Reef savvy cube build (2)

truepercs · Aug 12, 2021

I have been using the Hanna Alk checker and a few weeks ago new reagent came in. I was shocked that my Alk was not the 8.0 the checker has been reading. As I dove into it, I learned that it is very easy to contaminate the reagent. My Alk was checking about 10.2 with the new reagent. Over the last several weeks I have been slowly working to bring down. Today I am @ 8.8 so getting there. I have lost one frag to date and noticed it today Lemon lime time acro is gone.

truepercs · Sep 30, 2021

Been a while for a post, I did get my testing issues ironed out. It turns out my testing method contaminated the reagent. I have refined my procedure and now get consistent results from bottle to bottle. I slowly lowered Alk over 3+ weeks to get to target again. The plan was to post pics monthly but that did not happen. Aquarium is doing fine. Hopefully all will continue to roll along and I can post a 6 month update pic of reef aquarium... It definitely looks different compared to the original photos.

The basement sump is working great. I even automated my water changes,changing out approx one gallon a day.Added a Kalk reactor in the sump. Maintenance is minimal...

truepercs · Oct 25, 2021

Finally I was able to take a few photos... Will post 6 month old photos soon.

truepercs · Oct 27, 2021

Pulled the camera out, now if I can remember how to use it... Here is a start on photos of the aquarium @ 6 months. Many frags are now 3x original size. I was keeping Alk around 7.5 however I started to bring up and will maintain 8.5-9.0. I noticed the coral seem to like slight raise in Alkalinity.

I use Kalk reactor, and have DOS set to do auto water change about 1 gallon a day. I did this because I was not consistant with my water changes.
I just started backing off on Alk testing from every day to once every other day. Phosphate has been around .09- 1.1 I check that now once a week.

So far it is going well... The Kessil light was purchased used, I have been happy with it. I want to try the new Orphek Icon. I have this on order, this will be my first new light as most equipment was purchased used. If I like I will put this up for sale very reasonable due to the age.

truepercs · Oct 27, 2021

6 months makes a big difference, I am looking forward to the 1 year mark. Done with fish... (9 total)
i still plan to add a few more corals. Right now on my list is the Leng Sy cap, and I have always wanted pocillopora eyedoxi. Also would like to see if I can get a coral that would host the clown fish. I considered an anenome however still not sure due to possible splits. I keep looking at ocean bommie pictures and try to see if I can make it look similar. Pictures will look a bit better as I get acquainted with my camera again

At this point I just want to continue to watch things grow.

truepercs · Nov 30, 2021

Time for some additional photos... I have some type of Algae growing in. Still have not identified yet. I debated for some time on adding a small Tomani tang. I finally decided to pick one up, to see if he would help with this green wire type algae. A bit nervous as I did not want to add anything as all fish have settled in.

Immediately after adding the Cherub Angel did not want to give up his territory, however he soon learned that he should not mess with a surgeon. The next morning they are both happily swimming together. The aquarium is maxed out with 10 fish.

On another note I have ordered a new light (Orphek icon) and have waited for which seems like months now. Supposedly it will be shipping out soon.

New Photo's to follow!

truepercs · Nov 30, 2021

I found the Pink pocillopora eyedoxi I was after and was contacted today, that will be ordered this week, and...I just received a tracking number for my new Orphek light. The last coral I really wanted " Leng Sy cap". There is a local hobbyist friend that is going to swap me for a chunk. I Just have to keep things growing!

truepercs · Dec 1, 2021

Trying to post a few pics... for month 7
Top view:

truepercs · Dec 1, 2021

truepercs · Dec 1, 2021

You can see the algae that has taken hold... My hope is that the tang will help get rid of it... Time will tell

truepercs · Dec 9, 2021

Today I added my new light….

it’s a beast…Not quite as sexy as the old one. Although it can be mounted higher and helps with the top down view.

I definitely can see that it blankets more of the tank. I can see light in areas that was shadowed previously.

truepercs · Dec 16, 2021

Just like I pondered over adding the tang... I have also considered an anemone, I posted up my old light and ended up trading it for livestock. One of the items was an anemone.

