I own Reef2Reef and I am coming clean....

[skydancer]

As for the apex being a lifeline, no not really. We've been keeping reefs for a VERY long time successfully without the need for controllers. They are not a necessity, if anything, another tool on our already crowded toolbelt that has the potential to make things complicated.

Please don't tell me you still own a flip phone.

 

[Terence]

There is nothing wrong with the vortechs except turning them down if too much flow is a issue. No need to part with such a great product.

That was a semi-joke. Sorry it was maybe too subtle. The WAV are our product. I was trying unsuccessfully to add a bit of humor.

As for the apex being a lifeline, no not really. We've been keeping reefs for a VERY long time successfully without the need for controllers. They are not a necessity, if anything, another tool on our already crowded toolbelt that has the potential to make things complicated.

This is where I will try and make a point that is often lost. There is control, and there is monitoring. They are not the same. While many have kept reef aquariums for years, more people are doing it successfully than ever before (for many reasons but mostly an intersection of technology and information). And, fewer percentage than ever before are coming home from a vacation (or work) to a cooked aquarium or water everywhere - this is due to monitoring solutions on the market. You can drive a car just fine without temp gauge or a warning light too. But many an engine have been saved by knowing that your car is about to meltdown.

One key thing to remember is NOT to make so many changes at once. A lesson that has taken me some time to learn. Start small and give it some time in between. You'll get your tank back up to greatness soon enough.

This is great advice. I agree completely.

 

[gpwdr]

The definition of reef keeping insanity;

We pack a god-zillion amount of different kinds of corals in a glass box then wonder why they aren't growing.

This is what corals like;

Room to breathe.

 

[Reef Pets]

I couldn't imagine using all of the new gadgets on the market today.
Try going back to your old way of doing things. Ive been a vendor for about 12 years and a hobbyist for about 25 years and have not changed much through the years because it works. Stability is the goal!

Quality light
Sump with live rock
Good skimmer
Return pump
Circulating pumps
Kalk stirrer
Auto topoff

 

[acidtablockshifty]

It's that slight leak you pointed out in on of your videos, also my amphipods ate my bubble algae from the inside out if that can be of any help, but they were really big from going fallow i don't know if there's any left in that are still big, but i do see some rather large pod molts floating around still, maybe there is a few left. My new thing i'm planning on doing is lock tighting the calibration screw on my refractometer (although i'm not sure this is a good idea), i don't know how it gets so off, i treat it like it will save the planet one day. Also my corals are wicked easy to keep right now because i have none, but one day... one day my quarantine tank and hospital tank will be set up and cycled

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Thanks guys and gals for the pep talk and advice. I know how to keep alkalinity and calcium stable. I know how to have a tank without measurable phosphates and nitrates. I keep my parameters VERY stable including PH, temp, and salinity. There is something that I can't find! I am starting to believe there could possibly be something rusting in the tank.

 

[MrDJeep123]

Please don't tell me you still own a flip phone.

You'll be interested in knowing that I do not own a cell phone at all.

 

[Reef Pets]

Thanks guys and gals for the pep talk and advice. I know how to keep alkalinity and calcium stable. I know how to have a tank without measurable phosphates and nitrates. I keep my parameters VERY stable including PH, temp, and salinity. There is something that I can't find! I am starting to believe there could possibly be something rusting in the tank.

Maybe time to start ripping things apart. I've seen pumps cause a lot of damage and without taking it apart it would have never been known.

 

[Terence]

Thanks guys and gals for the pep talk and advice. I know how to keep alkalinity and calcium stable. I know how to have a tank without measurable phosphates and nitrates. I keep my parameters VERY stable including PH, temp, and salinity. There is something that I can't find! I am starting to believe there could possibly be something rusting in the tank.

That is why I said check everything - every pump, every magnet. Look for rust. Even the return pump - rule this out. It is also why I suggested Triton - if you are on point for all the measurable (from home) items, look elsewhere and eliminate that.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

That is why I said check everything - every pump, every magnet. Look for rust. Even the return pump - rule this out. It is also why I suggested Triton - if you are on point for all the measurable (from home) items, look elsewhere and eliminate that.

Yea I have a Magnavore Alage Magnet, and a couple Vortechs in the tank. That's the only metal items besides a brand new return pump, brand new skimmer pump, and new WAV pumps in the tank.

 

[Terence]

check them all, even the new stuff, and yes, even the WAV. Unless this was happening for months before their addition.

Vortechs have had issues before with magnets.

