Reef Moonshiners - Seeking Advice + Startup Tips

[prcardinal91]

Hello fellow reefers

Next week I will be starting the Reef Moonshiners method and I am pretty pumped. My first initial dosages on some trace elements are significant. Other than needing to restock on some of these elements that will be used up quickly in the beginning, are there any other tips or things to watch out for before I start?

I ran a Trition ICP on the 11th of March and I will be using ATI from here on out. I ordered 2 ATI kits and have them ready to go when I make my adjustments in the coming weeks.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Can’t open attachment but great program IF you follow it precisely
Moonshiners guide takes you right through it

 

[Falcar]

Sounds like you're all set, I would just make sure you familiarize yourself with the handbook.

I'd recommend the blue dropper bottles too for things that are dosed in small quantities, it makes dosing much easier.

Also, try to bundle your purchases, shipping (at least to me) is about $17, so you don't really want to buy things one-off. For instance, based on your PDF, you may want to pick up an extra Boron right away, as you'll use most of the bottle with the first correction (425.85ml). Also, odds are you will need Fluoride once you get your ATI results.

 

[prcardinal91]

Sounds like you're all set, I would just make sure you familiarize yourself with the handbook.

I'd recommend the blue dropper bottles too for things that are dosed in small quantities, it makes dosing much easier.

Also, try to bundle your purchases, shipping (at least to me) is about $17, so you don't really want to buy things one-off. For instance, based on your PDF, you may want to pick up an extra Boron right away, as you'll use most of the bottle with the first correction (425.85ml). Also, odds are you will need Fluoride once you get your ATI results.

I did buy a 12 pack of blue bottles with the droppers on amazon. I also bought one of each of the elements and some Brightwell products and the seachem iodide. Been reading through the handbook as well. I am going to put another order in right after I do my first correction doses.

Will I be flying through some elements and barely using others?

As far as results go, about 3 months to really start to see things change?

 

[Betex]

I did buy a 12 pack of blue bottles with the droppers on amazon. I also bought one of each of the elements and some Brightwell products and the seachem iodide. Been reading through the handbook as well. I am going to put another order in right after I do my first correction doses.

Will I be flying through some elements and barely using others?

As far as results go, about 3 months to really start to see things change?

Yes you will utilize some a whole lot more than others. I go through quiet a bit of Flouride, boron, bromide.

 

[shakacuz]

I did buy a 12 pack of blue bottles with the droppers on amazon. I also bought one of each of the elements and some Brightwell products and the seachem iodide. Been reading through the handbook as well. I am going to put another order in right after I do my first correction doses.

Will I be flying through some elements and barely using others?

As far as results go, about 3 months to really start to see things change?

i'm already half way through my flouride bottle. my tank is a 40B. flouride, from what i read is definitely something you will use more often. other elements depend on your specific tank and consumption rates.

welcome aboard!

 

[Falcar]

I've seen the same consumption as most of the people listed...

I think you have a similar tank to mine, as my first corrections were very very similar.

 

[prcardinal91]

Thank you for all the replies thus far.

It feels so wrong to not be conducting normal water changes. I don't do water changes to reduce nitrate phosphate, but I do them to clean the 'gunk' out and replace trace elements. Usually 15 gallons a week on a 150 gallon. Has anyone run into issues with detritus buildup?

 

[Ntvper]

Thank you for all the replies thus far.

It feels so wrong to not be conducting normal water changes. I don't do water changes to reduce nitrate phosphate, but I do them to clean the 'gunk' out and replace trace elements. Usually 15 gallons a week on a 150 gallon. Has anyone run into issues with detritus buildup?

Who hasn’t? Let me rephrase “who hasn’t ran into detritus buildup”

 

[Falcar]

Thank you for all the replies thus far.

It feels so wrong to not be conducting normal water changes. I don't do water changes to reduce nitrate phosphate, but I do them to clean the 'gunk' out and replace trace elements. Usually 15 gallons a week on a 150 gallon. Has anyone run into issues with detritus buildup?

