Mattgsa 315 gallon build

[mattgsa]

Please test your magnesium level first. Without magnesium calcium and alk will precipitate out of solution. Also there is a see=saw effect between calcium and alkalinity. If one is high the other will be low. Try reducing your calcium level and see if that helps your alk level to increase.

I found my Mag test today, I will try and get one done tomorrow.

 

[mattgsa]

Please test your magnesium level first. Without magnesium calcium and alk will precipitate out of solution. Also there is a see=saw effect between calcium and alkalinity. If one is high the other will be low. Try reducing your calcium level and see if that helps your alk level to increase.

I tested the magnesium to day, its at 1440. The alk is a starting to stabilize. I cleaned and re calibrated my ph prob, my rang is now between 7.67 and 7.95. I was hoping it would come up to 8 but that's alright, when I get the kalk reactor in place it will take care of that for me. Just looking at the tank to day, it seems a lot more mature. I hoping it is getting close to growing corals.

 

[mattgsa]

I have not posted pics in a while.

 

[Janci]

Every time I see that full tank shot, I am amazed by the amount of light.
I hope the tank will soon find his sweet and stable spot.

 

[mattgsa]

Every time I see that full tank shot, I am amazed by the amount of light.
I hope the tank will soon find his sweet and stable spot.

Thanks

 

[GBRsouth]

The rock looks to be maturing nicely.

 

[mattgsa]

The rock looks to be maturing nicely.

I'm just hoping it is ready for corals. I'm going on Saturday to pick up some corals from @FarmerTy.

 

[mattgsa]

I come to the conclusion that Tropic Marin is leaving the residue in the mixing container. The only reason I use TM is that I thought it was free of the nasty residue, so now I'm thinking about switching to reef crystals.

 

[GBRsouth]

I'd clean the bin out a few times over the next couple of months first and see if things clear up before making that decision.

 

[mattgsa]

I'd clean the bin out a few times over the next couple of months first and see if things clear up before making that decision.

I was researching it today, and I saw where other people who have been in the hobby for 30+ years were having the same problem with TM. I don't see the point in paying double the price for it just to have the same problem. In fact several them stated in their experience RC is cleaner. I already took that container out cleaned it thoroughly and then just used TM, and the residue is back again, after one bucket. I think i'm going to be stuck with the nasty residue no matter what, so I'm going to put a filter on my feed line to the tank. So hopefully it will take out all the brown stuff before it gets into the tank.

On a seperate note, for some reason my phosphates are back at 0. I feed really heavy, no GFO, no refugium, and I only clean out filter socks once every couple of weeks. In my mind my phosphates should be really high. I guess i need to put my skimmer on a schedule.

 

[mattgsa]

New tank boss possibly. The Achillies for the most part keeps his distance. He tried a couple of attempts but I think the purple tang put him in his place.

He came in a little smaller than I thought he would, but he hangs out near the purple tang. I'm guessing for protection.

I also put the mirror back up to help distract the other fish.

 

[GBRsouth]

On a seperate note, for some reason my phosphates are back at 0. I feed really heavy, no GFO, no refugium, and I only clean out filter socks once every couple of weeks. In my mind my phosphates should be really high. I guess i need to put my skimmer on a schedule.

I'm guessing your newish rocks are absorbing phosphate. Once they reach full load you'll probably start seeing readings again.

 

[mattgsa]

Well I got three new corals in the tank, and my new Sail fin tang decided to take a bite of glue. I tried everything i could think of to catch him but was unsuccessful. I just hope he is able to work it out.

 

[mattgsa]

Well I got three new corals in the tank, and my new Sail fin tang decided to take a bite of glue. I tried everything i could think of to catch him but was unsuccessful. I just hope he is able to work it out.

Good news, the fish already got the glue out its mouth and is eating as normal.

 

[mattgsa]

Today for the first time ever, i put in nori as I normally do. I was expecting the fish to ignore it, but the didn't I had a feeding frenzy. They have never shown that much interest in the nori.
Yesterday I dosed 15ml of NeoPhos since the tank tested at zero. that brought it up to .05. I tested again today and it was back at 0. So I dosed it again. I also ordered some ChemiClean. I'm hoping it really cleans up the tank. I promise one of these day's I will post a picture of the new coral. I'm sorry I keep forgetting to take the pictures.

 

[mattgsa]

I'm having to dose phosphate every day. Every afternoon I test and the level is at 0, and then I dose to bring it up to .05 - .06, and the next day it's back at 0. I'm about to set it up on a DOS.

 

[GBRsouth]

If you do that, make sure you continue regular testing. Because at some point, the level in the rock will saturate and then your available level will suddenly shoot up quickly. It could end up quickly rising in availability in the water and then you'll be swamped in gha.

 

[mattgsa]

If you do that, make sure you continue regular testing. Because at some point, the level in the rock will saturate and then your available level will suddenly shoot up quickly. It could end up quickly rising in availability in the water and then you'll be swamped in gha.

If my tank doesn't have GHA I don't know how I would recognize it. LOL

 

[GBRsouth]

I mean keep on testing the phosphate level to be sure it doesn't go sky high before you notice it rising.

 

[mattgsa]

I mean keep on testing the phosphate level to be sure it doesn't go sky high before you notice it rising.

I was just messing around, I appreciate the advice.