Looks like you doing everything right. How are you dosing your calcium and alkalinity as well as topping off? You can't just dump 50 mls of calcium, it will precipitate and become useless you need to add it slowly. A dosing pump does this quite effectively, it adds it in increments slowly over time which is the most effective way to add 2 part.
Looking for a Reef Jedi.......
- Thread starter czoolander
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You absolutely NEED a way to measure calcium even if it isn't a top brand. Get a Salifert or API calcium test kit it is accurate for the most part and isn't to difficult to use like the Hanna calcium checker.
Are you using regular carbon or a phosphate absorbing one? Why are you changing your carbon every month? Usually fine to change it every 2-3 months.
0.00 phosphates doesn't sound right... What are you feeding? Sounds like you need to up on feeding to get those phosphates up. Your dosing of vibrant may be causing the phosphates to be so low. To my knowledge it contains bacteria that tends to break down the phosphates as well as algae. I would discontinue using it unless you have terrible algae outbreaks and up on feeding.
No need to add chaeto at the moment but always good to have on hand. Your vortech and Red Sea lighting schedules look good. With the flow make sure its random and chaotic. Low in some areas and strong in others, your mimicking the ocean.
Your doing pretty good my friend. With this information were going to get your tank doing well!
Nigel
LuizW13
Well-Known Member
idk man, conflicting information and answers is not the problem with this hobby specifically- that’s something present in all hobbies.
Just because there are multiple ways to lower nitrates, doesn’t mean they are conflicting. Same thing about weight loss; there’s multiple things you can do to achieve that goal.
I have to agree with the other poster, the problem is primarily the hobbyist who doesn’t have enough of an understanding about the biology and chemistry of the environment they’re building.
You can research infinitely about fitness and weight-loss and find completely different advices; but if you understood physiology, you would be able to raise an eyebrow and ignore certain statements and practices everytime you hear someone like Vince from Vshred talk.
For instance, why are you dosing calcium, if you you’re not testing for it? Why are dabbling into chaeto if your phosphate is 0? Why are running your skimmer 24/7 and dosing Vibrant if your phosphate is 0? My advice would be drop the books and sift through the forums and youtube for up to date advice and inspiration- after enough time, you’ll be able to filter out the nonsense with worthwhile information.
That being said, if you want, you can pay Abe from Coral Euphoria to consult you on your tank.
You can join live streams from Reef Dudes, and Reef Bum, Melevsreefs even Ricos Aquariums and drop questions in the chat and they’ll answer them live for you.
Good luck.
Remember my friend UNDERSTAND what are why you are doing things. Understand what a skimmer does, understand the relationships between parameters, understand what makes a coral a coral and what it need to survive and thrive. Knowledge when put to good use is an incredible powerful tool. Dosing this and that doesn't do you much good... You don't just dose calcium because reefers do it you dose calcium because it is essential to the growth of the "bones" of the coral. I would recommend going through some Bulk Reef Supply TV videos and understanding the fundamentals. You have all the equipment you just need to understand what it does and how you can use it to your advantage 
. I hope this helps.
Nigel
. I hope this helps.Nigel
OP
OP
czoolander
Well-Known Member
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Bluefish17
Community Member
Ignore zoa what.... hese just one salty hating dude ...hese mean and salty on everyone's post .
homer1475
Figuring out the hobby one coral at a time.
Ok lets begin here......
Pretty sure we mentor a lot of people right here on R2R. Official hand holding mentoring, no. But the wealth of knowledge thats obtained from reading some of the stickies is dang near the same thing.
I wish I had a reef club around. I used to belong to one in a city thats 200 miles drive one way, but it was too far a drive to be an active member. I did actually show up to help someone for pizza and beer(yet I don't drink).
While I usually like your tongue in cheek attitude, this is not one of those times when your wit is needed nor wanted. Little salty are we?
Seriously I've helped many people over the years for 0 payment, nothing, nada, zip, zero, zilch. Heck I have even driven 2 hours one way to help a fellow reefer that was moving and needed help. Had no idea who they were, just saw a message someone needed help, I had free time, so I went. Helped another fellow reefer get started, basically mentored them. Helped drill holes in their floor for remote sump, drilled their tank and installed a ghost overflow, did 99% of the plumbing into the remote sump, and even helped them for the first few months to get the hang of things. Went over nearly every day after work and wasted 30 minutes testing, and teaching.
But I am this way in life as well. If someone is in need, and I can help, I'm more then happy to help with 0 expectations of anything in return. People have way more time these days then many years ago. People just think they have no time because they are always with a screen in front of them. 90% of the time doing nothing but browsing youtube, instagram, facebook, etc, but to them, they are doing "stuff". God imagine if we had computers, and all these lazy people 100 years ago when we had to hunt and farm to feed ourselves. You know back when you couldn't run out to McDonalds for a cheeseburger. The human race would have died out by now.
