obrien.david.j

11 hours ago, Chief said:

Holy blast from the past.  Just a little backstory.   I had just finished my 3 year presidential run and was stepping down.  A guy named Kevin if I remember correctly took over as President.  Not long after he started he hacked the site, deleted everything and replaced the website with a xxx picture.  I can’t even recall why he did it.  We had a very recent backup and got the site back up in a couple of hours.  Kevin disappeared and Kris stepped up and became President.  It was very touch and go before Kris stepped up.  There were even talks about dissolving the club.  Thanks again for being there when the club needed you.   

That's some interesting history!

Here's a two year view of my rockwork.  (this is the 36" end of my 6' long tank)  A couple of colonies have come and gone.  And a couple of colonies have gotten Big.   I'm starting to think about when and where to prune again.

Dec 2020

Sept 2021  (Yes, Dino's!)

Aug 2022

June 2023

I prefer the // effect of option A.   But, could the two rocks be pulled slightly farther apart - but still maintain the canyon like view?

@Lexinverts - I enjoyed your talk, and am still wrapping my head around Captiv8.  What I hadn't understood previously is Captiv8 has formulated their elements to be mixable into a single solution, which you then can auto-dose all month long.

By contrast, the MoonshinersReef system I'm following does not let you mix elements - explained in the handbook.   The system is, once a month take an ICP.  Enter results into excel.  Results are broken into two parts.   First, a group of elements to just add Right Now.  (eg, 100ml of Barium, 27ml Strontium, ...)   Second, a group of elements (called Daily's) that are intended to be added every day (eg, 12 drops iodine, 10ml iron, ...).   Dailies are Dosable, but it's like 6 elements, I'd need 6 dosers.  I've been doing it by hand.

Like Captiv8, Moonshiners system works with Any other method you'd like to do all month long.  Do water changes, Don't.   Supplement with some other elements along the way, or Don't.  Use 2part, Calcium Reactor, Kalk - doesn't matter.    The excel calculator based on ICP test at the end of the month, helps balance out what else is needed.   In my case, no regular water changes, and using a Calc Reactor and Kalk with my ATO.  Every week, I'm adding KZ Coral system 1/2/4 (historical reason, am trying to stay steady)

What I appreciate about reef moonshiners system, is the Handbook.  Even if you don't follow the system, it's worth reading it.   

Links:

ReefMoonShiners homepage: https://www.reefmoonshiners.com/

Handbook and Excel Calculator: https://www.reefmoonshiners.com/handbook-tools

I've also spent the $5 for the coral coloration ebook from Andre (creator of moonshiners)

https://andremueller.e-junkie.com/product/1538148/AndreE28099s-Reef-Guide---Coral-Colorization-Part231

37 minutes ago, Rhapsody Reef said:

I figured if I was going to do this I might as well dive in head first. It helps to have another demanding hobby/profession that keeps you at home so much! 
 

Wow, that’s a fun way to keep track of them, I’ll have to try that once I finish getting everything glued to the rock once they settle in.  I have everything memorized at the moment and have a PowerPoint slide of everything that’s gone in the tank. I like documenting it all. 

I have everything memorized, when I plant it.  And then a few months later... I don't have it memorized.

I now have a system, where I photo document corals/livestock as I buy it.   So I also get better source info.

- For example, I have three different colonies of Oregon Tort.  They're starting to look different.  It was good to know who each came from, and have a conversation with them.

Sticks is right!   My favorite.  You've definitely jumped in with both feet, at once. I love it.     

Welcome to the hobby, and thanks for posting about your setup.  If you want to see my inventory;  (which is before I ran out of Nitrate.   Colors are still a touch muted.)

9 hours ago, Rhapsody Reef said:

@obrien.david.j

Fascinating thread, thanks for all the sharing and documentation! Have you noticed any changes in your corals since dosing phyto to your reef? And what have you found to be the best time to add?

It's been a while since starting this thread.   Here's what I can say, I like the results I'm getting!   I monitor more, are more careful with keeping things under control, and keep a more consistent supply of nutrients in the tank.   ... Until the last 1-2months....

Nitrates (>100) and Phosphate were high for >6months, but balanced.   Coral frags grew like crazy.  No complaints (search for some of my other posts).  I noticed my nitrates and phosphates coming down slightly, but still super elevated (>50).   Got busy, didn't test for the past two months.   Coral colors declined, so I tested last week.  Zero Nitrate, 0.034 Phosphate.   Since then, I've been been dosing NO3/PO4 and testing daily.   Coral colors came back within 48hrs of having non-zero nitrate.   Amazing.

Through all of this, I've continued phyto dosing.  Always around 6-7am, before the lights come on.   It's just my time of getting something done before work.  My logic was while the polyps were out.   But have no controlled experiment.

Growing phyto has been easy process.   I started by buying a system, basically sticking with their recipe and products, and learning only a few things.  (more vigorous airflow and 2nd dosing fertizlier after 1wk)   I'm still going.   Why would I deprive the tank of an easy and diverse foodsource.

It's a beautiful tank.  I've helped move it.  I love the look and how strong water box builds look.   

17 hours ago, Vis said:

I’ll pay up tomorrow 😊

It's easier to renew your membership from your computer, than your phone.    You need to log in to do it.

1 hour ago, Lexinverts said:

Still 5 spots left for Raja Rampage chalice frags. Only $20 for supporting members!

Come on everyone.  This is the one group buy that also supports the club.   (the others go directly to UpScales, our host).    Support you club, Buy a new Coral. 