 

[TUSI]

stop beating yourself up. Do a triton test and move forward from there. If you have a rust issue your iron will be high and it's a better source for algae which you don't have. One thing that I notice in my tank which most people don't talk about is iodine, I find it that it makes a difference in my tank. The only thing is that you have to monitor it cause it can be toxic if you over dose. But again every tank is different. Everybody aims for low phosphates and nitrates and again it's not always good. My tank thrives on what I call acceptable phosphates and nitrates readings. Undetectable reading are not always acceptable for a tank.

 

[sawdonkey]

DON'T make me do it again..............argghhhhh you guys done it again with that simple and easy comment lol

How have I never seen this!!!!! That was really funny. The fact that he's smoking makes it even more hilarious.

 

[lexinverts]

.......My tank thrives on what I call acceptable phosphates and nitrates readings. Undetectable reading are not always acceptable for a tank.

Agreed.

 

[constantflow]

One thing that I notice in my tank which most people don't talk about is iodine, I find it that it makes a difference in my tank.

Uh oh... an iodine truther. Those certainly are few and far between.

Too bad we don't really know how to feed these corals better. This seems like the problem to me. Not enough DOM or something.

 

[Sabellafella]

check them all, even the new stuff, and yes, even the WAV. Unless this was happening for months before their addition.

Vortechs have had issues before with magnets.

Man i wish i could show u the last 2 vortechs i had, my tank had a coudy haze for almost 2 months untill i lifted one out for cleaning and poured about a cup of black into my tank, REV the thing about rust is all it really does is burn tips of acros nd stunt coral growth, if your icp checks out good i'd look into gac, ive seen zoa complete dominated tanks kill any lps or sps that came into contact

 

[Bruce Burnett]

I don't know my previous tanks ended up with hair algae eventually, was doing water changes, checking levels frequently was never able to keep polyps or much lps but sps did well. I think too much light. But everything did better when I did the least. Now I went bare bottom with GFO, carbon, pellets, calcium reactor and a way oversized skimmer, No chiller, no heater and have gone to Orphek led lighting. So far everything is doing well but has not been long. I feed heavy most days all my corals have good polyp extension and colors keep improving. I have massive water flow about 100 times tank volume and my euphyillias and Duncan's love it. But I am still leaving it alone as much as possible.

 

[coral tarracino]

Surprise, Surprise!

 

[Pfisherman]

All this speak of rust, yet GFO is spelled out granulated ferric oxide. Grains of iron rust that bind organic waste, pretty cool discovery that was likely accidental. That's a whole other topic though. Stop it.

I think to that you haven't enough poop or food in the water, though I too have been having problems that I just realized yesterday. I'm about to post a thread tomorrow about it, my corals have been growing rather slow I think and I'm wondering when should I turn up my lighting intensity.

 

[Trenton S.]

I've hidden it for far too long and today is the day I'm coming clean!

I'm supposed to know what I'm doing right? I am the owner of the GREATEST saltwater and reef aquarium forum in the world. I should have a great reef right? Well I don't and I don't know why!

I'm tried of dodging full tank shot requests and not posting photos of my tank. So today I'm coming clean.

I STINK AT THIS! I used to be a pretty good reef keeper but now I have no clue as to why I am having so much trouble keeping corals thriving in my tank. Back then I didn't have all the gadgets and all the knowledge but everything was so much easier. I shouldn't be having these problems.

1. I have one of the best skimmers.
2. I have one of the best lights.
3. I use one of the best salts.
4. I use RO/DI water.
5. I have an auto doser for ALK and CAL.
6. I have an Auto Top Off
7. I have great rock.
8. I have the best of Flow in my tank.
9. I have good heaters.
10. I have one of the best controllers.
11. I have one of the best reactors to run GFO.
12. I have one of the best sumps.
13. I have the best return pump.
14. I change water more frequently than in the past. (not that much still)
15. I have a forum and friends full of knowledge.

So why am I struggling to keep the easiest of corals alive? Please tell me. I'm ready to find out why!

Old tank in 2008 when I didn't have all the best stuff and could actually keep coral alive.

One of the most important things I've noticed about keeping a reef thus far is the balance of nutrients can be easily stripped with goodskimmer. Also RODI has only one obvious flaw being nutriant stripping. I'd say go back to the basics, if something isn't broke then why would you fix it? I know i'ts hard especially since I'm constantly trying to optimize my reef, as you currently have. Montipora seem to thrive even in cases of high bioload/ low waste removal tanks. You've kept beautiful displays in the past so I know you can have a successful future. Also the best product I swear by is reef plus, the vitamins and essential minerals seem to make everything resistant to dying -just a though. Best of luck to you!