Should I start dosing something?

[reef_ninja]

First, I'm not looking for a magic bullet, snake oil, or the mythical all-in-one, make-your-tank-perfect supplement (that, I know, doesn't exist). I got my expectations in check!

I have a 40 breeder that I think is JUST starting to turn into the next step of maturity. Its about 4 months old, and those initial algae stages are under much better control. Ive started adding a few pieces of coral (some zoas, a couple birds nest frags), and they are doing great. Got 2 Lightning Maroon Clownfish (Big Mama is about 3.5" long), a lawnmower, clown goby, and an elegant dottyback. Not stocking anymore fish.

Question: I feed about 1/4 to 1/3 of a cube of frozen food twice a day, plus a pinch of pellets (New Life Spectrum or Seeweed Extreme) in the afternoon 3-4 days a week. But I feel like the whole ecosystem could be fed better (we all need variety right?). Im wondering if it would be beneficial to start dosing something to better support micro fauna, maybe even get the coraline to grow just a little better. Thoughts?

Im not looking to start something just to start something, but as I'll be adding more and more corals soon (def LPS and SPS), I'm wondering if I can make the environment "healthier."

 

[Pistondog]

First, I'm not looking for a magic bullet, snake oil, or the mythical all-in-one, make-your-tank-perfect supplement (that, I know, doesn't exist). I got my expectations in check!

I have a 40 breeder that I think is JUST starting to turn into the next step of maturity. Its about 4 months old, and those initial algae stages are under much better control. Ive started adding a few pieces of coral (some zoas, a couple birds nest frags), and they are doing great. Got 2 Lightning Maroon Clownfish (Big Mama is about 3.5" long), a lawnmower, clown goby, and an elegant dottyback. Not stocking anymore fish.

Question: I feed about 1/4 to 1/3 of a cube of frozen food twice a day, plus a pinch of pellets (New Life Spectrum or Seeweed Extreme) in the afternoon 3-4 days a week. But I feel like the whole ecosystem could be fed better (we all need variety right?). Im wondering if it would be beneficial to start dosing something to better support micro fauna, maybe even get the coraline to grow just a little better. Thoughts?

Im not looking to start something just to start something, but as I'll be adding more and more corals soon (def LPS and SPS), I'm wondering if I can make the environment "healthier."

Do you see coraline starting?
If not this will Kickstart it

https://arcreef.com/product/coralline-algae-in-a-bottle/

Coraline also blocks nuisance algae on bare rock.
I like microbacter 7 for newish tanks. Bacteria are at the bottom of the food chain and help outcompete other invasive stuff.

 

[reef_ninja]

Coraline started a while ago, but is progressing very slowly. Its not growing as fast as other reefs Ive had (this week's latest params = Calc - 460, Alk 9.6, Mag 1400). I think the birdsnest is growing faster, and that was added long after coraline started showing up.

Ill look at those two as a starting point. There's just SO MANY things that we can dose, its hard to figure out first whether I should, and second what to choose.

 

[Pistondog]

are you confident in your light?

 

[reef_ninja]

I am. Its just a viparspectra 300w (might try to convince the wife for kessils this year ), but Ive had great experience with black boxes in the past. Plus, the corals are doing great and showing growth.

But I dont necessarily want to get hung up on coraline alone....maybe that will come with more stability and maturity.

 

[reef_ninja]

Any other thoughts? (even if its just "If you havent identified a specific problem, dont worry about it.")