Mattgsa 315 gallon build

Cassklar · Nov 17, 2021

If you don’t mind me asking I’m setting up a similar size tank 300 gallons plus sump what return pump are you using on this tank? Thanks

mattgsa · Nov 18, 2021

ScottB said:
Do the branches have a fern like structure to them?

yes, I went to the reef cleaner site and compared it to the different types of algae.

mattgsa · Nov 18, 2021

Cassklar said:
If you don’t mind me asking I’m setting up a similar size tank 300 gallons plus sump what return pump are you using on this tank? Thanks

I use this one

Red Dragon 3 Speedy Pump 230 Watt (6340 GPH)

Powerful, reliable, and incredibly quiet. Red Dragon pumps set a standard that few can compete with. Red Dragon produces high performance aquarium pumps for closed loop or return pump applications. They have earned a repuation for being some of the quietest, most powerful, and most solidly...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

mattgsa · Nov 19, 2021

I finally got the calcium reactor working and back online. I'm doing 3 ml/min until I see how high the alk gets in the reactor; shortly after starting it, the alk went to 46 in the reactor. I don't want a large swing. I upped the testing on the trident so I can keep an eye on the tank.
I also tested phosphates, and according to Hanna, they are at zero. However, all the corals are looking great, and I have to clean the glass regularly. I did, however, add some coral food to make sure that everyone has something to eat. I'm also assuming that since the calcium reactor is back online, the ARM media in the reactor will start adding phosphates back to the system.

mattgsa · Nov 22, 2021

Alright, I was working more on the Calcium reactor. I got wires cleaned up and put some waterproof connectors in. Then I noticed that the Kamore pump was leaking right at the connections.

So I went on the web and found a post right here on R2R that said to use smaller air tubing. I then recalled getting some tubing with my DOS. I went over and compared the two, and the Neptune tub was definitely smaller, and it fits perfectly in a push-to-connect fitting. So I switched it out, and the leak stopped.

The only problem was air bubbles kept forming the lines, so I put some zip ties on the connectors but that didn't seem to fix it either.

As you can see there are still bubbles. However, the tank is still getting the calcium and alkalinity that it needs, so I'm not going to worry about it.

mattgsa · Nov 22, 2021

In addition, my tank keeps tripping the breaker, and the breaker is warm to the touch. So I have a call into an electrician to run two dedicated 20 AMP circuits from the main outside panel. I'm going to have him install a sub-panel just for the tank. That way it is easy for me to get to, and if something happens while I'm away, I can easily tell someone how to cut power or restore it. I just hope that he calls me back.

ScottB · Nov 23, 2021

mattgsa said:
In addition, my tank keeps tripping the breaker, and the breaker is warm to the touch. So I have a call into an electrician to run two dedicated 20 AMP circuits from the main outside panel. I'm going to have him install a sub-panel just for the tank. That way it is easy for me to get to, and if something happens while I'm away, I can easily tell someone how to cut power or restore it. I just hope that he calls me back.

Good luck getting an electrician to show. I was trying to get a car charger installed last summer. Of the three places I called, the best I could get was 45 days out.

mattgsa · Nov 23, 2021

ScottB said:
Good luck getting an electrician to show. I was trying to get a car charger installed last summer. Of the three places I called, the best I could get was 45 days out.

Well, I'm friends with one of his largest customers. I'm hoping I can prod him along.

mattgsa · Dec 1, 2021

mattgsa said:
After doing a little more research, I think the algae is actually bryopsis, I think I'm going to try reef flux.

Alright so I ordered,

I dosed all 4000 mg into the tank since it is for treating 200 gallons, and I have a 300-gallon tank. I wanted to make sure I didn't overdose. It's been over 48 hours and I have not seen any changes. The site says to allow up to 14 days to work. So I will keep waiting.

ScottB · Dec 1, 2021

Keep a sharp eye on your SPS. There is an edge case with Fluconazole where it can really do a number quick. Vast majority does fine though.

mattgsa · Dec 1, 2021

ScottB said:
Keep a sharp eye on your SPS. There is an edge case with Fluconazole where it can really do a number quick. Vast majority does fine though.

I have been keeping a close eye on the corals. Its also the reason I purposely underdosed the tank.

mattgsa · Dec 1, 2021

When I checked on the corals today I noticed one of the frags of ORA Bellinia is starting to show some STN. So I tested all the parameters, they were all fine except nitrates were down to five, and salinity says it around 37. I'm not sure why salinity is up but I will bring it back down slowly. However, I did dose more nitrates, I like to keep them about 20. I'm going to take it slow I have two frags of the ORA and the other one is doing fine, perhaps a little pale in spots but I think that is due to low nutrients. All other corals are doing great.

I also ordered Tropic Marins High Precision Hydrometer. My digital refractometer is giving a lot of conflicting numbers. I want to make sure I get it correct.

mrbh22 · Dec 1, 2021

The Hannah salinity checker is awesome! I couldn’t recommend it more

mattgsa · Dec 1, 2021

mrbh22 said:
The Hannah salinity checker is awesome! I couldn’t recommend it more

You are not the first person that has recommended the Hanna, I may have to order one from BRS.

ScottB · Dec 2, 2021

mattgsa said:
You are not the first person that has recommended the Hanna, I may have to order one from BRS.

I am a huge fan of the VeeGee refractometer. Not cheap but super reliable.

mattgsa · Dec 2, 2021

Well the STN turned into RTN, however all the other corals are doing fine.

mattgsa · Dec 3, 2021

Well, the other piece of Bellinia started to RTN, but then stopped, and now that the nitrates are back up, the part that is remaining is looking good. I have started dosing nitrates again.
On another positive note, the Fluconazole that I put in the tank is finally starting to show. The algae is starting to turn white.

mattgsa · Dec 4, 2021

mattgsa said:
Well, the other piece of Bellinia started to RTN, but then stopped, and now that the nitrates are back up, the part that is remaining is looking good. I have started dosing nitrates again.
On another positive note, the Fluconazole that I put in the tank is finally starting to show. The algae is starting to turn white.

I was over-optimistic. I took the white skeleton out this morning. However, all the other corals are looking good. Right now I'm just thinking the tank needs some more maturing, or there is something that I'm overlooking.
Well, the good news is when the calcium reactor needs more media I will be able to fill it with all the corals I'm taking out of the tank.

mattgsa · Dec 8, 2021

Alright, so I'm wondering how much flow is too much flow. I have two Gyre's 350 running at 90% and two Nero 5's running at 100%. I wondering if I have too much flow in the tank.

mattgsa · Dec 14, 2021

Not much of an update; the tank is just cruising along. The other day I tested phosphates, and they were at .24, which is a lot higher than I would like them. So after getting some help checking math. I dosed 3.9 MLS of Phospate-e, and today the phosphate was at .17. So I dosed another 3.9 MLS of Phosphate-E. I want to get it down below .1. Now that I'm writing this, I'm now worried I moved too fast. I hope that it does not backfire on me. I think I have my Nitrate dosing dialed in, and they seem to be holding steady.

I also got this.

It's in the zone, and I'm not going to be chasing numbers to the nth degree.
Also, the fluconazole seemed to have worked, all the hair algae is gone. I have started the auto water change again, and put some ROX back in the system.