Mike's Red Sea Reefer 525 XL build

[mta_morrow]

Up until this spike, 20 months in, I dosed at night before I went to bed, 1 dose per day

 

[najer]

I skim a bit wetter because of carbon dosing as that is how you remove most of the bacteria then. Really does nothing with the skimmer, as in it don’t go crazy or anything. Foam production increases dramatically, but no overflowing.

Ok I get the theory, I just cleaned the cup and reset my nyos 160, would it not work better if you skimmed dryer?

 

[mta_morrow]

Ok I get the theory, I just cleaned the cup and reset my nyos 160, would it not work better if you skimmed dryer?

So, I have taken the advice of experienced users and skim wet. I have noticed if you skim dryer, the inside of the skimmer body builds up with much more mulm or bacteria slime, making it less efficient.
I also like to skim wet and empty more often as then I can add a gallon or 2 of fresh SW every week.

 

[najer]

So, I have taken the advice of experienced users and skim wet. I have noticed if you skim dryer, the inside of the skimmer body builds up with much more mulm or bacteria slime, making it less efficient.
I also like to skim wet and empty more often as then I can add a gallon or 2 of fresh SW every week.

I should have got a pic of my cup neck before I emptied it, all that neck build up is like dry skimming,, any crap you can wipe off is skimate no mater where it is?!

 

[mta_morrow]

I should have got a pic of my cup neck before I emptied it, all that neck build up is like dry skimming,, any crap you can wipe off is skimate no mater where it is?!

I will get some pics of the white bacteria slime you get when carbon dosing. It’s like white snot. I’m not talking in the cup. I mean inside the body of the skimmer.
it’s likes to collect and grow on plastics and nylon.
as soon as I get back to work, I have an idea to create a place for the bacteria to grow and flourish and be easily removable.

 

[najer]

I will get some pics of the white bacteria slime you get when carbon dosing. It’s like white snot. I’m not talking in the cup. I mean inside the body of the skimmer.
it’s likes to collect and grow on plastics and nylon.
as soon as I get back to work, I have an idea to create a place for the bacteria to grow and flourish and be easily removable.

That is very helpful for someone at my lfs, he described exactly that, I had never come across anything like it before!

 

[RichtheReefer21]

Frustration galore for u lately mike. Especially since ur params were rock solid for months. Even in ur absence for work etc... so strange how things can get out of whack for no apparent reason. The headaches trying to figure it out are downright obnoxious.

Hope u find the balance soon or the increase in NoPox shows results.

 

[mta_morrow]

I do believe the NoPox kicked in. I emptied the cup at 9 pm and here it is at 7:30 am. Lots of foam! No adjustments made to the skimmer.

 

[najer]

That's disgusting, nice work!

 

[mta_morrow]

Still bringing nutrients down but I’m still happy. And so is the tank!

 

[mta_morrow]

Added an additional 30 ml NoPox to the daily dose and 5 ml of LC.

Testing planned for Sunday morning.

 

[mta_morrow]

The latest coastal addition kinda likes the tank parameters! New growth spreading fast! Always waving hello!

Violet cespitularia.

 

[mta_morrow]

And for today:

 

[mta_morrow]

Testing is in! Nitrates cut in half in 3 days! Down to 32ppm. Was 60+ I will just let the doser run at 40 ml NoPox per day and no more “shots” in addition to normal dosing.

phosphate down to .006! was .126 Wednesday. I dose 5 ml of LC and it dropped it hard! To low for my liking but I’m learning how to use this stuff. May feed a few pellets and flakes for snacks.

Alk is up to 8.8. I will cut back a bit on the doser and let it come back down to 8-8.5.

Tank is happy and everything is looking great!

 

[Fudsey]

SWEET ! ! ! Congrats ! ! !

 

[RichtheReefer21]

Looking good mike! Wheres the pic of the finished ribs?

 

[mta_morrow]

Looking good mike! Wheres the pic of the finished ribs?

Uhhhhhh..........I ate them before I could take a pic

 

[mta_morrow]

SWEET ! ! ! Congrats ! ! !

It was a good learning experience! Still need nitrates to come down a bit and need to get them stable and balanced again. I love this hobby!

 

[RichtheReefer21]

Uhhhhhh..........I ate them before I could take a pic

Unacceptable.

 

[mta_morrow]

Unacceptable.

It is what it is. You need to accept it