This should be a good talk.  I did a few ICP tests a while ago, but didn't really know what to do with the results.  I've read about Captiv8 and heard good things.   I'm currently using Reef Moonshiners system, which is analogous.  In both systems, you get a feel what to do with ICP test results. 

Good looking shots.  I see lots of primates and birds.   What city was home base in Malaysia?

On 8/10/2023 at 7:26 PM, Coug Reef said:

Anacropora is gone.  
 

Still have hydnophora $60 if anyone is interested.  

I also just accidentally broke off a big chunk of blue tip stag if anyone wants it.  $30

Nice stag!   And a very generous price. 

Time to post the code, and clarify what accessories are included in the code.   

On 8/12/2023 at 8:31 AM, Lexinverts said:

Time for an update!

I tried counting...  Do I see 19 different goni colonies?    These look awesome, I'm going to try a bit more gonis on the floor of my tank too.

Count me in for three items

• Group A:  Raja Rampage Chalice
• Group B: Mai Tai Goniopora
• Group C: Rainbow Goniopora

Harvest #38 complete! (August 12th)

- Easy Summary, no change to procedures, same good results, including 100% Poseidon Reef Fertilizer.   Longer than normal time between harvests.  Turned out fine.

-Took an interesting picture.  Dark bottles of harvested Tetraselmis phyto, next to light colored culture jars freshly restarted.   Using about 250ml of harvest to restart each ~1gallon jar.  (slightly under a gallon)

4 hours ago, Jeff.Tichenor said:

I decided to try the Oxalinic Acid treatment for a potential bacterial infection.

I am using the same dosage as others have tried, 0.5gr per 10 gallons. So 8 grams for my 160 gallon system per treatment. I am treating it 3 times, every other day.

Treatments were done without any mechanical filtration or skimming. UV was off and no carbon or GFO was in use. I did leave the algae scrubber on. I turned back on the skimmer and filter roller 24hrs after each treatment.

I just finished the third and treatment yesterday. Later today I will do a 20% water change. I'll probably do another 20% water change in a couple days unless nutrient levels are too low.

Any noticable Negative effects?

Great!   Will be there, and looking forward to it.

1 hour ago, Lexinverts said:

Looking at all of the data here, the high pH is the only thing that jumps out at me. I would try to keep your pH between 8.3 and 8.5. You might have stressed the corals with the high pH and now you have some bacterial infections jumping around the tank. Correct the pH and monitor closely.

... and now you have some bacterial infections...   I point you to my RTN thread.   I'm liking this treatment.

2 hours ago, Jeff.Tichenor said:

This myogi tort is the worst

I have a miyagi tort and a WWC yellow tip tort that both started doing a little of the same thing.  Not this extensive, but started a bit of the same way.  Stopped, hasn't progressed.

3 hours ago, elperron said:

What kind of trouble with AB?

I wasn't watching things carefully, but I attribute my AB usage to a nutrient freefall, recovery, freefall, Cyano outbreak, Dino outbreak, ...  Basically destabilized, and I wasn't watching.    I Now Watch!   Moved to Moonshiners, add bacteria, Phyto, regular testing, ...   Things I wasn't before.

1 minute ago, Jeff.Tichenor said:

I do not use a calcium reactor which also helps keep ph up.

Bingo.  Key difference between us.

23 minutes ago, Jeff.Tichenor said:

Thanks, @obrien.david.j. I run kalk, brs soda ash, Tropic marin A & K & part C, brs calcium, brs mag.

I've been adding acro power manually weekly for several months. I ran out about 4 weeks ago and now adding Redsea AB every few days.

Correct, my other corals are doing fine - digis, gonis, montis, lps, torches, etc. Even slimers are fine. Only acros unhappy.

I got into into trouble big time in 2021 when I started adding RedSea AB.   I'm now gunshy.

And How Do you get your pH soo high?   Are you running 100% of ATO through Kalk (I am), and doing it throughout the day?   Any other wisdom? 

In my case, my ambient CO2 is almost always <500.   Sump/Skimmer/etc is all connected to outside fresh air via the garage.   So no stuffyness.

Sorry to hear your SPS are unhappy.    I have my ups and downs, and can be frustrating.   I'm also not a guru on understanding the conditions and zero'ing in on issues/improvement paths.   Maybe @Lexinverts or @CuttleFishandCoral or @goldenbasketreef will chime in.

I don't see any problems with your Alk (~8.5), NO3/PO4/Ca/Mg.  I too wonder how high pH can get before it's a problem, but I don't see people running >= 8.5 often - so I'd treat it as possible/likely antagonist.

When I hit mysteries i try to address possible stressors.    Activated Carbon is always on my list of <use fresh carbon in case there's something weird in my water>.   At the same time, possibly backing off lighting duration for a few weeks.  What additives are you doing?   Any Aminos - Every time I try these it's like playing with fire.  (so I currently don't add, but have plenty of other coral feeding sources)     I know this input feels generic.

Key question, are SPS the only things unhappy - is everything else looking fine?   Your description doesn't sounds like it, but I cant tell.  Losing color, burnt tips, recession at the base.    I'm starting to think Bacterial when my SPS get unhappy alone.    (thread attached below)    

Attaching my Alk and pH trends, so you can compare.  BTW, my Calcium Reactor is controlled against a Alk target of 9.0.  (Alk measured every 6hrs, via Trident)   I get the biggest daily swings after I refill my Kalk reactor with CaOH - which is applied during daily ATO cycle between Midnight-7am.

My RTN/STN thread