You know thats how people are supposed to be, Help those in need for nothing expected in return. I do hope that some day when I need help, I can get it. Help those in need to hopefully get help one day when you need it.
OP if you wouldn't mind private messaging me, I would have 0 issues mentoring you. Just be aware, we all reef differently. The way I do things isn't the way someone else does things either.
For instance, the new trend is tropic marins all for reef, yet I prefer regular old cheap 2 part.
While I certainly have the money to spend, I still prefer to do certain things by hand as it gets me "in tune" with my reef. Once you learn the basics, and advance beyond the basics, you can almost look at your reef and decide if you need to intervene or not.
Pretty sure we mentor a lot of people right here on R2R. Official hand holding mentoring, no. But the wealth of knowledge thats obtained from reading some of the stickies is dang near the same thing.
I wish I had a reef club around. I used to belong to one in a city thats 200 miles drive one way, but it was too far a drive to be an active member. I did actually show up to help someone for pizza and beer(yet I don't drink).
While I usually like your tongue in cheek attitude, this is not one of those times when your wit is needed nor wanted. Little salty are we?
Seriously I've helped many people over the years for 0 payment, nothing, nada, zip, zero, zilch. Heck I have even driven 2 hours one way to help a fellow reefer that was moving and needed help. Had no idea who they were, just saw a message someone needed help, I had free time, so I went. Helped another fellow reefer get started, basically mentored them. Helped drill holes in their floor for remote sump, drilled their tank and installed a ghost overflow, did 99% of the plumbing into the remote sump, and even helped them for the first few months to get the hang of things. Went over nearly every day after work and wasted 30 minutes testing, and teaching.
But I am this way in life as well. If someone is in need, and I can help, I'm more then happy to help with 0 expectations of anything in return. People have way more time these days then many years ago. People just think they have no time because they are always with a screen in front of them. 90% of the time doing nothing but browsing youtube, instagram, facebook, etc, but to them, they are doing "stuff". God imagine if we had computers, and all these lazy people 100 years ago when we had to hunt and farm to feed ourselves. You know back when you couldn't run out to McDonalds for a cheeseburger. The human race would have died out by now.
You know thats how people are supposed to be, Help those in need for nothing expected in return. I do hope that some day when I need help, I can get it. Help those in need to hopefully get help one day when you need it.
Why can't he manually dose 50ml by hand? I get he needs test kits, but a dosing pump is certainly not needed. I have no idea how big of a tank he has, but there is no problem BOLUS dosing to raise levels within acceptable ranges(I would not go over 50ppm calcium, or 1DKH alkalinity in a single day). How do you think we used to do it? Heck even BRS recommends hand dosing at first till you get the hang of it.
OP if you wouldn't mind private messaging me, I would have 0 issues mentoring you. Just be aware, we all reef differently. The way I do things isn't the way someone else does things either.
For instance, the new trend is tropic marins all for reef, yet I prefer regular old cheap 2 part.
While I certainly have the money to spend, I still prefer to do certain things by hand as it gets me "in tune" with my reef. Once you learn the basics, and advance beyond the basics, you can almost look at your reef and decide if you need to intervene or not.
Koh23
Valuable Member
Too much information is way more dangerous than little or no information.....
Just look at stores, adds, so many products, so many options, and all of them are presented as mirracles in bottles, or in box, or whatever......
For begginer, it's nearly impossible to make a difference, to filter what he need now, what will he need one day, or dont need at all....
After many years in hobby i can honestly say that now i know far less than i used to know 10 years ago....
Sticking to basics is always good idea, no matter how tempting and promising is to dose, to use this or that product.
All u really need is saltwater....
Everything else is optional, and can and it will grow as you grow, learn new stuff and methods...
Its tempting to use quick fixes, and its very hard to keep it cool head, just let nature do its thing, been there many times, even now i caught myself trying to fix thing that are not broken, and of course, just making thing worse, but its all part of hobby.....
Best advice i got is - set up everything, run it, then back away from tank, and come back after 12-16 months.... Add some fish, add some corals along the way, clean glass, do water changes and nothing else.... You dont need fancy equipment, you dont have to dose, test, measure, and most of all, you dont need to correct anything.....
After first year, year and a half, then is the time to fine tune your tank, add more demanding life.....untill that is pointless... And yes, something will die, you will not have beautifull reef with gigantic colonies if corals, great coloration..... But you will have great starting point to achieve that, way quicker and with probably no problems at all, than forcing this from beginning.....
Hard to follow, but, good advice....
Just look at stores, adds, so many products, so many options, and all of them are presented as mirracles in bottles, or in box, or whatever......
For begginer, it's nearly impossible to make a difference, to filter what he need now, what will he need one day, or dont need at all....
