Sdoutreefer's Cube Build - Red Sea Reefer 200 G2+

[Sdoutreefer]

So far so good! Those Trochus are monsters, plus they easily reproduce in captivity. Maybe you'll get another generation to grow up in your tank.

Thanks! Yes, the white footed trochus was an awesome addition to my CUC. I had no idea they existed to be honest. The owner of my LFS is a marine biologist and Zoologist. He was the one that turned me onto them. I might add another, but going to wait a week or two more and see how efficient he is.

 

[JustinP.]

Thanks! Yes, the white footed trochus was an awesome addition to my CUC. I had no idea they existed to be honest. The owner of my LFS is a marine biologist and Zoologist. He was the one that turned me onto them. I might add another, but going to wait a week or two more and see how efficient he is.

Try to get some Stomatella snails if you can too! They reproduce very easily too and they're able to get into those harder to reach places and eat the algae before it becomes an issue.

 

[Sdoutreefer]

Try to get some Stomatella snails if you can too! They reproduce very easily too and they're able to get into those harder to reach places and eat the algae before it becomes an issue.

Love me some stomatellas. I never have been able to find them via LFS or online store. I've ALWAYS had them show up in my tanks as hitch hikers.

 

[JustinP.]

Love me some stomatellas. I never have been able to find them via LFS or online store. I've ALWAYS had them show up in my tanks as hitch hikers.

Lol if mine spawn again, I'll ship some over

 

[Sdoutreefer]

Lol if mine spawn again, I'll ship some over

That'd be awesome! Let me know

 

[208reef]

Had to run to the LFS and grab my new Energy Board for my Apex... the other one unfortunately shorted out/never worked... Maybe that's why I got a deal on it

Had the LFS test my water, to see where my Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates were at. Here is where I'm sitting:

The nitrifying bacteria seems to be working, which is great. But, it seems my Ammonia is pretty high. That will come down with time, correct? It's been a while since I've cycled a tank, and I have never done a fishless cycle before. Also, my Alk being at 141?? Yikes, that seems through the roof. Could that be because of the sand sediment running through my water column?

What machine is this? Is it at Corals4Cheap? I might need one of these lol

 

[Sdoutreefer]

What machine is this? Is it at Corals4Cheap? I might need one of these lol

Yep, it's at Josh's place. They charge ya $10 to run the test. I looked into buying one and they're pretty expensive.

 

[208reef]

Yep, it's at Josh's place. They charge ya $10 to run the test. I looked into buying one and they're pretty expensive.

Do you know who makes it or how much it was?

 

[Sdoutreefer]

Do you know who makes it or how much it was?

I don't, but let me ask.

 

[Sdoutreefer]

I don't, but let me ask.

Just talked with Josh. It’s API that makes that testing module.

 

[Sdoutreefer]

It has been a while since giving an update, so here I am. I apologize for the novel I’m writing.

I have been having issues getting nutrients up in the tank. Could be because I only have 3 fish, or was doing WCs too frequently and too much volume. Last week, both No3 and Po4 were undetectable (via salifert). (Roughly 80 days old, at least that’s what my journal says… could have sworn it’s been longer) I had only been feeding once daily, with some reef roids and reef jerky. Attempting to create a ULNS this early in the game was a mistake.

I decided to pull my filter floss (ReefMat) and am going on two weeks with no water changes. I realized that the filter mat was too aggressive this early. I was (and still am) feeding live-photo, nightly, which was basically getting cancelled by my filter mat. I added another 64oz. Bottle of pods last week as well, bringing the total for dosed pods to 80oz. I’m really hoping that investment makes a difference.

My Hannah Po4 checker showed up Monday this week. Levels are below:

Po4
10/21/24: 0.0
10.22.24: 0.03
12/23/24: 0.05

Phosphate is thankfully rising but my No3 has stayed constant at undetectable (Salifert) on the days tested above. So, went to my store this afternoon and got the No3 checker. I really dislike the color differential test. Everyone sees color differently, and it all depends on how you’re looking into the vile. Anyway, Once I got home, I tested No3. Came to 0.0 (Hanna).

As of tonight (10/24/24) I pulled my skimmer and plan to feed close to twice as much for at least the next week, still dosing live-phyto nightly (~50ml). I’m hoping the zero mechanical filtration will work. I’ve also seen what live-phyto does for a tank. Crossing my fingers that will get a grip on the tank soon.

It has been a while since I last put some pictures up. It’s not as fun to put up pictures when your tank is in the ugly stage

If anyone knows what algae I’ve got going on, please let me know! I’m thinking it’s just hair algae and spots of turf algae, but will happily stand corrected!

Thank you for stopping by!

 

[xshmoox]

You’ll get through it just be patient wouldn’t worry about doing many water changes this early on. When I set up my 50 cube 2.5 years ago a little after getting it going I added a little bit of live rock and sand from Tampa bay saltwater and I think it’s helped my tank tremendously compared to last tanks where I battle hair algae and other algae’s a lot. Just something to consider

 

[Sdoutreefer]

You’ll get through it just be patient wouldn’t worry about doing many water changes this early on. When I set up my 50 cube 2.5 years ago a little after getting it going I added a little bit of live rock and sand from Tampa bay saltwater and I think it’s helped my tank tremendously compared to last tanks where I battle hair algae and other algae’s a lot. Just something to consider

Definetly! There’s a few things I would have changed if I could restart today. Mistakes are definitely more common when you’re outta the hobby for 13 years!! Feeling a bit rusty and there seems to be just so many new approaches to stuff.

Anyway, yes patience is a virtue, as they say. I’m thinking of pulling all light spectrums to 0, other than my blue/actinics. Makes sense to do since the zooathellae of coral get excited over the blues, while having zero growth benefits to the algae, since the chlorophyll needs those more “natural” spectrums.

We’ll see how it goes!

 

[xshmoox]

Yeah sounds like an idea. I just literally added a few small/medium pieces of their live rock down on the sand in the tank then the smaller stuff and rubble I added to the sump and the sand I only got a few lbs just dumped it in on top of the sand already. Was cloudy for a few minutes but really not bad plus I think the benefit was huge.

 

[Sdoutreefer]

Yeah sounds like an idea. I just literally added a few small/medium pieces of their live rock down on the sand in the tank then the smaller stuff and rubble I added to the sump and the sand I only got a few lbs just dumped it in on top of the sand already. Was cloudy for a few minutes but really not bad plus I think the benefit was huge.

I have been looking at adding some LR. I just have to buy way too much of it online for what I need it for. Aaaand, I’m a bit paranoid of hitch hikers. I had all sorts of hitch hiking pests in my old tank, granted that probably came from a LFS.

Nonetheless, I do like the idea of adding some LR with that good bio-diversity. I’m thinking of purchasing some amphioods from Dinkins.

 

[xshmoox]

The good thing with Tampa bay is you can get smaller amounts. They call them treasure chests on their site that can ship ups that’s what I got. But I think they were affected by the hurricane so they are moving or something it looks like so might take a a little bit til they get back up. But not sure

 

[Sdoutreefer]

The good thing with Tampa bay is you can get smaller amounts. They call them treasure chests on their site that can ship ups that’s what I got. But I think they were affected by the hurricane so they are moving or something it looks like so might take a a little bit til they get back up. But not sure

I'll take a look! Thanks for the advice!