So confused

[JonEB]

mountain standard time here

 

[MapleLeafReefer]

Ok, so you are using Salifert, good, and an RODI, good.

You definitely need to find out what our phosphates are. Your nitrate level is probably more irritating to corals, but elevated phosphates brings it's own set of problems. Water changes and more export can help with nitrates. For phosphates, because they bind to calcium carbonate surfaces in your tank (rock/sand), they move very slowly. So trying to reduce them becomes a long fight if you have a big reserve of bound phosphate.

I would suggest abetter method of measuring salinity is in order. I am partial to the Tropic Marin High Precision Hydrometers. They can be a bit more work to use, but I would suggest getting one of those and then you can have it on hand as a means to cross check whatever salinity measurement device you settle on for long term use. They require no calibration and are very accurate.

How long have you had the tank since it was moved/re-assembled?

Coming up on a year

 

[MapleLeafReefer]

What softies do you have besides zoas? FTS would be helpful too.

But as some say, it can be the life on the reef. Goodness knows I have tanks that thrive with different animals and cannot handle others.

Finger leather - some call it devils hand leather...I think they are one in the same. I have a discus mushroom, a Florida recordia, a couple kenya trees, gsp, and a huge toadstool. And for interest sake I also have a clam. Maxima I think. It also seems happy and is growing nicely

 

[MapleLeafReefer]

I would look at adding chemi pure elite, carbon or activated charcoal.
Adding soft coral or some macro algae. Something to soak up any excess nutrients but yes I think an initial wc would be good. I know my tank could use one. Lol.
D

People talk about "running carbon" and I don't really understand it. I should say I understand the idea just not how to set it up in my sump. Do I need a reactor or is there a simpler way? But I digress...
Just did a 50% water change.
What's chemipure?

 

[DiLos Reef]

Hello....

I'm a bit confused. I have several softies that thrive in my tank. I have bubble tip anemone that reproduce like crazy....over 20 in the tank. I have the appropriate number of fish, cuc, sump with skimmer, good flow and tank turn over rate. I use crummy lights - current led, but otherwise it's a half decent set up for a newbie. My ammonia is 0 my nitrite is 0 my ph is 8ish my nitrate is a bit high 25-35ppm, my calcium is 470ish, my alkalinity is 8.6, my magnesium is 1450ish....all okay values I think. Do you think I can keep a candycane alive? Nope. An acan? Nope. A zooanthid...haven't tried in awhile but last time...nope. They are all in appropriate flow and light ranges. They are fed with reef roids, but not too much. My clam is happy....
It's such a paradox and I can not figure out what gives. I dont want tonkeep dropping hundreds on corals that die on me and I also do t want to concede. Please help. What am I missing?

I have found that dosing iodide can help dramatically. Salt mixes these days outside of Tropic have very low levels of it.
One other idea is to change carbon a bit more as softees give off a bit of toxins that other corals don't love.

 

[MapleLeafReefer]

If you want to rule out water quality get an ICP test and do a 100% water change. The rule to "change things slowly" intends to protect the delicate (sensitive to water quality) animals. Since you don't have any of those at the moment there is nothing (except water storage space?) to keep you from doing massive water changes with fresh, clean, wonderful, non-"dirty" water to address that issue outright. If the phosphate is high, the rock will leak that back into the clean water pretty rapidly but any method you use going forward will benefit from the removal of the dissolved portion.

Better yet, advertise and sell the whole system to someone who only wants to keep bubble tips and a "Neem-o" and use the cash to start your next bigger-better candy cane tank!

If you weren't confused before with all this help you must be now?

This is all very helpful. I'm realistic and aware of my limitations. It's okaynto be at the bottom cuz there's only one way to go....UP!! I think before I attempt a 100% change I need to know how bad the phosphate is. Thats a daunting thought

 

[MapleLeafReefer]

Still haven’t seen your salinity… waiting to buy my lotto ticket here.

1.025
Let me know if you win!!

 

[CanuckReefer]

Finger leather - some call it devils hand leather...I think they are one in the same. I have a discus mushroom, a Florida recordia, a couple kenya trees, gsp, and a huge toadstool. And for interest sake I also have a clam. Maxima I think. It also seems happy and is growing nicely

The fact you have a Maxima or any other clam doing so well, says to my eyes, you have some stuff really nailed down. Congrats on that!

Carbon or Chemipure ( carbon on steroids for the layman) is usually just in a bag to add in one of your slots with filtration here or there. It will need something to sort of sit in or slot into in my past experience. I don't run it hardly ever....