I grabbed a new rock stuffed him in a hole and put a net up around it

A friend told me that really do not like new rock, so I changed my plan and grabbed a smaller rock that was in the aquarium since it started. Put both the anemone and the rock in a container and hung in the tank over night.

Over night he/she attached to the rock, so I then put it in the aquarium. It has been about a week and it is in the same spot. Hopefully it will stay that way. Right up front, now if those clown fish will just hop on board!

A few photos with iphone...

truepercs · Dec 16, 2021

Ha…. Funny was looking at photo was thinking not many fish... and realized that you can see 7 of the 10 fish…

Usually the Flame Hawk is in every picture...

The watchman Goby and pistol shrimp have been hanging out in the back of the aquarium for weeks now.. It's possible that the male clown was right behind the female... Usually they are together when ever a picture is taken,

truepercs · Dec 24, 2021

Salesman offered up a free Orphek filter set for iPhone. A few pictures with orange lenses in aquarium today.
Since moving from acclimation mode to regular mode the corals have had a growth spurt. My Ph was nearing 8.5 at peak, so last night I adjusted the Kalk doser to stop dosing At 1:00 pm and start back up at 9:00 pm. It helped it peaked at 8.45 today so I adjusted it to stop dosing at 11:30 am and start back at 9:00 pm. That should help. Now I just need to adjust /increase the volume amount as it has been slipping from my target range. All in all that is a good sign!

truepercs · Dec 24, 2021

A few more… I am sure you can see the algae. It was a bit worse, watching today it appears that the cherub angel has been trimming it down. So I am not over reacting just keeping my eye on it and making sure phosphates do not go higher than .1
Going to see if it slowly diminishes over time as the tank matures…

Today I purchased the RedSea a/b plus to start adding. Has great reviews let’s see if there is any noticeable difference.
Very happy on how the aquarium is progressing. This is the 8th month mark!

Merry Christmas!

truepercs · Dec 24, 2021

The bubble anemone has stayed put where originally placed. The clown fish don’t have a clue yet…
It would be great if they called it their home. It would be right up front where it could be seen perfectly.

truepercs · Dec 24, 2021

Cleaned up a bit of the back wall… will also scrape off the overflow area next…
8 months /full tank shot with iPhone…

truepercs · Dec 27, 2021

Well the smooth ride has ended... i noticed that some "dino's" were starting to appear... I upped the pumps to help keep it from clinging onto the coral.

Today.. the anemone did not like, it found a new home just underneath the overflow. I seen the cherub angel scuffling with the clownfish and soon after the lights came on the aquarium had dino''s everywhere...

i am sure the more intense lighting has helped this along. I am trying not to panic, with testing the nitrates are lower than the original target of 4-5 ppm. (Test @ .25) it's been a while since nitrates were checked. Basically alk,and phosphates have been the focus. Phosphates ok @.06

i am going to try to bring the nitrates up. I also added some bacteria. Will continue to blow off and change the filter socks daily and see if this helps.

a friend was going to pass along a few frags, this needs to settle down before i add anything. It is true bad things happen fast

truepercs · Jan 31, 2022

Finally was able to beat the Dinos... . All is going fairly well. I did have to nip off a couple ends of two of the corals during this battle. The dinos had attached and killed off the ends. It was a battle, finally ended up turning lights off for 3 days and added some bacteria to assist. I think the nitrates/phosphates flip flopped which led to the start of issues. I also reduced the lights to 60%...

When I do manage to get my arms in the tank, I have been able to pull some of the wiry algae out. It's tough but if I can get a firm grip, it will pull out in a tight bunch. It looks a bit better as this pain of an algae is removed.

After several weeks of not wanting to look at the tank, while I was observing yesterday I was not able to locate the Chalk Bass. I do know when i started the battle he was fine, perhaps he died and I did not notice which also attributed to the tough battle.

This is a real bummer, I think it would be to disruptive to replace with another. He was one of the earlier fish on the list that was added. If another one was added he would be stressed to no end.

Slightly behind in monthly photos

Next weekend I can finally meet up with another reefer Ben to swap a few corals.
Wanted to wait until tank was back on track before doing anything.