67 · Jan 28, 2023

Your tank looks great and parameters look spot on. As mentioned before, algae will always pop up when it is not out competed. I would also consider adding a tuxedo urchin to your cuc list.

ATCReefer · Jan 28, 2023

kevgib67 said:
Your tank looks great and parameters look spot on. As mentioned before, algae will always pop up when it is not out competed. I would also consider adding a tuxedo urchin to your cuc list.

Thank you for the advice, are urchins difficult to have?

kevgib67 · Jan 28, 2023

No pretty self sufficient, just mow down algae all the time. Minor drawbacks, occasionally pick up a frag to use as camouflage and take it around the tank. I just pick it off and glue it back down. Also they do eat coralline algae. Benefits outway the negatives.