My Acro collection/ Lagoon

[Reefahholic]

Good morning,
I have stated in several previous posts, dating back over several months to a year or more, that I never wanted to run elevated N03. Unfortunately, something in the 90 gallon locked them in, I am of belief that rock, and sand both were saturated with both N03 and P04. That said, I still maintained good color and growth, but ONLY water changes lowered.
Once the sand was removed, I saw #'s that I hadn't seen in quite a spell, finally both N03 and P04 seemed more manageable. Unfortunately, pulling the sand shifted the biome, and the "D" word swiftly followed. That word is not allowed in my home, lol...
My new system was tested yesterday, and I saw my lowest #'s yet, 7ppm N03, and 0.00 ppm P04. I immediately dosed 5ml of phosphorus and will test today, 24 hours later. I am curious to see the P04, and will not test N03 until normal test day, Saturday. For now, I will test P04 daily along side alk.
I do think that the colors will likely shift to more pastel, which I actually prefer, but many hobbyist have complimented my deeply saturated colors for years, so I kind of gave up on the pastel look, lol. It's achieved by low n03 and p04, along side heavy metal dosing. I don't think these are starving corals, just what the new indoctrinated belief system has shifted to, that corals die with zero nutrients and pastel is bleaching....
Cheers

Very good. Yes, I agree removing the sand can definitely help lower the NO3 especially when the rock and sand are leaching. Maybe you just got some rich sand. Either way, I’m glad you got it out. I think it’s better to have tighter control over the nutrients because you can experiment more.

 

[Reefahholic]

I immediately dosed 5ml of phosphorus and will test today, 24 hours later.

What source of phosphorus are you dosing? 5 mL equates to _____ ppm?

 

[Perry]

What source of phosphorus are you dosing? 5 mL equates to _____ ppm?

Seachem.
Follow up teas to 5ml dose 24 hours later=0.00ppm
I dosed 5ml again, and will repeat tomorrow. 24 hours later
I still feed quite heavy, 3 cubes a day, equivalent, as I use 2 cubes Hikari and quarter size LRS Reef Frenzy.
So the extra dose is that, I know there is phosphate in the system, but appreciate controlling up versus down.
I added mangroves on reverse photo period, hopefully they will help with stabilizing ph. 8.0-8.3 isn't bad though. The mangroves, plus rock in the sump will help biologically as well.

 

[Reefahholic]

Seachem.
Follow up teas to 5ml dose 24 hours later=0.00ppm
I dosed 5ml again, and will repeat tomorrow. 24 hours later
I still feed quite heavy, 3 cubes a day, equivalent, as I use 2 cubes Hikari and quarter size LRS Reef Frenzy.
So the extra dose is that, I know there is phosphate in the system, but appreciate controlling up versus down.
I added mangroves on reverse photo period, hopefully they will help with stabilizing ph. 8.0-8.3 isn't bad though. The mangroves, plus rock in the sump will help biologically as well.

Seachem is Potassium Phosphate.

The formula for a specific PO4 increase is 0.8VP=M.

Where V=Volume of tank in gallons, P=desired phosphate increase, and M=volume of product to use in mL.

Example:
To raise 20 gallons by 0.1 mg/L phosphate you would use:

0.8x20x0.1=1.6mL

So what is your total volume and let’s see how much this thing is gonna drink in ppm. mg/L is equal to ppm.

 

[Perry]

Seachem is Potassium Phosphate.

The formula for a specific PO4 increase is 0.8VP=M.

Where V=Volume of tank in gallons, P=desired phosphate increase, and M=volume of product to use in mL.

Example:
To raise 20 gallons by 0.1 mg/L phosphate you would use:

0.8x20x0.1=1.6mL

So what is your total volume and let’s see how much this thing is gonna drink in ppm. mg/L is equal to ppm.

I am guessing 135 total gallons for volume.
Obviously the new water, to offset using all available water from my 90 gallon tank lowered nutrients.
I suspect the sustained lowered nutrients is the bacteria seeding all new glass and plastics throughout the new system + nitrifying and Probiotic bacteria additions are consuming all available P04.
That said, I know between feeding and 5ml/cupful of phosphorus, that the corals have access.
The "D" word seems to have fully broken, most little to non-impacted corals are returning to full glory, the pics above were pretty close to before sand removal.
The struggling corals are mending, but took a hit. I will be surprised not to lose a handful, but I've seen worse, so maybe the little tissue remains on these holds on, but pretty rough. That includes the Hung's Rainbow, so kind of sad about that, but my Jawdropper looks amazing, and didn't skip a beat.
I will post my daily P04 result later today, as to get a 24 hour system usage reading.
Thanks for the interest in the journey

 

[Graffiti Spot]

Oh man makes me miss my marineland cube. Looking like this one’s going to blow up with growth! Looking forward to it!