After many years in hobby i can honestly say that now i know far less than i used to know 10 years ago....
Sticking to basics is always good idea, no matter how tempting and promising is to dose, to use this or that product.
All u really need is saltwater....
Everything else is optional, and can and it will grow as you grow, learn new stuff and methods...
Its tempting to use quick fixes, and its very hard to keep it cool head, just let nature do its thing, been there many times, even now i caught myself trying to fix thing that are not broken, and of course, just making thing worse, but its all part of hobby.....
Best advice i got is - set up everything, run it, then back away from tank, and come back after 12-16 months.... Add some fish, add some corals along the way, clean glass, do water changes and nothing else.... You dont need fancy equipment, you dont have to dose, test, measure, and most of all, you dont need to correct anything.....
After first year, year and a half, then is the time to fine tune your tank, add more demanding life.....untill that is pointless... And yes, something will die, you will not have beautifull reef with gigantic colonies if corals, great coloration..... But you will have great starting point to achieve that, way quicker and with probably no problems at all, than forcing this from beginning.....
Hard to follow, but, good advice....
ZoWhat
10K Club member
Officially scolded
Yeah, went a lil too far on sarcasm, sorry
My comments started as just a pedestrian comment and grew from there. My intentions were to never meant to hit a bunch of hot buttons.
I still believe in a situation like this:
Say you come out of a grocery store and a guy has a flat tire and needs help. I totally believe most ppl (including myself) would help. Bc its a small commitment of time and the dude needs help. I guaran-dang-tee you, you would survey the situation and in your head figure out how much of a time commitment you had to offer
But!!!! Say at the end of helping this guy for 10mins with a flat tire, he says, "Man, I really need for you to come help me with a 3hr brake job. I live just 5mins away. Meet you at my place? Will you follow me?"
I guaran - dang - tee you 99% of us would make up a lying excuse as to reasons why we couldn't go help him with a 3hr brake job just after helping him for 10mins
BOTTOMLINE: ppl don't have the time to help other ppl in depth UNLESS there's a benefit, cash, etc
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OP
czoolander
Well-Known Member
I’m guessing there probably is
Cool story bro ! Sorry your life is that terrible that this is the kind of whack response you come up with move it along troll your opinion means about as much to me as a used up bag of carbon
OP
OP
czoolander
Well-Known Member
How many people share and enjoy the " tire changing " hobby ? nobody . But you know what people do hang out and do together hobbies ...Officially scolded
Yeah, went a lil too far on sarcasm, sorry
My comments started as just a pedestrian comment and grew from there. My intentions were to never meant to hit a bunch of hot buttons.
I still believe in a situation like this:
Say you come out of a grocery store and a guy has a flat tire and needs help. I totally believe most ppl (including myself) would help. Bc its a small commitment of time and the dude needs help. I guaran-dang-tee you, you would survey the situation and in your head figure out how much of a time commitment you had to offer
But!!!! Say at the end of helping this guy for 10mins with a flat tire, he says, "Man, I really need for you to come help me with a 3hr brake job. I live just 5mins away. Meet you at my place? Will you follow me?"
I guaran - dang - tee you 99% of us would make up a lying excuse as to reasons why we couldn't go help him with a 3hr brake job just after helping him for 10mins
BOTTOMLINE: ppl don't have the time to help other ppl in depth UNLESS there's a benefit, cash, etc
Officially scolded
Yeah, went a lil too far on sarcasm, sorry
My comments started as just a pedestrian comment and grew from there. My intentions were to never meant to hit a bunch of hot buttons.
I still believe in a situation like this:
Say you come out of a grocery store and a guy has a flat tire and needs help. I totally believe most ppl (including myself) would help. Bc its a small commitment of time and the dude needs help. I guaran-dang-tee you, you would survey the situation and in your head figure out how much of a time commitment you had to offer
But!!!! Say at the end of helping this guy for 10mins with a flat tire, he says, "Man, I really need for you to come help me with a 3hr brake job. I live just 5mins away. Meet you at my place? Will you follow me?"
I guaran - dang - tee you 99% of us would make up a lying excuse as to reasons why we couldn't go help him with a 3hr brake job just after helping him for 10mins
BOTTOMLINE: ppl don't have the time to help other ppl in depth UNLESS there's a benefit, cash, etc
You probably never played a sport or had friends in your life so its ok ......... I get it .
But when people share a common interest lets use hockey for an example . They play on a team together . Hang out for beers after game . Before the game . Meet up on weekends watch hockey games cause guess what they share the same interest . Weird hey ? and nobody is " getting paid for their time"
If your just going to be a Larry then don't add to the post because your not really adding any benefit to the chat.
