Today marks the last day with the 300

mike_dani · Dec 2, 2011

Well folks tonight at 7pm the Metal Halides will extinguish for the last time. I have had some SPS issues with the 300 and I contribute it to Bio Pellets, I added them in June of this year and the SPS have declined to the point that I only was able to save my red planet table:cry: I have decided that this tank will be drained for some unknown amount of time, due to a re-silicone job that is needed. I once had a foxface that had a thing for silicone and ate most of it all out of the corners, if it wasn't 300 gallons I wouldn't worry about it but you know that's a bunch of darn H2O2 on the floor.

I have also decided I am going 100% DIY LEDs on this monster 216 in total, it will be awesome. The rock work will be replaced with three different types of rock Marco, Tonga Branch and some shelf pieces. The sump will be modified to accommodate a bigger skimmer and a full blown ATS.

I will also be going off of the deep end again and will cycle the tank with a product called Dr. Tims one and only live bacteria. I have used this many times and fully believe it works however this will be the first time I get to look at the tank it cycles everyday.

I will add my LED build as it goes and all other builds as they take place, it will be fun. (for me at least)

Troylee · Dec 2, 2011

That sucks man... Well good luck on the rebuild... Should be exciting..1smile1

mike_dani · Dec 2, 2011

Troylee said:
That sucks man... Well good luck on the rebuild... Should be exciting..1smile1

Troy its been bad I should have listened to you about the bio pellets, but you know live and learn.

Dowtish · Dec 2, 2011

If you don't mind me asking, what pellets were you using and what exactly happend?

pickupman66 · Dec 3, 2011

Mike. Hate to hear about the full teardown but I agree 100% with what u are doing. Let me know if u need my help on anything.

gflat65 · Dec 3, 2011

I was about to ask how things were turning around since the Chloramine incident just the other day. Sorry to hear about the tank tear down. Hopefully, it'll only be bigger and better when you get it all done. If I could sell some coral, I'd be going to LED's over the 280, too. Every time I think I've got enough saved up, something comes up and takes my money

. Gotta love this addiction.

mike_dani · Dec 5, 2011

Dowtish said:
If you don't mind me asking, what pellets were you using and what exactly happend?

I was using a name brand pellet, and without smashing ones pellet over another this is what happened for me. I added 25% of the amount that it said to use and slowly added to about 65% level, one thing about N&P pellets is they will lower your alk and potassium. I kept track of all parameters but watch the two mentioned a lot closer than I would normally had. At first I was very happy with them due to the clarity of water the non detectable trates and phates. Now after about 12 weeks I noticed one of my sps colonies started to STN so I check all params and they were great, then did a 15% water change and it didnt slow down. The colony slowly turn completely albino and was gone, a few weeks later I noticed one more that started and this time it was RTN the next morning it and two others were completely gone. in a mater of 3 weeks I went from over 100 pieces of SPS down to three once they started there was no stopping them.

During this time I was in contact with the manufacturer of the pellets and they were making sure I was doing it all the correct way. Their big concern was that I would drop my low trates and phates to quickly, well they do work they will remove anything you want from your system and some things you don't.

Dowtish · Dec 15, 2011

Wow man, I just got sick to my stomach reading that. I am currently running bio-pellets on my tank, along with about 6 more folks I know in my club. I think 2 of us have been running them for over a year at this point. I hope this isnt the fate for all of us, but only time will tell.

God luck with your new build, it sounds like it will be amazing. I am planning on having a "fish room" one day, and at that time I will be building a full blown ATS as well. Can't wait to follow along.