IM Nuvo 40 Tank Parameters

[IAReefer]

I set up this tank around Valentine’s Day 2019. Cycled with dry rock, Dr. Tim’s and Ammonia, and started slowly adding things mid April. I just began dosing Red Sea Ca & Kh. I just wanted to see if I’m on the right track with it. About a month ago, I made a small chaeto fuge in chamber 1, with a ChaetoMax Led to help reduce nitrates. Growing some, not taking off yet. Have 3 Marine Pure blocks, filter floss and Chemi Pure Elite. Display light is Kessil a360we Tuna Blue.

12/9/19-
N03- 17.5
P04- 0
Ca- 450. Dosed 23ml Ca to match Alk
Alk 7dkh. Dosed 23ml alk to bring up to 9dkh.
Temp- 78
Didn’t measure or dose Mg

12/13/19
N03- 25
P04- .03
Ca- 450. Dosed 8ml Ca to match Alk
Alk- 8.4 dkh. Dosed 8ml Alk to bring to 9 dkh.
Mg- 1400
Temp- 78

 

[Spare time]

Looks fine to me. I like to have my alk higher as you may get faster coral growth.

 

[Auquanut]

sounds like you're on the right track. Now it's all about stability. So lets see a picture.

 

[Daniel92481]

How soon did you add the chemi pure elite? What are your phosphate readings normally, while using it?

 

[45ZoaGarden]

Looks fine. Phosphate is bit low for a mixed reef though. I keep mine around .1

 

[IAReefer]

sounds like you're on the right track. Now it's all about stability. So lets see a picture.

 

[IAReefer]

How soon did you add the chemi pure elite? What are your phosphate readings normally, while using it?

Started at about 5-6 months, so around July/August. My LFS advises it because I had a GHA outbreak. My P04 has always read 0-.03ish. Nitrates have always been somewhat high, lately averaging 20-50. I started a small fuge to try and naturally reduce them. Any advice welcome!

 

[Daniel92481]

How often do you do water changes? I believe your nitrates should come down naturally with weekly changes. Is that a Nuvo 40? Nice tank!

 

[Daniel92481]

Sorry, I just learned how to read today. I see you have the 40.

 

[IAReefer]

How often do you do water changes? I believe your nitrates should come down naturally with weekly changes. Is that a Nuvo 40? Nice tank!

Thanks! It’s 40g total, actual is only about 30g. I have been changing 10g/week for the last couple months to try and bring the N03 down. I feed frozen LRS Reef Frenzy, once/day, about a nickel size piece. Also feed 1/8tsp of Benereef once/week before water change. I have 5 fish, 2 paired black ice clowns, 1 blue damsel, 1 royal Gramma & 1 6 Line Wrasse. Some snails and a couple hermits.

 

[King Turkey]

nice looks great!

 

[Daniel92481]

Thanks! It’s 40g total, actual is only about 30g. I have been changing 10g/week for the last couple months to try and bring the N03 down. I feed frozen LRS Reef Frenzy, once/day, about a nickel size piece. Also feed 1/8tsp of Benereef once/week before water change. I have 5 fish, 2 paired black ice clowns, 1 blue damsel, 1 royal Gramma & 1 6 Line Wrasse. Some snails and a couple hermits.

Sounds good. I have the same tank setup, only a few months behind you. I’ve been wanting to start some chemi pure blue nano packs, or the elite for my tank, but I’ve been holding off because my phosphates aren’t an issue as of yet. I’m at the 0.03-0.09 range using Hanna.

 

[Spare time]

Sounds good. I have the same tank setup, only a few months behind you. I’ve been wanting to start some chemi pure blue nano packs, or the elite for my tank, but I’ve been holding off because my phosphates aren’t an issue as of yet. I’m at the 0.03-0.09 range using Hanna.

I personally keep as low as possible since there is always a constant supply in my tank from broken down food (and food directly) since I feed my corals once a day and fish twice a day. Plus I find it easier to keep it low and just supplement with coral food than chasing a target number or worse having it higher and have algae problems.

 

[45ZoaGarden]

.03 is danger close to the no no zone though....

 

[Spare time]

.03 is danger close to the no no zone though....

I agree it is pretty low but as long as there is a constant or at least decently constant supply it shouldn't be a biggie. However if you are very strict with feeding or do not feed corals then yeah I would probably raise it just a little. I've just found at the shop I work at that people have more difficulty when trying to get specific numbers rather than just keeping a general low number and working around that.

 

[IAReefer]

.03 is danger close to the no no zone though....

Wonder if I should switch from the Chemi Pure Elite to just running carbon without the added GFO to bring up the P04 some?

 

[Daniel92481]

Acceptable reef phosphate levels are one of the topics that will get you a 100 different answers, if you were to ask. One level we can all appropriately agree that it should never be at is 0.

 

[IAReefer]

Acceptable reef phosphate levels are one of the topics that will get you a 100 different answers, if you were to ask. One level we can all appropriately agree that it should never be at is 0.

My P04 test is Salifert, and it’s almost impossible for me to even differentiate between 0 & .03 etc. I just know it’s low, near zero. I feed corals and fish, so should have a “normal” amount. I’ll switch to carbon only and see how that goes!

 

[Daniel92481]

Yea, I would look at picking up a Hanna checker for phosphates. Get the ULR phosphate one. I believe it’s the 1774 model number. No calculations needed, just a simple readout.