WOW,
I have not updated here in quite some time.
This tank is still running, but I have never been able to successfully keep SPS in this setup. I have tried several times, but for whatever reason, I cannot seem to get alk to consume, the sps on several occasions did the same thing, they slowly died, tissue faded, then color, then polyps, then death. I have to admit, I think I tried too hard, and one thing I have had to chew on is, stay in your lane, do what works for you, try and not force things. That said, I feel I should update this thread, and show it's current state.
Now, I have tried many systems, different products, and feel that I am moving in a completely different direction with this tank, ultimately, I will probably continue to remove, not add to the technology aspects of this particular reef. So, I am moving in a more simplistic direction, and have made some changes. So here they are:
1. No dosing products, water changes only, now using Tropic Marin Pro Reef salt, was loyal fan of AF, there salt is great, but I did have a funny batch, and wanted to try a new salt, well, the only salt I used in the past, lol, so back to TMP. 10 gallons a week, soon going down to 5 gallons.
2. If any buffering elements need adjusting, I am using ESV to buffer(Alk, Ca, Mg). Simply put, the larger water changes seem to be all I need to keep consistent parameters.
3. Addition of mangroves, they will become a symbiotic part of the reef, both aesthetically and for nutrient uptake. Lately, I begin to wonder do we need protein skimmers, reactors for GAC/GFO. As time goes on, I will likely pull AF Phosphate Minus offline, as well as GAC and protein skimmer. Fortunately, the rock and tank are quite mature, several sponges and tunicates all throughout the tank, Micro life teeming in this setup, despite my inability to keep sps corals.
4. Migration to LPS and soft corals. I still have many from the beginning, so I will have to snap a few pictures to show the current reef. I have fallen in love with these type of corals, and one day, when finances permit, I will start a separate reef for sps only.
5. All hardware the same, lighting is Kessil A360WE starting at 9am to 9PM, ramping to 55% intensity, and 30% color. This light is 14" above water, and serves to grow mangroves as well as light to the tank. I also still use the block2 led set to same height, but running blues and uv only, this light peaks at 80%, and combined with the Kessil produces a beautiful color spectrum and shimmer. Protein skimmer still Aquamaxx WS-1. No other hardware changes.
6. Tank is well fed using PE Mysis, Larry's LRS Frenzy, and Gamma Nutrie Pellets, 2 feedings per day. I have 2 clowns, 2 chromis, a spotted mandarin goby, and cryptic sixline wrasse. I also have 3 peppermint shrimp, as well as a killer CUC. This is where I feel a tank can thrive, so my emphasis is to focus on biology moving forward.
Sorry, a ton of info to update on, but feel it's necessary to share the good, bad, and the ugly. This tank has also suffered from Red Planaria, and likely I have harmed some fish and corals trying to use chemicals, which likely did not hurt the corals and fish, but the die off from the RP likely harmed inhabitants. This is why I added a spotted mandarin goby, which has slowed the infestation and allowed me to put a dent in the population through manual siphoning removal. Thanks for checking things out, and pictures coming soon
Cheers!