 

[Obdoc63]

That Battlegum is BEAutiful

Here are some photos taken today, I would like to track the collection here on this journal. Thanks for joining the journey

BC Raindrops on Roses

OG Sunset Milli

BC Battlegum Milli

BC Toast of London Milli

JF Fox Flame

Pearlberry

TSA Bill Murray

TSA Fruity Pebbles

Tyree Pink Lemonade

Tangie Girl

Tyree Mango Rainbow

 

[Perry]

Nutrient update:
N03- 7.8ppm
P04- 0.04ppm

N03 holding tight for first 3 days of the tank transfer to the lagoon. I have added 10 ml of seachem phosphorus to avoid a bottoming out. Feeding the same amount of fish food, as to keep consistency for observation of nutrient levels. I added 2.5ml phosphorus after 0.04ppm result. Now that I have a registered # in P04, I will hold steady and feed.
Since transfer, I have been adding AF Probiotic bacteria at 4 drops, and their carbon source at 4 drops. This is only for transition purposes and not my intention for long-term nutrient control. Hopefully, the added volume, skimmer, and mangroves will be sufficient for low nutrient environment.

Filtration/ Reef Room is taking form, the tank sits 9n the other side of the Filtration zone. The mess will not be pardoned, lol, it's a part of my ability to enjoy the madness,

Yeah I have a new ceiling fan, if you caught the missing blade...
The long-term goal is to guide the system to run naturally, so the added mangroves and plans to add more rock to the sump coming. In the mean time, I recognize that things could get wompy with the biome, carbon/bacteria are to aid in this process, as the fight for new surface area in pipes, glass, and plastics ensue, my goal is to pump the good guys in and feed them. I suspect that in a few weeks, I will slowly transition off dosing. I have pretty much decided to use bacteria from PNS, but maybe just monthly. Here's a few picks of the Filtration zone.

As you can see, it appears like a lot is going on, yet quite simple.
1. UV in place to aid in controlling possible traces of the "D" word, possibly looming, as a precaution.
2. I-TECH 200 protein skimmer from early 2000's, this thing is a BEAST!
3. passive sock of AF Carbon
4. Mangroves
5. Filter sock
That's the filtration. I am dripping kalkwasser for fresh water replenishment at full saturation. I am also using a C02 scrubber, for now, but not sure it's doing much. 8.0 low, 8.3 high.

 

[Perry]

Oh man makes me miss my marineland cube. Looking like this one’s going to blow up with growth! Looking forward to it!

I had the Marineland 70 cube, so this one was always on my mind, as I have wanted a cube since
Thanks for looking over the journal Paul!

 

[Perry]

That Battlegum is BEAutiful

Thank you, it's quite unique with the cone shape, love this one too, thanks for checking things out!

 

[Reefahholic]

I am guessing 135 total gallons for volume.
Obviously the new water, to offset using all available water from my 90 gallon tank lowered nutrients.
I suspect the sustained lowered nutrients is the bacteria seeding all new glass and plastics throughout the new system + nitrifying and Probiotic bacteria additions are consuming all available P04.
That said, I know between feeding and 5ml/cupful of phosphorus, that the corals have access.
The "D" word seems to have fully broken, most little to non-impacted corals are returning to full glory, the pics above were pretty close to before sand removal.
The struggling corals are mending, but took a hit. I will be surprised not to lose a handful, but I've seen worse, so maybe the little tissue remains on these holds on, but pretty rough. That includes the Hung's Rainbow, so kind of sad about that, but my Jawdropper looks amazing, and didn't skip a beat.
I will post my daily P04 result later today, as to get a 24 hour system usage reading.
Thanks for the interest in the journey

Just keep dosing the PO4 up. Looks like 2.16 mL will be your targeted daily PO4 dose until you hit your target. According to the formula that equates to 0.02 ppm. That 5mL dose is over .04 ppm which would be pretty aggressive. I saw the update, so glad to see it’s coming up. Hopefully the corals will be responding nicely.

