Refugium & Aquaforest tank?

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Total: 0, Members: 0, Guests: 0)

Jump to Last
Daydream Corals

Daydream Corals

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Oct 10, 2010
Messages
392
Reaction score
110
Location
South Florida
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hi Reefers,

So I have a 38 gallon innovative marine tank mixed reef but starting to become more sps dominant since I have my frag tanks set up now and started moving a lot of lps. My question about runninga refugium while using aquaforest. I have recently stopped running my refugium because in the 9 months my tank has been set up the cheato never grew and just turned into a ball of slime so I took it out. I dose pro bio s & np pro but now only once a week or when I saw my phosphate rise. I have been testing daily now for the last week or so and my phosphates are staying at 0.00 and now I'm showing nitrates at 5.0 which I ever never really showed nitrates in my tank. What should I do to get my phosphates up and since I'm not running a refugium do I need to add for my bio filtration? Should I be dosing np pro & pro bio s daily or keep it as I'm doing and just dose when I see my nutrient levels go up?
 
You can feed more to bring your PO4 up. Also, for biofiltration you can use siporax. Chaeto doesn't go well with probiotics so you dont need chaeto. You can dose Pro bio S and NP pro 3 times a week and keep checking.
 
Also was thinking about ordering this to add to biofiltration or would it be better to just add the siporax because I don't need the GFO and carbon when running aquaforest system correct ?

IMG_4372.PNG
 
TLCorals said:
Also was thinking about ordering this to add to biofiltration or would it be better to just add the siporax because I don't need the GFO and carbon when running aquaforest system correct ?

IMG_4372.PNG
Click to expand...
Add siporax. It takes time to seed it but once seeded it can handle a lot of bioload.
 
Your nutrient levels are fine, but keep in mind you can use a reactor with stack method with Zeo Mix, Carbon, and Phosphate Minus. In addition you can dose as suggested with NP Pro and Pro Bio S. This will keep you so low that you will want to feed 2 times daily, I would suggest feeding higher quality frozen, personally. Also, you can have a higher bio load this way too. Make sure skimmer is in play, and that it is set to dry, this is the heart of the Probiotic Method. Also, I would use Life Bio Fil in that snazzy media tray, it is pre-seeded with bacteria and will go to work straight away :) Cheers
 
Hey Perry,

That sounds like a plan! Thanks for that info. Also would you use the lifebio fill instead of the siporax or in addition ? Is it possible to have to much biofiltration and media cause I was thinking about using the media tray with the bio balls that come with it plus the siporax would I be able to use lifebio fill in addition or should I just use one kind of media?
 
TLCorals said:
Hey Perry,

That sounds like a plan! Thanks for that info. Also would you use the lifebio fill instead of the siporax or in addition ? Is it possible to have to much biofiltration and media cause I was thinking about using the media tray with the bio balls that come with it plus the siporax would I be able to use lifebio fill in addition or should I just use one kind of media?
Click to expand...

Scratch bio balls, and yes you can use too much bio media, in a sense that you can plummet your nutrients. I would use maybe 2 liters of bio media in your setup. The advantage of using Life Bio Fil is that it is pre-seeded with bacteria, whereas siporax takes time to seed, in some cases up to 3 months. I agree though, that once it begins working, it does a great job. And yes, you can use both. I used matrix, siporax, and Life Bio Fil in my old 120 sps reef.
 
I have a 38 gal but I have the Nano skimmer which is only rated up to 35 gals so my skimmer is kinda undersized because I didn't get the IM ghost skimmer and I couldn't find anything else that would fit. The skimmer pulls out dark gunk it doesn't pull out where there is to much liquid so the skimmer is doing the job. My question is should I look into upgrading my skimmer before I try this stacking system plus running an aquaforest system ?
 
Also my corals have great colors is there a chance if I start using zeo mix it can strip color from my corals or have any disadvantage by adding ?
 
If you add Zeomix, just start off slow and test nutrients. Usually good in cases where there are many fish and heavy feedings to the tank. Go slow if you do :)
 
Hey Perry,

Ok sounds good,
I tried running that stack method but I guess the reactor I have is to small because it was almost stacked to the top of the reactor with all that media so I just removed a lot but it still wasn't strong enough I guess because of the pump it wasn't pumping water through so o just put GFO in. I'm having some issues right now with green algae and red turf algae I had an issue with before but it's been the longest time since I've had seen any algae in my tank I know why though I started feeding heavier and dosing aminos and all the aquaforest coral foods plus ocean nutrition oyster feast that's when I notice algae starting again. My question is would it be smart for me to just run zeomix alone in a reactor for my system or maybe just carbon and zeomix together ?
 
TLCorals said:
Hey Perry,

Ok sounds good,
I tried running that stack method but I guess the reactor I have is to small because it was almost stacked to the top of the reactor with all that media so I just removed a lot but it still wasn't strong enough I guess because of the pump it wasn't pumping water through so o just put GFO in. I'm having some issues right now with green algae and red turf algae I had an issue with before but it's been the longest time since I've had seen any algae in my tank I know why though I started feeding heavier and dosing aminos and all the aquaforest coral foods plus ocean nutrition oyster feast that's when I notice algae starting again. My question is would it be smart for me to just run zeomix alone in a reactor for my system or maybe just carbon and zeomix together ?
Click to expand...

The stack method works well, but sure, you can stack and use reactor separate or all together, depending on your reactor setup. I modified an old Vertex Zeo Reactor which held 1.5 liters of media, more than sufficient for stacking all 3 medias. My current setup I have a small reactor, and do not use Zeo Mix at this point. But, I would likely run into the same problem, as it is a nano reactor. So there are users that pulse/ shake the Zeo Mix like traditional programs, but it is really not necessary with AF Probiotic program. You could even run passive in a sock, and knead the stones daily to shake off bacteria mulm. So yes, you can do this anyway you like. For algae, I would highly recommend Mexian Red Leg Hermits, those guys rock! Cheers
 
TLCorals said:
Do I have to put in a mesh bag or would it be better to just put it right in the chamber ? Thanks for all your help!
Click to expand...

Best employed where it can be in contact with water, fluidized reactor is good way to do this, but I personally run passive in my media box, in a mesh bag, one that allows for plenty of water to pass through :) If done in a reactor, tune down the flow, as the media works very well at reduction of nutrients. Cheers
 

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

  • Yes!

    Votes: 32 45.7%

  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

    Votes: 9 12.9%

  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%

  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 4.3%
See comments…

New Posts

Deltec
Top Shelf Aquatics
Tidal Gardens
Dinkins Aquatic Gardens
Nutramar Foods
TCK Corals
Chewy.com
World Wide Corals
New Posts
Back
Top