Need some advice from successful long term acropora keepers

[Jimmyneptune]

My current tank a 92gal Cad Lights has been running for almost 2 years, have recently been changing it to an acropora and branching montipora system only. I have great succes growing Acro's and Montis, well everything for that matter but was wondering what if anything in my routine i should change for an acro, branching monti tank. I currently dose everything manually, i have many fish which get some Hikari marine A and seaweed extreme pellets along with 8 cubes of frozen food daily. I have a Vertex skimmer in my sump along with a bag of carbon and a bag of phosgaurd. Twice a week i dose some reef energy A and B. 2 or 3 times a week i add some drops of Kent marine phytoplex and chromaplex. Thats about all that goes in the tank. I change 20 gallons of water every couple months i use Red sea pro salt.
Im sure ive missed some questions people might have. Looking to find out if i could do anything better for an Acro and branching Monti tank only. Thanks for any advice

Your system sounds great curious about learning your nutrient control.
do you use filter socks?
Do you have a refugium for algae?
Do you use biopellets or other nitrate remover?

 

[HB AL]

I'm still amazed with the amount of fish and food going in that your live rock is handeling the nutrients. If I were to give you more advise, you should monitor your major element at least once per week (alk, ca and mg). And nitrate and phospates at least once per week. When things go bad they usually do it fast and don't want to wait a month to find out. Also as I mentioned, with only every other month water change I would start adding balanced micro elements. A water test through triton is $50 and will tell you how your water is doing. My corals changed quite a bit when I started a 2 part with micro elements included. I also only do a water change once a month but I also dose vinegar to keep an ULNS.

Alk and cal i check every couple days, mag once a week, nitrate about once a month, phosphate maybe every few months. Im definetly gonna get a doser for atleast the alk and cal, since those seem to get used up so quickly now, im gonna start logging exactly the rate of how much each one is being used up so i get a good idea of where to start the doser at. If i remember correctly my alk went from 9.5 to 8.5 in a couple of days but that was a few days ago and my memory could be off. Does that sound like a possible drop for my tank?

 

[rob safron]

Yep, with that much corals.

 

[HB AL]

Your system sounds great curious about learning your nutrient control.
do you use filter socks?
Do you have a refugium for algae?
Do you use biopellets or other nitrate remover?

I use filter socks and change them every 3 days. I dont have a refugium. All i have in my sump is the skimmer, bunch of rock and a bag of carbon and a bag of phosgaurd, along with 2 return pumps. Maybe the ton of rocks and corals keep the nutrients low.

 

[Brian W]

Ya, i was already leaning towards that direction since the amounts i dose now are so much more than just a year ago. Any brands that are reliable? Not looking to break the bank by the way.

Im sure many people may knowk it byt I like my Jebao DP-4 dosing pump. Has been super reliable and accurate for me.

 

[Bob Escher]

Pic of tank from a week ago

Nice looking tank. How do you like the cad lights? Is it with the corner overflow? I’m thinking of getting one

 

[Coronus]

My opinion because you asked. Tank looks good but could look much better with a few things. But first, if your happy with your system now then change nothing. Why change if its working?
With that being said. Water change more often. Every 2 weeks minimum. This will replace minor and major trace elements that contribute to many things. One being color! You may not think you need it, but check the results in a few months. Has to be consistent though.
Next stop dosing everything but the obvious cal, alk, mag. You dont need it. Nutrients hurt clean color. JMO. Nice tank!!!

 

[HB AL]

Nice looking tank. How do you like the cad lights? Is it with the corner overflow? I’m thinking of getting one

Ya, corner overflow, best tank ive ever owned, solid seals, nice stand and best of all it seems to keep fish and corals alive and thriving

 

[HB AL]

My opinion because you asked. Tank looks good but could look much better with a few things. But first, if your happy with your system now then change nothing. Why change if its working?
With that being said. Water change more often. Every 2 weeks minimum. This will replace minor and major trace elements that contribute to many things. One being color! You may not think you need it, but check the results in a few months. Has to be consistent though.
Next stop dosing everything but the obvious cal, alk, mag. You dont need it. Nutrients hurt clean color. JMO. Nice tank!!!

Ya not looking to make any major changes just looking for others ideas and opinions specifically related to longterm ACRO success. I was already thinking of going to more frequent water changes, maybe once every 2 weeks and changing 15 gallons at a time. Reason for 15 gallons is because thats right around what my sump holds so i dont have to draw the water down in the tank. Thanks for confirming the one thing i knew i needed to do. I do have some corals that the color could be way better and maybe its as simple as just more frequent water changes. Gonna take pics of every coral this week and in a few months compare them. Thanks for the ideas.

 

[SnapBackReeef]

I would suggest stopping all of that reef energy and get yourself a doser and start dosing ESV alk calcium and mag! It does wonders for my tank and I get great health and growth from all of my sps corals! Also feed reef foods 2x a week. That's all you need ( on top of water changes which usually only do once a month to keep stable parameters)