Looking for a mentor

[saullman]

Hi,
. I have had my tank setup for 1.5 years now, but I am still very much a novice. I have been dealing with many issues lately, mainly trying to get rid of my GHA problems. My hope in all of this is that I can find someone that has been in the hobby for a long time and has a good track record of keeping a successful reef tank. I already know it is not going to be an easy ride because I have a small tank (45 gal AIO).

So if anyone feels up to the challenge I would love to work closely with you to fix my tank problems, learn, and hopefully make a new friend in all of this. I think it is much easier to get advice from 1 experienced hobbyist vs going to various lfs to get conflicting information.

Thanks,

 

[Clinton]

Hey mate, GHA has been not a battle but a war for me. Solid husbandry is crucial. I'm probably not the best for advice, but before anyone gets started;

We know size and age
What are your parameter:
Ammonia
Nitrite
Nitrate
Phosphate
Temperature
Salinity
Livestock
Lighting schedule
Lighting source
Water changes (how often, how much)
Filter types
Sand bed
Rock source

And don't be shy, hit us with some pics!

On a side note with GHA expect a lot of manual labor. Doseing Vibrant did have noticeable effects for me. Physically removing as much as possible has been crucial.

 

[reacclimating 2 the hobby]

Agreed on the above post and I'm sure you will get some help here.

In most cases your tests will show good results because the GHA is consuming the nutrients.

In addition to above what are you doing for nutrient export? Feeding schedule/amount?

 

[Eagle_Steve]

Outside of the above list of tank setup and parameters, is there a local reef club around you? Local reef clubs can be a huge help, as most have gone through something and are local to you.

 

[ReeferReefer]

The other thing to consider when looking for a mentor is your goals. Are you trying for a SPS, LPS, Softie or Mixed reef?

 

[saullman]

Hey mate, GHA has been not a battle but a war for me. Solid husbandry is crucial. I'm probably not the best for advice, but before anyone gets started;

We know size and age
What are your parameter:
Ammonia
Nitrite
Nitrate
Phosphate
Temperature
Salinity
Livestock
Lighting schedule
Lighting source
Water changes (how often, how much)
Filter types
Sand bed
Rock source

And don't be shy, hit us with some pics!

On a side note with GHA expect a lot of manual labor. Doseing Vibrant did have noticeable effects for me. Physically removing as much as possible has been crucial.

Ammonia=0
Nitrite =0
Nitrate=0
Phosphate- just tested today=1
Temperature= 78.8
Salinity =1.025
Livestock= 6 line & firefish
Lighting schedule= I will follow up with a copy of my schedule
Lighting source= AI Prime HD
Water changes (how often, how much)= that's a loaded question. I was on a schedule of 10 gal every other week. Then I went to 2 different lfs and they both said the tank was too clean and told me to stop doing water changes temporarily. Just today when I tested for phosphates and it was high I was advised to do 3 gal wc every week until the phosphates come down.
Filter types= 1 sock on right and 1 filter pad on left
Sand bed= crushed coral
Rock source= life rock from WWC

 

[saullman]

Agreed on the above post and I'm sure you will get some help here.

In most cases your tests will show good results because the GHA is consuming the nutrients.

In addition to above what are you doing for nutrient export? Feeding schedule/amount?

I was doing water changes every other week of 10 gal. Then I was told my water was too clean and to stop doing them so I stopped for about 1 month but just today my phosphates tested high so I was told to do smaller (3 gal) wc every week.

The lfs also told me to turn off my skimmer and turn up my flow (MP10) which I did.

Just yesterday I scrubbed the tank with a toothbrush and blew off the rocks with a turkey baster. Then I siphoned tank water through a sock before putting it back into the tank. The tank looks ok right now but this is what it looked like a few weeks ago.

 

[reacclimating 2 the hobby]

I'm not sure how asking how often and how big your WC's are is a loaded question.

Your water is testing "too clean" because the algae is consuming the nutrients. I'd continue with manual removal and pick up a CUC while waiting for someone to accept the mentor position. May even start looking into an herbivorous fish.

 

[saullman]

Outside of the above list of tank setup and parameters, is there a local reef club around you? Local reef clubs can be a huge help, as most have gone through something and are local to you.

Not that I found. I live very rural (near Winter Haven, FL). The closest one to me is probably 2 hours away.

 

[saullman]

The other thing to consider when looking for a mentor is your goals. Are you trying for a SPS, LPS, Softie or Mixed reef?

Yes, right now I only have about 6 or 7 corals. LPS and softies. I am not interested in SPS right now. I can hardly take care of the corals I currently have.

 

[Fiesty]

Not sure if i missed it? What is your source water that u use to make your saltwater? U are using RODI water, correct?

 

[saullman]

Not sure if i missed it? What is your source water that u use to make your saltwater? U are using RODI water, correct?

I believe so. I am buying all of my water from my lfs. I would "assume" they are using RODI which leads me to my next question:
What is the difference between RO and RODI water?

I want to buy a TDS meter to monitor what is going into my tank. I am also going to test my saltwater with a refractometer before doing a wc. Right now my salinity is at 1.025

 

[HarryC]

I'm also a beginner, but can offer my limited experience with GHA. We had a decent outbreak on live-rock when our tank was about 5 months old. Mine was also due to high phosphates, likely from my tendency to overfeed. I removed all algae I could by hand, and added 20 dwarf blue leg hermits, a small HOB fuge with chaeto/marinepure balls, as well as a reactor with chemipure blue. Got lucky and got a Stomatella Snail as a hitchiker right around this time as well. This happened beginning of March.. since we have only seen a few small tufts of green hair, and its immediately mowed down by my hermit crabs, Mollie, or snails. My rock is encrusted with green coralline, and it's seen a 15-20% increase of red and pink corraline in these last few months as well. I change out 10 gallons bi-weekly on my 30 gallon tank. I was told by my mentor that since I'm not dosing yet this would be the best way to ensure my much loved inverts have plenty of trace elements to make it through their molts. I'm sure there are many correct ways to solve the GHA problem. For our dirty softy/lps tank it was heavy CUC and nutrient export. If I had a really bad problem and the ability to control spectrum like that I'd ditch the cool white. Good luck and happy reefin

 

[Fiesty]

I believe so. I am buying all of my water from my lfs. I would "assume" they are using RODI which leads me to my next question:
What is the difference between RO and RODI water

I want to buy a TDS meter to monitor what is going into my tank. I am also going to test my saltwater with a refractometer before doing a wc. Right now my salinity is at 1.025

Id suggest a quick google search or search here for the explanation of RO (reverse osmosis) and RODI (reverse osmosis + Deionization). Id try to explain it but prob just end up confusing u.

A TDS meter is a great idea if u going to mix your own salt but it can only be used to test the fresh water before salt is added. Otherwise it will be reading all the salt mix in the water and results wont tell u how pure the origional source water is.

Also, NEVER assume anything in this hobby. Lol. Especially when u are relying on other people and the water quality for your tank. Bad water source can cause so many problems in this hobby and so easy to fix by getting your own rodi syatem or at least check on the one being used for your water.

 

[Fiesty]

Have u read through this thread? Some of the advice my be of help to you.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/bored-how-about-mentoring-a-newbie.624134/page-19#post-6254803

 

[saullman]

Have u read through this thread? Some of the advice my be of help to you.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/bored-how-about-mentoring-a-newbie.624134/page-19#post-6254803

Yes, I read the entire thread last night which is what made me think that a mentor would be very beneficial for me.