FSU1Dolfan's BioCube 29G

[fsu1dolfan]

Beautiful fish and coral!! Thanks for sharing! Love the blenny and wrasse!!

Thanks!!!

Let us know how the changes go for you.

Definitely will update. I am really hoping these changes will make things right again. Not that i didnt do anything before...but i truly took for granted when thing were going great and always found something that bugged me.

 

[bige]

Looks great. Love all the fish.

 

[fsu1dolfan]

Let us know how the changes go for you.

It has been 3 weeks of dosing and #4 coming up this Friday. The reactor is running nicely and water changes every 2 weeks. The Good - The water clarity is spectacular. It stays clear for much longer and the glass is cleaner for longer. Everything looks very healthy and coral growth is still steady. The Bad - The Red slime is still coming back...not as strong but still steady. Algae is still growing as well. I mainly have very thick algae like turf algae. Every water change i remove as much as i can but it all is still returning.

Yesterday i purchased some RODI from my LFS....mind you for many months now i have been buying from there. When i first purchased the water the TDS was 0. I decided to test it yesterday just on a hunch and i got a reading of 65. So i am going to start buying distilled again. Is it possible that this RODI water is causing the red slime and persistent algae....even with the GFO reactor, new bacteria, and everything else i have been doing to correct this?

Do you think if i change my water to distilled and continue my current regiment that i will see a drastic change?? Honestly i am at the point of buying all new aquacultured live rock. I truly feel that i messed up my live rock after the aquascape last year. Also i havent had hermits for years since they bugged my corals and killed my snails but i am starting to get desperate.

Please Help!!

 

[jtgordon20]

The only thing I see that could be causing it may be the tds from the lfs water. Too help speed the depletion of algae, you can bump up the water change frequency and amount.

 

[fsu1dolfan]

Well it has been a little over a month since my last update and the battle still continues. I guess at the very least i am not spending money on corals LOL.
So here is the latest:
I stopped dosing the Microbe-lift special blend after the 7th dose. I noticed red slime coming back even while i was dosing. It eventually was covering many rocks again. I have noticed that my hair/turf/normal algae has stopped growing...at least slowed down a ton. I am not sure if the red slime was choking out the algae but i am taking it as a positive sign from the GFO in the reactor or the fact that i am only using Distilled water again. I also recently purchased a Hanna phosphate tester that i am going to use this week. Fish and Corals all seem to be doing great BTW.

Yesterday - I completed a 10 gallon water change. Removed 5 gallons then added new 5 gal back and removed 5 gal more and added new 5 gal. It was the easiest way to continue cleaning out the tank at the same time. New GFO and Carbon have been added. Returns have been redirected to a few areas that might be dead spots. Protein skimmer and MP10 were thoroughly cleaned. My lights have been reduced from 5 hours to 3 hours a day. And i have placed an order for Dr. Tim's Refresh and Waste Away.

So this is my next attempt at solving my issue. Feel free to add any comments or suggestions.

 

[skinz78]

Red Slime is a type of Dinoflaggellate, I am actually battling the same thing in my DT. But I am loosing the battle, getting extremely frustrated. I think I am introducing silicates from my RODI even though it shows 0 TDS. I've stopped doing water changes as that fuels the Dino's. Gonna change my DI resin and see if that helps. Seems even with my Kalk drip top off they are getting worse.

 

[fsu1dolfan]

Red Slime is a type of Dinoflaggellate, I am actually battling the same thing in my DT. But I am loosing the battle, getting extremely frustrated. I think I am introducing silicates from my RODI even though it shows 0 TDS. I've stopped doing water changes as that fuels the Dino's. Gonna change my DI resin and see if that helps. Seems even with my Kalk drip top off they are getting worse.

Yeah i agree it is very frustrating. Unfortunately, i have been dealing with all kinds of issues since last August...so i have become desensitized to problems. Also since my corals and fish are doing well right now it doesn't seem that bad as before (page nine of this thread still breaks my heart). After dealing with my own denial and talking with Electrobes, i definitely realize that it probably is a deeper problem and links to my rock. I'm still going to try to fix without changing my rock but it may be the only real solution in the end. Until then, i will continue to update my progress with the products/methods i use. Good luck with your fight and don't give up cuz you have a great tank!!
-Jason

 

[fsu1dolfan]

Update!

So i did a water change on 8/8/10 and i must say things are a million times better. Again though i fail because i have yet to bust out the camera. As for the cyano, there are just very small amounts that pop up. My skimmer is working well and even hair/turf algae has slowed tremenously. I even noticed my bam bams are growing again!!! It has been almost a year but i just placed an order with Planet Zoa and i am heading to a good LFS after work today. I think I am catching the reef bug again now that thing are on the up and up.

I also wanted to note that the only change i made was the RO/DI water from the the LFS. Distilled for almost 2 months and things are practically back to normal. I never did use the Refresh and Waste Away. I am probably going to post a new topic regarding the Waste Away and see if i maybe should use it. I have read some good things regarding algae and cyano. Looking to force out the problems completely now that i have stopped the bleeding.


Anyway - I will posted up pics soon i swear...plus i might have some new livestock to show off!!

