I haven't been thrilled with my tank for a while. My corals don't seem to grow, just limp along for 4-6 months then die.
So I decided they weren't getting enough of something. Tried using BRS 2-part. Nope. Tried allowing nutrients in the tank to rise and... guess what? The corals are STILL not thriving but the nuisance algae is.
[Doesn't look too bad from here. MOST of the problem is in the back of the tank. AND the front is much easier to keep clean.]
Several different kinds of algae.
So I spent the past month reading posts, watching @BRS videos, looking at other locations on line, asking fellow reefers for advice.
Most of what I got was confused, contradictory advice.
But what was left? Resulted in a Plan of Attack.
Week 1 (this week):
pull algae by hand as much as possible (I've been doing this), scrub with toothbrush what I can't pull.
H2O2 dip what I could remove. Drip H2O2 on exposed rock when I could. [mixed results from first attempt]
Three large water changes (aiming for 30%, but probably closer to 20) in a very short time period.
Change lighting program - using Coral Labs LPS lighting schedule, long ramp time (for longer viewing) at lower intensity. No, I don't have a par meter. Yes, I should either get one or borrow one and check it. I think my local reefing club has one that's available to borrow. Looking into it.
Other changes:
Reduce feeding.
Add extra cartridges to RODI system. My TDS is not zero. Aiming for zero.
Add snails to replace ones that have died of old age or been killed by the mantis shrimp. Yes, I know some of them will be mantis food.
Start Triton dosing. I like the idea of only having to measure alk and having all the dosing based off ONE measurement, not trying to adjust alk and calcium and magnesium and... It seems easier and I am all for easy.
Target feed corals.
Do not buy any new corals until tank has been stable for 4 - 6 months (yeah, like THAT's gonna happen).
Be inspired by @MJC softy tank and go for softies more than anything else (I had been trying for an LPS focus because I read so many people who regretted getting this soft coral or that soft coral... I'll avoid Kenya trees and pulsing xenia and blue sympodium... I think those are the worst offenders).
Wish me luck.
[apologies for poor picture qualities, I tried something new with my phone and it didn't work]
So I decided they weren't getting enough of something. Tried using BRS 2-part. Nope. Tried allowing nutrients in the tank to rise and... guess what? The corals are STILL not thriving but the nuisance algae is.
[Doesn't look too bad from here. MOST of the problem is in the back of the tank. AND the front is much easier to keep clean.]
Several different kinds of algae.
So I spent the past month reading posts, watching @BRS videos, looking at other locations on line, asking fellow reefers for advice.
Most of what I got was confused, contradictory advice.
But what was left? Resulted in a Plan of Attack.
Week 1 (this week):
pull algae by hand as much as possible (I've been doing this), scrub with toothbrush what I can't pull.
H2O2 dip what I could remove. Drip H2O2 on exposed rock when I could. [mixed results from first attempt]
Three large water changes (aiming for 30%, but probably closer to 20) in a very short time period.
Change lighting program - using Coral Labs LPS lighting schedule, long ramp time (for longer viewing) at lower intensity. No, I don't have a par meter. Yes, I should either get one or borrow one and check it. I think my local reefing club has one that's available to borrow. Looking into it.
Other changes:
Reduce feeding.
Add extra cartridges to RODI system. My TDS is not zero. Aiming for zero.
Add snails to replace ones that have died of old age or been killed by the mantis shrimp. Yes, I know some of them will be mantis food.
Start Triton dosing. I like the idea of only having to measure alk and having all the dosing based off ONE measurement, not trying to adjust alk and calcium and magnesium and... It seems easier and I am all for easy.
Target feed corals.
Do not buy any new corals until tank has been stable for 4 - 6 months (yeah, like THAT's gonna happen).
Be inspired by @MJC softy tank and go for softies more than anything else (I had been trying for an LPS focus because I read so many people who regretted getting this soft coral or that soft coral... I'll avoid Kenya trees and pulsing xenia and blue sympodium... I think those are the worst offenders).
Wish me luck.
[apologies for poor picture qualities, I tried something new with my phone and it didn't work]