 

[drawman]

Man time for a follow perry

 

[Hagios]

Looking sweet Perry! Wish my Pearl Berry would grow out like that.

 

[Perry]

Man time for a follow perry

Love having you around brother!
I appreciate you joining in

 

[Perry]

Just keep dosing the PO4 up. Looks like 2.16 mL will be your targeted daily PO4 dose until you hit your target. According to the formula that equates to 0.02 ppm. That 5mL dose is over .04 ppm which would be pretty aggressive. I saw the update, so glad to see it’s coming up. Hopefully the corals will be responding nicely.

Thank you for the suggestion, your insight is greatly appreciated! @ test time today, as a follow up from 2 days at 5ml, I showed 0.04, I subsequently dosed 2ml, which I will do until. 08ppm. N03 @ 7.6, 2 days later 7.8(today). .2, I will take that all day long. The idea of slowing water changes seems possible. I am talking about 10% weekly being my goal for maintenance.
Anyway, holding N03 steady, and looking at tomorrow's result should be telling, hoping to just feed, no add, not remove, unless my current filtration matches, that's the goal.

 

[Perry]

Looking sweet Perry! Wish my Pearl Berry would grow out like that.

Thank you my friend! Quite a compliment from you
All the best, thanks for looking things over

 

[Reefahholic]

Thank you for the suggestion, your insight is greatly appreciated! @ test time today, as a follow up from 2 days at 5ml, I showed 0.04, I subsequently dosed 2ml, which I will do until. 08ppm. N03 @ 7.6, 2 days later 7.8(today). .2, I will take that all day long. The idea of slowing water changes seems possible. I am talking about 10% weekly being my goal for maintenance.
Anyway, holding N03 steady, and looking at tomorrow's result should be telling, hoping to just feed, no add, not remove, unless my current filtration matches, that's the goal.

Should be drifting into the sweet zone soon. Keep up the good work. .08 ppm is a good place to be.

 

[Perry]

Should be drifting into the sweet zone soon. Keep up the good work. .08 ppm is a good place to be.

Thanks, thinking the same. I don't "want" to dose either P04 or N03 if avoidable, as they will need to be dealt with down the line. With 7.8ppm on N03, I thought 0.08ppm P04 would be ideal balance. My 90 gallon sort of always naturally stayed in this ratio, which I believe Hans Werner suggests, could be wrong, but that seems to be my happy zone

 

[Reefahholic]

Thanks, thinking the same. I don't "want" to dose either P04 or N03 if avoidable, as they will need to be dealt with down the line. With 7.8ppm on N03, I thought 0.08ppm P04 would be ideal balance. My 90 gallon sort of always naturally stayed in this ratio, which I believe Hans Werner suggests, could be wrong, but that seems to be my happy zone

That is a 100:1 which has worked well for me. Hanz suggested something like a 15:1. Very low nitrate and PO4 at around 0.15 ppm. He likes lower NO3 for sure.

Personally I’ve had the best luck 50-100:1 in that area, but I know guys that run as high as 200:1 with fantastic colonies. I think most tanks do pretty well as long as they’re available and not inverted too much. I’ve seen some significant issues where NO3 is significantly elevated and PO4 is almost depleted. Maybe it’s the ratio or maybe it’s due solely to the low PO4. As I continue the reefing Journey almost daily I’m reminded how important phosphate is. It can make or break a reef especially in the earlier years.

 

[Perry]

That is a 100:1 which has worked well for me. Hanz suggested something like a 15:1. Very low nitrate and PO4 at around 0.15 ppm. He likes lower NO3 for sure.

Personally I’ve had the best luck 50-100:1 in that area, but I know guys that run as high as 200:1 with fantastic colonies. I think most tanks do pretty well as long as they’re available and not inverted too much. I’ve seen some significant issues where NO3 is significantly elevated and PO4 is almost depleted. Maybe it’s the ratio or maybe it’s due solely to the low PO4. As I continue the reefing Journey almost daily I’m reminded how important phosphate is. It can make or break a reef especially in the earlier years.

My tank, based on feeding and filtration, seems to naturally fall into 100/1.
BTW, P04 at .08ppm today, none additional added, however, I picked up a male and female bimaculatus anthias today, so I plan to increase my feeding to twice per day. My CBB will benefit too. My fish are huge and fat, but I spoil them, cause they will spoil my corals. That said, I will be planning on seeing an uptick in nutrients.