Saltgator's 240 Build

[Saltgator]

I had the same issue and I just started feeding more. Now I feed too much as I see my phos and nitrates coming up and will be cutting back on the feedings. Since the levels have become detectable my corals look great. I do run bio-pellets though so I need to feed heavily. Not just as heavy as I have been!

Good luck dude. I was down your way a few weeks back and completely forgot you were in the area where I was at for work. Next time I come down that way I'll be sure to hit you up!

Good deal!! Look forward to seeing ya. Good luck with your feedings too, I know my tangs ain't gonna like it once I have to reduce it,lol.



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[Saltgator]

Well... Today brings bad news. I've tested and tested, but apparently my tests weren't good enough. I had a buddy come by and drop of a seachem PO4 test kit and... 2.5-3.0!!! Wife believed it was closer to 3.0,so I'm very disappointed in myself. No visual signs as far as algae goes, but someone stated my tangs and huge zebra snails control it before I see/notice it. No wonder my sps ain't been good and palys are semi closed.Boy, talk about introducing myself and feeling like a a rookie.

Yes, I've tested and tested, but apparently not been a good enough reef keeper!! So, today I started red sea no3po4x. Not a huge fan of gfo. Hopefully I'll see results in a few weeks (visually) along with new test results, but until then my options are 1 or more of the below:
... Vac out all my tropic eden substrate.
... Sell half or more of my livestock (tangs and foxface)
... Start vodka dosing (Brett, if you still do this, i need a link for directions please)
... Massive WC after WC after WC

Double checked my ro/di top off h2o and zero tds. I still believe it's the bio load, even though they eat once a day and consume 100%.

Good thing I couldn't participate in CC live sale!!


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[skinz78]

Dang Brad, I'm sorry to hear that, I'm sure you'll get it ironed out soon though.

 

[Saltgator]

Dang Brad, I'm sorry to hear that, I'm sure you'll get it ironed out soon though.

Thanks Chris. Hopefully. Question for you though, when you did the sand swap in the 120, did you do a wc? If so, how big of one? Just don't want to stress the stressed more.

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[skinz78]

Yeah, I took as much water out as I needed when changing the sand. I don't recall how much though.

 

[Saltgator]

Yeah, I took as much water out as I needed when changing the sand. I don't recall how much though.

I appreciate it Chris.

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[joe2011]

sorry too hear that hope it all works out for you

 

[Saltgator]

sorry too hear that hope it all works out for you

Thanks Joe. Hopefully get things back to good soon.

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[mcarroll]

Haha, exactly. It's always the expensive, rare stuff that is hard to keep. Guess that's why they are expensive and rare huh???

"Go slow" is the most-forgotten rule of the hobby. I'm figuring gross, and per capita basis... LOL (Not to imply it's an easy rule to stick to...)

A frag a month is about the maximum pace I'd take to stock any normal size tank - I might even go slower. Even for a biggie like the 240g I'd only add 1-2 a month I think...again, maybe even less. Gives us plenty of time to see differences in the coral, differences in chemistry....and means if we make a mistake, only the few we've added have to suffer while we learn. Learning is the other side of the coin of experience, if you know what I mean. Experience without learning is...well...let's just say it's not as helpful as it could be. And learning takes time. Hence the motto: Nothing good happens fast in a reef tank. Who can argue with that?

/soapbox :smile:

Something to keep in mind about those recommending lower alkalinity numbers (~8 dKH) is that there's an assumption that you are carbon dosing "cuz everyone does it". Carbon dosing seems to mess with the chemistry (no such thing as a free lunch!) and people using carbon dosing seem have pretty bad luck when they try to push growth and/or add a bigger margin of safety by doing what we usually do - raising alk above 8 dKH or so. Their pH tends to be depressed as well - with a daily high pH often around 8.1. If you aren't dosing vodka, sugar, CO2, vinegar, biopellets, etc., then none of this applies. Alkalinity up to 11-12 dKH will not be an issue when kept with calcium and magnesium around 420 ppm and 1350 ppm, respectively.

Hope this helps!

-Matt

 

[Saltgator]

Couldn't agree more Matt. I am dosing red sea no3po4x atm, but will be backing off (little at a time) while I remove the sand bed. My alk was a bit high prior to starting it (it was 11), but since I started, I've came down gradually to 8.5. Hope to knock this po4 out and be bb soon. Thanks.

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[Saltgator]

Just installed 2 x wp40 tonight. Theses pumps push water!!!! Just 2 on my 8 feet throw water on w1. Running else mode to see how everything reacts.

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[schooleyosis]

Awesome. I ordered 2 for my 120... I might have whitecaps! :nerd:

 

[Saltgator]

Awesome. I ordered 2 for my 120... I might have whitecaps! :nerd:

Yep, no doubt you will. My 2 face each other at each end, yet still produce a 3 inch wave!!! Once I'm BB, I'll lower them and see how they do, might keep my other china power heads for some real current, possibly a undertow too,ha ha. The sensors seem to be working too.

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[schooleyosis]

Cool. I plan on turning mine way down once I get them but will definitely see what they can do turned up! I'll get towels ready. LOL

 

[Saltgator]

Cool. I plan on turning mine way down once I get them but will definitely see what they can do turned up! I'll get towels ready. LOL

Lol. I'll be waiting for pics or a video. Once I go BB, I'll try my 1st video.

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[schooleyosis]

Cool. I'll look forward to the video. I don't think mine will come in for a few weeks yet but I'll definitely post a video.

 

[TRex91]

Maybe a stupid question but you aren't from Florida are you,,, gainsville i was wondering because the gator part... Lol... Probably a dumb question

 

[Saltgator]

Maybe a stupid question but you aren't from Florida are you,,, gainsville i was wondering because the gator part... Lol... Probably a dumb question

FL is a yes, gainsville is a no. Born/raised in SWFL.

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[stylaster]

hmmm good to know about those wp 40's im putting one on my 4' frag tank hehe. Should grow acros great with that much current. BTW don't stress the po4 too much there are a lot worse things to have happen. If you got a sump area maybe try growing some cheato to takeup the phosphate. I personally run gfo and carbon 24/7 in my system

 

[Saltgator]

hmmm good to know about those wp 40's im putting one on my 4' frag tank hehe. Should grow acros great with that much current. BTW don't stress the po4 too much there are a lot worse things to have happen. If you got a sump area maybe try growing some cheato to takeup the phosphate. I personally run gfo and carbon 24/7 in my system

Yeah, be careful with those wp40s, I was doubtful in my 8 foot, but wow.

My PO4 isn't too bad,yet, but could be 100% better. I'm wanting to go BB anyway (well... Should have listen to the Mrs, she said go BB months ago)(lol). Funny thing is I've tried growing cheato since Nov '12. It started as a baseball, but is only the size of a great fruit now with no trimming (par 38 fuge light on 18 hrs). It's chamber is my direct dump from the DT in the sump. Maybe more flow, who knows.

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