 

[MapleLeafReefer]

The fact you have a Maxima or any other clam doing so well, says to my eyes, you have some stuff really nailed down. Congrats on that!

Carbon or Chemipure ( carbon on steroids for the layman) is usually just in a bag to add in one of your slots with filtration here or there. It will need something to sort of sit in or slot into in my past experience. I don't run it hardly ever....

Thank you.
Ok I have activated carbon - and bags! Would you, or anyone else say to.put it pre or post filter socks? I could also.put it just "up stream" or my return pump...

 

[MapleLeafReefer]

I have found that dosing iodide can help dramatically. Salt mixes these days outside of Tropic have very low levels of it.
One other idea is to change carbon a bit more as softees give off a bit of toxins that other corals don't love.

Thanks....
What does the iodine do? How would one measure it?

 

[DiLos Reef]

Thank you.
Ok I have activated carbon - and bags! Would you, or anyone else say to.put it pre or post filter socks? I could also.put it just "up stream" or my return pump...

Definitely post mechanical filtration and before UV. (carbon keeps the quartz sleeve clean in UV. try to put it in a great path or the BRS mini carbon reactor is amazing!

 

[DiLos Reef]

Thanks....
What does the iodine do? How would one measure it?

Several companies make test kits. see em on amazon for about 25$. Great for Zoas. start small and establish slowly. Never overdose anything.

 

[CanuckReefer]

Thank you.
Ok I have activated carbon - and bags! Would you, or anyone else say to.put it pre or post filter socks? I could also.put it just "up stream" or my return pump...

Excellent. Unfortunately I can't help that way as I have no sump. I have a rather simple HOB filter and slot it there if needed. @Rmckoy May be able to advise clearer.

 

[ClownSchool]

Thanks...I have another set of lights I might try. I don't know anything about phosphates but I will investigate. I don't dose the whole tank with reefeoids...just the occasional spot feeding.
Appreciate the feedback

LED lighting can emit the proper par, but between inadequate spectrum and hot spots, can be problematic with certain corals.
I had a biocube with stock lights and couldn’t grow acans or hammers.

 

[Brady4000]

Thank you.
Ok I have activated carbon - and bags! Would you, or anyone else say to.put it pre or post filter socks? I could also.put it just "up stream" or my return pump...

Can’t help you with everything els you got going on. But I can help you with this lol.

Toss the bag of carbon after the filter sock, before the pump. I like Chemi Pure Elite.

Also I wouldn’t over think it. Just where there is flow in your sump is probably a good spot.

 

[CanuckReefer]

I would look at adding chemi pure elite, carbon or activated charcoal.
Adding soft coral or some macro algae. Something to soak up any excess nutrients but yes I think an initial wc would be good. I know my tank could use one. Lol.
D

I'm all about adding softies to export.....it works here. They are my filtration along with some rock lol....

 

[MapleLeafReefer]

Can’t help you with everything els you got going on. But I can help you with this lol.

Toss the bag of carbon after the filter sock, before the pump. I like Chemi Pure Elite.

Also I wouldn’t over think it. Just where there is flow in your sump is probably a good spot.

Thanks you. I probably should has asked the question in a more clear manner. After filter sock - check. But would one reco end it being in a higher flow area if the sump or a lower flow. I don't have a uv light like Dilos Reef mentioned. My sump is filter sock, skimmer compartment and refugium then into return pump. My thought is in fuge for low flow and in slot between fuge and return for higher flow

 

[MapleLeafReefer]

I'm all about adding softies to export.....it works here. They are my filtration along with some rock lol....

I like the idea of adding more softies. Opinions on any great softies appreciated by all...

 

[CanuckReefer]

I pike the idea ofnadd8ng more softies. Opinions on any great softies appreciated by all...

I love em to my own death, so to speak lol.... my tank has Xenia, Kenya Tree both in check as they can spread heavy. More on that technique later.... some of the best are just the basic cheaper mushrooms. They don't get so difficult in terms of keeping under control, very manageable. I would suggest Hairy Mushrooms, or Green Mushrooms to start. In fact I see you down the road in Guelph. I'll drop a few of mine to you for free if you in GTA over next few months. PM me.

 

[CanuckReefer]

I like the idea of adding more softies. Opinions on any great softies appreciated by all...

Here they are the hairy mushrooms in first image, the Xenia and Kenya Trees effectively under control now in second. Nitrate eating machines. All of them