150 Rimless Barebottom Diary

[Rotknee]

I like the "minimalist aquascaping" and video Nate. Hopefully you will keep us updated as you add SPS frags to the tank. You you have a created a recipe for success: great lighting, high flow and attention to detail consistently produce some of the best tanks.

What did you use to shoot the video? From the reflection I would guess you are using a T2i? I just ordered one with the goal of taking better pics and a nice vid or two. Oh, like your music choice too.

[naterealbig]

Originally Posted by mbonus

Ha ha, not trying to be flattering, really I'm sincere. Back in September you helped this newb immensely by convincing me to change out the crushed coral in the "new to me" 2yr old established aquapod 12GA I got "for the kids". Now I no longer have the nitrate problem that I inherited and the tank is looking good with the few lps and leathers that I added. (Well proper husbandry and an over sized skimmer helped too)

I'm sorry for not responding to your post earlier! It brings a bit of joy to my heart knowing that I was able to help someone enjoy their tank a bit more, and was able to pay forward some of the generosity and time others have devoted to me and my aquarium's success. If you need help with anything, please don't hesitate to ask, and post some pics on the local forum!

[naterealbig]

Originally Posted by Rotknee

I like the "minimalist aquascaping" and video Nate. Hopefully you will keep us updated as you add SPS frags to the tank. You you have a created a recipe for success: great lighting, high flow and attention to detail consistently produce some of the best tanks.

What did you use to shoot the video? From the reflection I would guess you are using a T2i? I just ordered one with the goal of taking better pics and a nice vid or two. Oh, like your music choice too.

Thank you for the inspiring words, and sorry for responding so late. The camera I am using is a Cannon S3iS. I think it's a pretty good camera, but I have no idea how to adjust the settings for quality photos. Definitely something I need to work on.

[naterealbig]

Not sure if I made note of this in previous posts, but I was able to aquire a beautiful Regal Angel specimen. To help stimulate his appetite and keep him healthy, I began feeding the tank several times a day, a mix of many frozen foods. At the highest point, I was probably feeding around 9 cubes of food a day.

The nitrates climbed to a very high level, reaching almost 25 ppm before I decided to change my maintenance routine. I was blowing the LR & siphoning debris/detritus daily, which I soon grew tired of. I decided to give vodka dosing a shot, and the next post will be a detailed log (and an excerpt from a ReefKeeping magazine article by Nathaniel Walton & Matt Bjornson on the subject ). I deviated a small bit from the articles directions, but I actually dosed a smaller amount than recommended. I am very happy with the results of the vodka, and also began dosing a daily amount of MB7. So far I am happy with the results of the mb7 as well.

I know I need to get some newer tank shots on the thread, I'm trying to talk my brother into getting some good shots for me.

[naterealbig]

Dosing Instructions
________________________________________
These instructions will focus solely on using 80 proof vodka (40% ethanol by volume). They do not pertain to other organic carbon sources that are also currently used, including common table sugar (sucrose) and vinegar (sodium acetate). The dosing instructions below were as dictated by J�rg Kokott and have been used successfully by us.
1. Test your system�s NO3 and PO4 levels. Do not dose if you do not know this! We recommend good test kits that have some low level of sensitivity. This will be important later on to determining a maintenance dose regimen. During the initial dosing test often and adjust dosing parameters as needed as each tank�s requirement will be different. Dosing accuracy is of the utmost importance. A graduated measurement tool such as a syringe will come in handy. A journal of additions and test kit measurements is recommended.
2. Estimate your Net Water Volume (NWV) of your system. (Aquarium volume + sump + refugium + reactor volumes) � (live rock displacement). It can be difficult to accurately measure the amount of water being displaced by the live rock. If unsure of the volume of live rock we suggest taking 30% off your display tank�s Gross Water Volume. For vodka dosing there is absolutely no harm in underestimating the Net Water Volume and is recommended.
As an example, let us assume that your setup contains 100 Net Gallons.
3. The starting dosage is 0.1ml of vodka per 25 gallons (~100 liters) NWV daily continued for three days. For 100 Net Gallons, your dosage would be 0.4ml daily during this period. It has been suggested to cut the daily dosage in half and dose twice daily for more consistency.
4. Days 4-7, double the daily dosage to 0.2ml of vodka per 25 gallons NWV. Your example dosage would be 0.8ml daily during this period.
5. Each subsequent week add an additional 0.5ml of vodka regardless of aquaria volume. At this point your example dosage during week two would be 1.3ml daily. If you do not see nutrient levels decrease during this week, the following week add an additional 0.5ml for a daily dosage of 1.8ml daily.
6. When your NO3 and PO4 levels start to drop maintain the current dose. For example, if you were on week two when NO3 start to fall on 100 Net Water Volume you would add 1.3mL daily at this time for the continuing weeks until the NO3 becomes undetectable.
7. When your NO3 and PO4 levels drop near undetectable with your test kits cut your current dose in half. This will be your starting maintenance dose (if the levels drop during week 2 then the dose after reaching undetectable levels would be 0.65ml daily [1.3ml divide by 2]).
8. Continue to test for NO3 and PO4. If levels become detectable in the future increase your daily dose by 0.1ml increments per week until the levels start to decrease. If you maintain that dose the levels will eventually drop back to undetectable. This would become your new maintenance dose.
Throughout your dosing, observe your livestock daily to look for any signs of stress. If stress of any sort is noticed stop dosing, or at a minimum cut back by reducing your dose in half. If for some reason you cannot remember if you�ve added for that day skip it. It is better to accidentally miss a dose than add twice as much (a journal will keep this from occurring). Never double the dose for missing a prior day!












