Hey everyone, I've been reading from R2R for almost a year now and finally hit the point where I need everyone's specific expertise. I noticed some corals were shrinking and seemed slightly off. But all the other corals and critters seem great (GSP spreading like hotcakes). As a result, I noticed some chemistry issues, and then we got a decent algae bloom in the main and some cyano in the sump.
BLUF: 95G System, extremely low Mag, high Nitrate/Phosphates (Tried GFO, water changes, alt food, etc., now using NOPOX), and it seems ridiculous that I need to dose hundreds of ml for the mag, etc. Want to get solid with dosing and would love to know your recommendations for daily maximums and products you use. I'm leaning towards Red Sea Foundation A, B, C. Also, any other advice would be amazing.
Details:
I noticed my nitrates and phosphates were really high (>50 & 0.9), and the mag was extremely low (300/1350). So, after trying GFO, water changes, and alternative food, I dove into dosing for the first time and now feel overwhelmed. Below is what I have for parameters and tank setup, but there's so much info out there that I wanted to get some direct advice.
Todays Tests: Salinity 1.024; ca 400; mag 300; alk 7 dkh. 0 ammonia or nitrite, but 40-50 nitrates and phosphates around 0.36. Using Hanna testers and Red Sea kits as well as verification with LFS. Started NOPOX two days ago after 25% water changes every 3-4 days, reduced feeding, and cheto replacements every 8-10 days with limited results.
Setup: 95-gallon system, a 75-gallon main w/20-gallon sump with a small refugium. I use instant ocean salt or buy salt water from my LFS for larger water changes. 95% sure I have my sump dialed in, and all the other "gear" is working well.
Corals: I have a mixed reef with GSP, mixed Mushrooms, a green torch, pulsing xenia, gorgonian, and a small zoa frag.
Critters: 2 clowns, 2 Bangai Cardinals, 6 Green Chromis, 6-line wrasse, a watchman goby, pistol shrimp, 3 firefish, two urchins (Juvenile Tuxedos), two crabs (porcelain and emerald), a fire shrimp, 8 bubble tip nems (Split last month, waiting to offload 4-5 to friends), 2 rock flower nims, some turbo snails, and nerite snails for the cleaning crew. So, it's pretty stocked, and it's about 14 months old now. Started slow and steady, adding either a critter or coral every month or so, but have no intentions of adding any more, maybe downsizing if it's needed.
Any tips, tricks, or advice is welcome and greatly appreciated!
R/
Ethan
BLUF: 95G System, extremely low Mag, high Nitrate/Phosphates (Tried GFO, water changes, alt food, etc., now using NOPOX), and it seems ridiculous that I need to dose hundreds of ml for the mag, etc. Want to get solid with dosing and would love to know your recommendations for daily maximums and products you use. I'm leaning towards Red Sea Foundation A, B, C. Also, any other advice would be amazing.
Details:
I noticed my nitrates and phosphates were really high (>50 & 0.9), and the mag was extremely low (300/1350). So, after trying GFO, water changes, and alternative food, I dove into dosing for the first time and now feel overwhelmed. Below is what I have for parameters and tank setup, but there's so much info out there that I wanted to get some direct advice.
Todays Tests: Salinity 1.024; ca 400; mag 300; alk 7 dkh. 0 ammonia or nitrite, but 40-50 nitrates and phosphates around 0.36. Using Hanna testers and Red Sea kits as well as verification with LFS. Started NOPOX two days ago after 25% water changes every 3-4 days, reduced feeding, and cheto replacements every 8-10 days with limited results.
Setup: 95-gallon system, a 75-gallon main w/20-gallon sump with a small refugium. I use instant ocean salt or buy salt water from my LFS for larger water changes. 95% sure I have my sump dialed in, and all the other "gear" is working well.
Corals: I have a mixed reef with GSP, mixed Mushrooms, a green torch, pulsing xenia, gorgonian, and a small zoa frag.
Critters: 2 clowns, 2 Bangai Cardinals, 6 Green Chromis, 6-line wrasse, a watchman goby, pistol shrimp, 3 firefish, two urchins (Juvenile Tuxedos), two crabs (porcelain and emerald), a fire shrimp, 8 bubble tip nems (Split last month, waiting to offload 4-5 to friends), 2 rock flower nims, some turbo snails, and nerite snails for the cleaning crew. So, it's pretty stocked, and it's about 14 months old now. Started slow and steady, adding either a critter or coral every month or so, but have no intentions of adding any more, maybe downsizing if it's needed.
Any tips, tricks, or advice is welcome and greatly appreciated!
R/
Ethan