 

[fsu1dolfan]

Progression pic time!! I finally got my pictures together from May, June, and September. First, i must say that Dr. Tim's Waste Away is working beautifully. I am only on the second dose (as of last Saturday) but you can see the tank really rebounding nicely!! I am monitoring ALK and PH closely since i have heard others say it could throw things off. I am finally seeing my rock!!

May 2012 -

FTS - Bottom left corner seems to be a low flow area

Closer up you can see the all the algae and slime

More Slime near my Bam Bams which some die off during these few months

June 2012 - You can now see it getting thicker, longer....nastier!! Mind you i was doing 1-2 week water changes and stuff was growing back fast!

Bam Bams still hanging on

September 2012 - Things finally starting to literally waste away. I grabbed a bunch of Turbos before i started the Waste Away and they didn't make much of a dent....after the first 2 doses plus the turbos...well take a look!!

There is a still a couple of spots of slime but greatly reduced and not spreading like before.

Three pics up to compare the same shot!! You can see the branch practically fully exposed to the rock and there are patches on the middle rock. Keep in mind my water change is due...it's been 1.5-2 weeks since last one!!

Underside of the rock work looking good!

Bam Bams looking healthy and starting to grow...Green & Red cap is a recent frag a picked up...hoping they grow a nice contrasted spiral!

Close up on the branches and how much has come off!!

 

[Tabasco1]

Nice progress! How long will the full course take?

 

[fsu1dolfan]

Nice progress! How long will the full course take?

Thanks Tabasco - It has been a really long up hill battle but i feel like things are finally coming around. I am planning on dosing waste away until the cyano is completey gone and doesn't creep back....which shouldn't be that long. Planning a water change this weekend and 3rd dose. I am thinking 4-6 doses should be perfect!

 

[fsu1dolfan]

So i finally pulled the trigger on an LED System. Since i don't have a controller, i knew #1 my options were limited and #2 also expensive since i would have to by a controller or one with it. After following all kinds of LED systems from AI, Radion, DIY Rapid LED, Maxspect, Orphek, Kessil, Marineland, Reef Breeders etc. I eventually choose Reef Breeders 104W Controllable unit. It is just a really good bang for the buck. Here's the link https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/reef-breeders/95653-new-controllable-light.html

Controllability, Cost, and Expandability (for bigger tank one day!) were my biggest factors and i think this light really steps up the competition. Can't wait to try it out over my tank.

 

[ToXIc]

nice!

 

[fsu1dolfan]

nice!

Thanks...cant wait to play around with it!!


New Update: So things start getting better and I now start burning a hole in my pockets....About a month ago things starting turning around and i decided it was time to order some frags. Ordered some zoas from Travis at Planet Zoa (Amazing Vendor BTW) - Went with Kind Midas, Mandarin Oranges, Rastas, 24K Gold, Utter Chaos, and a piece of Starburst Cap. I received everything well packaged yesteday and after a quick dip (Distilled/Iodine) of the zoas only, the frags made it into the tank. The cap looks amazing and the King Midas and Mandarins opened later in the day. Looking forward to heading home to see how the rest are doing. Hoping to get some nice pics!!


The is the only picture i caught on my phone last night. Any one spot my Midas Blenny snooping around LOL

 

[fsu1dolfan]

Update Time:

Bad News first, the Utter Chaos did not make it in my tank It was sad but the good news is everything else is doing great.

The Waste Away product has done wonders for my tank. Unfortunately, i don't have any updated pics of the process since 9/5/12. I will have a full update on the product soon...i have a water change to do and then ill take some update pics.

So while i was slacking on those pictures I have now figured out how to post process raw photos better. Now you guys can see what i see instead of hyper blue everywhere with the actinics on. I must say it is really cool to white balance this stuff properly. What do you think?


King Midas

Mandarin Orange

Bam Bams

Fruit Loops

 

[Saltwatertaylor]

Awesome looking nano! I love your zoas!

 

[fsu1dolfan]

Awesome looking nano! I love your zoas!

Thanks...It has been a long time since i have enjoyed taking pictures of my tank.

 

[fsu1dolfan]

Update: Good News - Bad News....but mostly good news. So lets get the bad stuff outta of the way. I found a jumper last night Flash (my hi fin fairy wrasse) had made his way into my back chambers a couple of times but i never thought he be able to completely get out (less than an inch of a gap my lid has at the edge). Sadly, i was wrong. He will be missed. In other bad news, i have no new pictures of my good news and i will be MIA very shortly so probably no pics for a little bit.


The Good news: I have stopped dosing Waste Away since cyano is completely gone. My nuisance algae is completely under control and getting better with every water change. Not sure if that product is the only reason or it was a combo of things but my tank is back where i want it. Things growing and colors looking great. I also have a new LED light system (from reef breeders) that i will be hooking up in a few weeks. The thing is bright!!! I am also working on a nice looking hanging stand.

Other Good news - I got to visit WWC (Wide World Corals) last week while in Orlando. This store is by far the nicest coral store i have ever seen. I literally was speechless for quite awhile....or mumbling to myself...i want that...i want that...i need that. LOL Ended up with a few nice zoas and a piece of a chalice that reminded me of my old one i lost. Hoping it grows to the same size!!

Well thats a decent review of things for the past month. Hope to share a ton of pics soon.

 

[skinz78]

Sounds awesome, now lets see the pic's:tongue:

 

[Electrobes]

Sounds awesome, now lets see the pic's:tongue:

+1!!