My original thought was that I am new to the hobby and was looking to see if there is local people that also enjoy the hobby with more knowledge that might see something I am missing . As hard as it is for you to believe fast forward 5 or 10 years and someone local wanted help I would go look at their tank and help them .
OP
OP
czoolander
Well-Known Member
That is a very good question and something for me to look into if the carbon is consuming my phosphate . I am using the Aquaclear activated Carbon .
I am feeding Nori pretty much daily. Pellets 10x15 at a time until they eat it in about 10 seconds I do 3 rounds of that . And then ill feed a cube of frozen Mysis when I come home from work. I don't typically what I consider heavy feeding but I have been trying to increase my phosphate with no luck so far
Thanks Nigel its good to actually receive positive and useful feedback
CanuckReefer
Simple...Salt, Water, LR, Lighting and Flow.
I think you will find a few local to assist...
Thread here with a few asking from a few years back.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/hello-fellow-canadians.574789/
As some described in that link there is a group called 'canreef' serving your neck of the woods. I won't link it , not sure if that's against the rules of crossing forums or not but a simple search with that and Vancouver in the title finds it.
Also I would personally re start a new thread here, and put in the Title ' Any Vancouver BC area reefers willing to help?' In the same reef discussion area. You should get a fair amount of responses back IMO. I have seen quite a few BC reefers on R2R over the last year.
Lastly...hockey. Let's hope things get tuned back up soon. I'm in no mood for a long stoppage again! Congrats on the Nuks new hires, things seem to be looking at least a bit better, than were at season start. Assuming you are a Nuks fan of course. No I'm not ( Pens guy here) , although people sometimes think so based on my handle lol.
Best of luck, hang in there and Happy Reefing!
Oh, and you can happily DM me as well if you like. Might take me a day or so to get back to you but perhaps I can help with one or two things, sometimes that's all it really takes. I'm not taking a flight to YVR though just to see your tank.
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czoolander
Well-Known Member
Yeah that is good advice I should have been more specific for Vancouver BC reefers .I think you will find a few local to assist...
Thread here with a few asking from a few years back.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/hello-fellow-canadians.574789/
As some described in that link there is a group called 'canreef' serving your neck of the woods. I won't link it , not sure if that's against the rules of crossing forums or not but a simple search with that and Vancouver in the title finds it.
Also I would personally re start a new thread here, and put in the Title ' Any Vancouver BC area reefers willing to help?' In the same reef discussion area. You should get a fair amount of responses back IMO. I have seen quite a few BC reefers on R2R over the last year.
Lastly...hockey. Let's hope things get tuned back up soon. I'm in no mood for a long stoppage again! Congrats on the Nuks new hires, things seem to be looking at least a bit better, than were at season start. Assuming you are a Nuks fan of course. No I'm not ( Pens guy here) , although people sometimes think so based on my handle lol.
Best of luck, hang in there and Happy Reefing!
Oh, and you can happily DM me as well if you like. Might take me a day or so to get back to you but perhaps I can help with one or two things, sometimes that's all it really takes. I'm not taking a flight to YVR though just to see your tank.
I think hockey will be up and running soon this variant has very mild symptoms on professional athletes . Believe it or not I am a Devils fan . short story version but my first jersey as a kid as a devils jersey my parents got me to stand out on the ice . When you learn to skate at 4 there is like 50 kids on the ice haha because every other kid had a canucks jersey. So I got to enjoy 3 cups in the 90s 20s
No worries on the flight that might be a bit excessive. I think I have got most of the answers I was looking for that my flow and lights seem good . My peramiters are in line besides calcium but I heard from a marine biologist that calcium at 517 isn't that big a concern it will be consumed by corals and lower over time .
I think I am going to send in my water to ICP and see if they can figure out where the true issue is .
Thanks man !
CanuckReefer
Simple...Salt, Water, LR, Lighting and Flow.
The Devils!!! Oh boy...they and the Pens have had some great battles over the years. Ya, both our teams have had some luck hoisting the silver over head.Yeah that is good advice I should have been more specific for Vancouver BC reefers .
I think hockey will be up and running soon this variant has very mild symptoms on professional athletes . Believe it or not I am a Devils fan . short story version but my first jersey as a kid as a devils jersey my parents got me to stand out on the ice . When you learn to skate at 4 there is like 50 kids on the ice haha because every other kid had a canucks jersey. So I got to enjoy 3 cups in the 90s 20s
No worries on the flight that might be a bit excessive. I think I have got most of the answers I was looking for that my flow and lights seem good . My peramiters are in line besides calcium but I heard from a marine biologist that calcium at 517 isn't that big a concern it will be consumed by corals and lower over time .
I think I am going to send in my water to ICP and see if they can figure out where the true issue is .
Thanks man !
Great idea on the ICP, and I tend to agree on the Calcium dissipating over time.
You are on your way...up from here!
