Tank update:
The tank has been doing really good with a few hiccups along the way. The amount of coral that I have added has increased a lot since my last update on Jan 20th. Looking at the video of the tank you can clearly see the difference from the last video. The ATS has been working 24hrs a day and I'm been cleaning the screen every 7 days. I'm going to let the scrubber run 10 days to see if that helps with nutrient export. With the amount of fish in the tank and the feeding has been a challenge to get the nutrient export inline. Testing my P04 and N03 weekly to P04 daily since I got back from vacation. While I was on vacation the PLANK feeder was the only source of feeding for the 8 days I was gone. Feeding tiny pellets only for 3 seconds and 3 times a day. The PLANK feeder is awesome and I'm glad I made the investment. Best thing about it is the amount of food you can add to the tank with the water flowing in the tube to feed the fish. My experience with other auto feeders is that you get too much food added per feeding and the food floats on the top of the water. Ultimately ends up in the overflow.
Going on vacation for 8 days was a test to the tank and what will happen. I believe feeding the fish pellet food contributed to the raise in P04. At this time I haven't had any algae outbreaks, but keeping a close eye on the nutrient levels with minor adjustments. I've been running the GFO in minor amounts to help with the P04 along with the ATS running 24hrs a day. Originally I started the GFO Dec 28th with only 60 grams of GFO with a slow tumble / flow of water in the reactor. Right before I left for vacation on Feb 6th I changed the GFO and put in a cup(150 grams) in the reactor. Gradually started the flow of GFO until I left for vacation. The nitrates have been hovering around 20-25ppm(tested with Hanna Nitrate HR). The ATS hasn't been able to lower my nutrient level to date, but I believe it has been maintaining a constant level. Feeding 1 cube a day with some pellets with the PLANK feeder, to 100% feeder while I was on vacation. Currently feeding only 1-2 cube a day of mysis and monitoring my nutrient levels closely.
The balance of nutrient export and import is key to having a successful reef tank. The dance of feeding fish to feeding corals to feeding the bacteria in tank to excess nutrient export. I'm amazed on how much this hobby has changed in the few years. The bacteria in our tanks and the balance to keeping a healthy reef tank is key. Reading a lot of info in regards to algae blooms, tank crashes, thriving reef tanks. My goal is to get the nutrient balance correct with natural biological ways as much as possible(ATS, bacteria, skimmer, etc). Meanwhile I have the GFO in a reactor online as needed. Being patient is a key factor on letting things change slowly. There's a product that I've been reading about and going to try is PNS Pro Bio. Here's an interesting article about the bacteria in this product. Pro Bio arrives today and I will be added it to the tank daily and testing daily to monitor the effects to the nutrient export. Testing P04 with the Hanna phosphorous LR tester.
https://www.hydrospace.store/post/removing-phosphate-with-pns-bacteria
Carbon dosing is something else I'm very interested in doing as a alternative solution in reducing my nutrients. Basically a cocktail mix of 70% vodka, 30% vinegar, with a couple TSP of white sugar in a liter. Dosing this in small amounts over time. Only concern with this is bottoming out P04 and nitrogen export.
There's been some added equipment - Reefdose 4 with dosing containers, Nero 3 wave maker placed on the overflow side to more water movement, and the Aqua UV advantage 15watt sterilizer. What a challenge it was to add the UV to the sump. Currently dosing BW Alkalin 8.3, Calcion-P daily. My dosing container has three chambers and I'm thinking that I can add the carbon dosing cocktail. Haven't done it yet, but I have a place if needed.
ATI ICP test was sent this week, and the RM nutrients will arrive by the end of this week. I'm looking forward to starting the reef moonshiners method after my ICP test results. The only thing I've been adding is iodine and the vitaminX with every feeding(frozen food soaked).
I haven't done a water change since the beginning. That's right NO water change - yet. So I'm very interested in seeing the ICP test and what the levels are. I've added salt to raise the salinity(in a cup in the sump for slow introduction to the tank) to the water since the beginning because I have taken water out of the tank for different reasons such as coral treatments etc(small amounts).
My Apex has been a struggle since I got it. With the EB832 issues and then replaced under warranty to the base unit being replaced under warranty because of Wifi connection issues. It was a stressful time right before I left for vacation because I needed it all to work before I left for 8 days!!! I did run a cat5 cable to the new base unit to save any issues with Wifi while I was gone along with a camera on the tank at all times. So I could not stress while I was gone knowing the tank was ok. I know you guys can relate to that feeling......
The electrical wire and equipment still hasn't been organized. Need to get this done.
I went to Cancun for 8 days on vacation and what a beautiful place it is. Spent my time on a resort, went sailing, snorkeling, Rio Secreto underground caves(75 feet under ground), watched the Superbowl at the resort. It was a heck of a party. Met a lot awesome people along the way. Mostly from the midwest and east coast. While I was snorkeling seen a couple dragon wrasses, parrot fish, different types of fish, triggers. Some monti plate corals.
