Recent content by ShipMate

The problem is that you will not know the exact composition/purity of these fertilizers. You will run the risk of adding compounds that could be lethal to some corals or invertebrates (like copper for example).

I also keep a 375 gal tank, mixed with lps sps soft corals and various fishes. There is a lot of controversy about which way to go, mainly because those corals have very different requirements. Sps do better in pristine waters with low nutrients: ie barebottom+high to very high flow+live...

I had a similar problem in the past, that was solved by only adding the 2 part bionic from esv. It took several day to raise both alk and ca. You will have to measure those both daily as well of course. Check your magnesium level also. Salifert and LaMotte test kits are the most reliable imho

Your sand bed is not deep enough (4" is commonly recommended) Make sure that you get some nice live sand from someone else, detritivore 'kits' also are recommended. Having a refugium with caulerpa or chaetomorpha that you would harvest periodically would help a lot Clams (like Derasas) help a...

...my wife storming out to visit her best friend...since "You pay more attention to your reeftank.."

I had a similar PC set up for my refugium. The blue was of no benefit to algae growth and replacing it with a lower k bulb (white/yellow) made considerable difference in growth rate. hope that helps. Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all I am currently in the process of setting up a 180 gal with a cryptic 100 gal refugium as described by Steve Tyree. LRocks have 5 weeks of curing, all the sponges are doing well. From what I understand the very delicate EG system will not support a lot of fishes (maybe...

Elevated phosphate levels have been associated with cyano blooms for me. Resolved by eliminating phospate with "Kent Phosphate sponge" placed in a canister filter for 6 to 8 h. This has been true more then once. I see results the next day or so. I realize (before i get my ... kicked, here) that...

Mine is sitting on the sand, with the reasoning that: more exposed rock = more biofiltration. Covered rock is basically dead. no problems as far as stability if carefully arranged imo.

I switched from a 24/7 to a 14h on/10h off reverse cycle with the tank and the caulerpa in particular looks much healthier with more growth then before although not a spectacular change as far as growth imo. 'hope this helps.

"the Nitrate sponge" (from Kent?) might work but it requires a long long time to show its effect (weeks) and requires a low flow canister. Frequent water changes and a refugium with macroalgae did the trick for me .

Also tried here 55 gal with lps and 'shroom survival but NO growth..slight problem with nitrates, phosphates, unable to feed much. Would certainly NOT recommend this system. Currently upgrading to a decent system with MH + VHO actinic 03, sump added as well...trust the experienced reefers on...

I had the same problem with a noisy sump. Fixed with the use of a larger diameter (1.5 " vinyl hose) that fall directly in the sump below water level i placed a 16 oz Mayonaise glass container on the tip of the hose serving as a "baffle" so the flow would not disturb the live sand and critters...

I built mine following the directions at the site below. It wasnt too easy to fit more then the 50ft of tubing required in it. It started working fine for several weeks (drop in Nitrates) but had a leak from the upper seal recently...In the process of contemplating repair vrs rebuilding...

Hey I have a VERY similar set up (with less animals) BUT: nitrates are a problem for me...good luck!