Need advice on a few tweaks with my reef

[msujohn]

I have a 6 year old 90 gallon mixed reef. I have no problems keeping RBTA's(has split 5 times), Duncan's, Frogspawn, Elegance, Montipora's, and candy cane coral's (they all grow and prosper). My Zoa's never seem to take off - they don't die just don't seem to get much growth at all. I have also never been able to grow Chaeto. I used the typical home depot clamp light (that many on here have used). I do run both Carbon/GFO (really worry about chemical warfare - carbon and like to keep nitrates in control - GFO) and carbon dose (Vinegar). I would like to be able to grow Chaeto to get a good pod population. So couple of questions;
- Can I grow Chaeto with carbon/GFO? What else can I do to make this work?
- What can I do to help my Zoa's grow?

My parameters seem to be in check: ALK - 7.7, Cal - 440, Mag 1450. Nitrates - 5ish, Phos - tough to detect.

 

[Cell]

Zoas like dirty water. Maybe raise nitrates a bit?

 

[SDK]

GFO use to the point of undetectable PO4 is the most likely culprit for both issues.

 

[msujohn]

GFO use to the point of undetectable PO4 is the most likely culprit for both issues.

The main reason that I have keep using GFO is that for the past few months that I have been getting some diatoms/algae growth on my sandbed? Haven't had anything like that since my tank cycled years ago. Should I just take GFO off line, should I stop dosing vinegar? Hate to make major changes.

 

[Fishy212]

You can certainly run both GFO and Chaeto... but you need to be able to find the sweet spot to balance them. You cant have your levels bottoming out. This may take a few weeks and a couple rounds of testing to understand your nutrient import and export levels.

 

[msujohn]

The only reason that I was thinking of trying Chaeto again is to get a pod population going - better diversity. I can't seem to keep pods either in my system. (not sure if my Melanarus would just wipe out the population or not).

But, I have learned not to make quick major changes. I will try a few things slowly to see what happens.

 

[SDK]

Agree with above. Slow adjustments and test test test until you stabilize PO4 at a low level. Take your time as there is no emergency at this point. If it was my tank, I would start by gradually lowering GFO volume and leave everything else the same for now.

Also, sometimes with a mixed reef it can be challenging to keep everything happy. I run a fairly low nutrient tank and my LPS do better than my Zoas. They are all healthy but growth is very slow. I'm actually fine with that

 

[msujohn]

Agree with above. Slow adjustments and test test test until you stabilize PO4 at a low level. Take your time as there is no emergency at this point. If it was my tank, I would start by gradually lowering GFO volume and leave everything else the same for now.

Also, sometimes with a mixed reef it can be challenging to keep everything happy. I run a fairly low nutrient tank and my LPS do better than my Zoas. They are all healthy but growth is very slow. I'm actually fine with that

Honestly, I am fine with my tank as well. But, with this stay at home for the past few months - I have more time looking at the tank that usual. Just need to decide if it's worth it in the long run.

It just very strange that the past few months, I am starting to see more algae/diatoms on sandbed and glass. I was thinking I needed to up my GFO and/or carbon dosing.

 

[Fishy212]

Honestly, I am fine with my tank as well. But, with this stay at home for the past few months - I have more time looking at the tank that usual. Just need to decide if it's worth it in the long run.

It just very strange that the past few months, I am starting to see more algae/diatoms on sandbed and glass. I was thinking I needed to up my GFO and/or carbon dosing.

You can try increasing the flow by adding another powerhead or reduce your feedings until your algae is under control. You can play around with your levels and fine tune it to your needs.

 

[SDK]

How is your CUC?

I've had that happen in older tanks, only to realize that my snails dwindled down over time without me noticing. A care package from Reef Cleaners might be another early thing to try...

 

[msujohn]

How is your CUC?

I've had that happen in older tanks, only to realize that my snails dwindled down over time without me noticing. A care package from Reef Cleaners might be another early thing to try...

I definitely need to replenish my snails. Waiting until some Trochus snails come back in and I will place an order with Reef Cleaners.

 

[dank reefer]

If you're willing to give it try, but remove your filter socks for 1 month and see if your chaeto grows. Chaeto needs the nutrients you are export out with your carbon reactor i suspect.

But by removing the filter socks your able to give it all the food that flows down to your sump, and allow it to get a hold of fish poop as well.