5 months in to the hobby.

[Alaska209]

As the title says I’m only 5 months in to the hobby, there’s been ups and downs but boy am I loving it. Just wanted to post some before and after pictures to show the progress, plus some struggles I’ve been facing.

I’ve been struggling with phosphate levels since the second month, the tank is a fluval 13.5 which I conduct a 10% water change weekly, filter sponge has been removed and replaced with filter floss in chamber 1 which is replace every 3 days. I have also cut back on feeding and scoured the tank looking for anything that may have died with no luck, I’ve been dealing with small amounts of GHA which I’ve been able to keep under control with general maintenance. Although everything looks good, I still would like to figure out what is causing the high levels of phosphate, any feedback is welcome.



Current Stock
- Ocellaris x2
- Hermit Crab x3
- Astrea Snail x1
- Turbo Snail x2
- Nassarius Snail x2

Parameters 5/5/2024
- Ammonia 0
- Nitrite 0
- Nitrate 1-2
- Phosphate .39
- PH 8.2
- Alkalinity 9.1
- Temp 78°
- Salinity 35



October Day 1

January

January

May 5th

May 5th

 

[littlefoxx]

As the title says I’m only 5 months in to the hobby, there’s been ups and downs but boy am I loving it. Just wanted to post some before and after pictures to show the progress, plus some struggles I’ve been facing.

I’ve been struggling with phosphate levels since the second month, the tank is a fluval 13.5 which I conduct a 10% water change weekly, filter sponge has been removed and replaced with filter floss in chamber 1 which is replace every 3 days. I have also cut back on feeding and scoured the tank looking for anything that may have died with no luck, I’ve been dealing with small amounts of GHA which I’ve been able to keep under control with general maintenance. Although everything looks good, I still would like to figure out what is causing the high levels of phosphate, any feedback is welcome.



Current Stock
- Ocellaris x2
- Hermit Crab x3
- Astrea Snail x1
- Turbo Snail x2
- Nassarius Snail x2

Parameters 5/5/2024
- Ammonia 0
- Nitrite 0
- Nitrate 1-2
- Phosphate .39
- PH 8.2
- Alkalinity 9.1
- Temp 78°
- Salinity 35



October Day 1

January

January

May 5th

May 5th

Uh youre only 5 months in the hobby and have SPS corals that look like that??? Wow thats a huge accomplishment! Beautiful tank!

 

[Alaska209]

Uh youre only 5 months in the hobby and have SPS corals that look like that??? Wow thats a huge accomplishment! Beautiful tank!

Thanks! I got the frag from a local reefer who was also surprised as his did not look anything like this. Got lucky I guess.

 

[littlefoxx]

Thanks! I got the frag from a local reefer who was also surprised as his did not look anything like this. Got lucky I guess.

Thats crazy! But congrats on that tank. Looks like that coral has grown a lot!

 

[19Mateo83]

Great progress! That digi is loving life in your care.

 

[Nano_Man]

Doing a great job plenty of growth from your corals . Phosphate is a pain for most people but on the other hand if your reef is looking good coral wise why change anything. Only when I see something unhappy I test and resolve the problem hopefully. Don’t chase numbers if your reef is thriving. Phosphate binds to rocks sand . Put it this way you could get your phosphate down and everything in your tank looks unhappy. Every tank run different and what works for yu might not work for someone else. Enjoy your journey and again great job

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

The phosphate might be leaching from the rocks, looks like you started with dry white rocks. You can look into using phosphate remover like rowa phos or liquid remover like phosphate-E.

Nitrate level is very low, too close to zero. Personally I would not cut back on feeding, the corals use the fish poop for food, and it will also help increase the nitrate which is too low now.

green algae is still very normal in a 5 months old tank, so don't worry about trying to get rid of it altogether

 

[Gumbies R Us]

As the title says I’m only 5 months in to the hobby, there’s been ups and downs but boy am I loving it. Just wanted to post some before and after pictures to show the progress, plus some struggles I’ve been facing.

I’ve been struggling with phosphate levels since the second month, the tank is a fluval 13.5 which I conduct a 10% water change weekly, filter sponge has been removed and replaced with filter floss in chamber 1 which is replace every 3 days. I have also cut back on feeding and scoured the tank looking for anything that may have died with no luck, I’ve been dealing with small amounts of GHA which I’ve been able to keep under control with general maintenance. Although everything looks good, I still would like to figure out what is causing the high levels of phosphate, any feedback is welcome.



Current Stock
- Ocellaris x2
- Hermit Crab x3
- Astrea Snail x1
- Turbo Snail x2
- Nassarius Snail x2

Parameters 5/5/2024
- Ammonia 0
- Nitrite 0
- Nitrate 1-2
- Phosphate .39
- PH 8.2
- Alkalinity 9.1
- Temp 78°
- Salinity 35



October Day 1

January

January

May 5th

May 5th

Your coral are doing great for 5 months!