I haven't, tho I was thinking that if I did, I could siphon out the detritus into a filter sock (or something similar) and not have to do an actual water change. I haven't done this yet, but it was just my thought. Or you can implement some kind of power filter (which I also haven't done yet).

 

[prcardinal91]

I haven't, tho I was thinking that if I did, I could siphon out the detritus into a filter sock (or something similar) and not have to do an actual water change. I haven't done this yet, but it was just my thought. Or you can implement some kind of power filter (which I also haven't done yet).

Gotcha. How long have you been doing RM for?

 

[Betex]

Thank you for all the replies thus far.

It feels so wrong to not be conducting normal water changes. I don't do water changes to reduce nitrate phosphate, but I do them to clean the 'gunk' out and replace trace elements. Usually 15 gallons a week on a 150 gallon. Has anyone run into issues with detritus buildup?

Even though you are doing Moonshine nothing stops ya from doing water changes to clean up the sump etc. I just did 10-15% to get my sump all cleaned up. The main thing is to make sure you dont send in ICP right after the water change but to wait a week is what I usually do.

I do this every 2ish months or so to keep things clean.

 

[Falcar]

Gotcha. How long have you been doing RM for?

about 3 months, so far so good!

Betex makes a good point too, there really is no reason you can't do a WC if you want to clean things out.

 

[MPCReefer]

Any update on how RM is working for you? Currently considering starting it myself and a bit hesitant due to potential for detritus build up and worrying about adding complexity.

 

[prcardinal91]

RM in my opinion has shown some pretty positive results. I am sending out ICP test every 1 to 2 months and following the reccomended dosing on all elements. Some elements get used up rapidly (flouride) so staying on top of ordering can be annoying sometimes. As far as complexity, Its pretty esay to get the hang of with the resources provded and a little experiece. I would say by the 3rd ICP test you will be pretty proficient at the program.

Water changes can still be done, but I would reccomend doing them before the ICP test and before you make any correction doses. I do beleive there is value in still performing water changes, but i do them very infrequnety now. Maybe one 15 gallon change every 3 months. (150 gallon display). I may start doing monthly water changes now that i have some more time with the change of season.

My tank in March to this morning 12/24.

 

[olonmv]

Seriously thinking of starting this program myself. Can this program be ran in conjunction with a denitrator?

 

[prcardinal91]

I'm not a RM professional so take my opinion lightly, but I wouldn't see a problem with running a denitrator. At this point, however, I am dosing phosphate and nitrate on a weekly basis to keep levels falling too low. The corals have been using these up pretty quickly as they grow

 

[shakacuz]

At this point, however, I am dosing phosphate and nitrate on a weekly basis to keep levels falling too low. The corals have been using these up pretty quickly as they grow

This is where i’m at with my tank as well. it’ll be 2years at the end of february

 

[olonmv]

I'm not a RM professional so take my opinion lightly, but I wouldn't see a problem with running a denitrator. At this point, however, I am dosing phosphate and nitrate on a weekly basis to keep levels falling too low. The corals have been using these up pretty quickly as they grow

Cool, I run a denitrator to keep NO3 at bay and it works. I’m team no WC and would love to maintain a healthy tank via element dosing.

 

[MPCReefer]

RM in my opinion has shown some pretty positive results. I am sending out ICP test every 1 to 2 months and following the reccomended dosing on all elements. Some elements get used up rapidly (flouride) so staying on top of ordering can be annoying sometimes. As far as complexity, Its pretty esay to get the hang of with the resources provded and a little experiece. I would say by the 3rd ICP test you will be pretty proficient at the program.

Water changes can still be done, but I would reccomend doing them before the ICP test and before you make any correction doses. I do beleive there is value in still performing water changes, but i do them very infrequnety now. Maybe one 15 gallon change every 3 months. (150 gallon display). I may start doing monthly water changes now that i have some more time with the change of season.

My tank in March to this morning 12/24.

Beautiful tank! Thanks for taking time for the detailed response!