Vodka Dosing Log

Wednesday June 29, 2011
Tonight is the first night of dosing Vodka. I dosed per instructions; .1ml for every 25 gallons of water, for a total of 1.5ml of vodka (dosed around 8:00pm).
Corals: Corals are exhibiting ok coloration, however the greens appear to be more prominent than anything else. If they are coloring up, they are doing it at a rate that I can’t see over the period of a couple days.
Maintenance: tonight is the last night that I will blow the LR out daily. From this point until a month from now, I will only blow the LR out during weekly maintenance, and simultaneously vacuum any detritus/debris from the rock. I will take a picture of the tank tomorrow during halides on, so I can compare colors/results with a picture I will take at the end of July.
Concerns: Nothing dire right now, although I am concerned a bit about how my higher level of alkalinity will have an effect on vodka dosing. Specifically, I am worried that I may get the “infamous” burnt tips, that others have noticed, seemingly corresponding to elevated levels of Alkalinity. My pH also only reached a high of 7.81 today, and last night it plummeted down to just above 7.6. I wonder if this low pH is also having an effect on the corals.
Parameters: Nitrates measured 25ppm per Salifert, which appears to be higher than the nitrate levels measured post last week’s water change. PO4 measures .03 per salifert.
Other: as a note, diatomaceous algae appear on the glass within 2 days of wiping it down. The LR in the tank is algae free, with the exception of a 1 or 2 small strands that don’t appear to be growing at all.

Saturday July 2, 2011
So far, there hasn’t been any drawbacks from the Vodka. There is a small patch (in addition to the 2 small patches before dosing) of red cyano (about 1” square) that has popped up in the last day or so. The water may be a little more clear than the last check. Today is the fourth day of the vodka dosing.
Today was water change day, the usual 40 gallons. Speanking of water changes, I would like to be able to get 2 weeks in between water changes, vice the once per week I have to do now. Parameters seem about normal with the exception of Mg, which appears to be significantly lower than the last test, which was about 1 week ago. Ca-410, Mg-1100, Alk – 9.2, PO3-.03(or less), and NO3 – about 15ppm. The nitrate looks like it’s gone down a little bit, since the last test, which was done about 3 days ago. I could be imagining it, but I’m almost certain. I have increased the vodka dosing to 2.5ml, starting tonight, after the water change was complete. This is a smaller increase in Vodka volume than the directions call for, I just want to be careful.
The corals colors continue to get better, albeit slowly. I’m not sure whether it has to do with the more frequent 40g water changes or the Vodka. I have stopped blowing off and siphoning every day, and I plan on sticking to my regimend of only right before the water change. Also of note, I have decreased feedings, to about 2-3 cubes, twice a day (instead of 3 times a day) which also might be having an affect on nitrates or coral coloring. I will try to narrow things down as I go. I would really like to keep this strict formula of feeding, siphoning, vodka dosing, and water changes for about the next month, just so I can really see some changes.
I was surprised to see that it seemed the only time I noticed increased skimmer production was the first day of dosing. Other than that, it really hasn’t gotten better…..maybe smellier? IDK.

Sunday July 10, 2011
I was unable to do a water change today, or my full gambit of water tests. I did test PO4 which was undetectable. NO3 was between 2 and 5 per Salifert, which is a fairly significant drop from the initial level of about 25ppm. It seems as though the vodka is working as planned. I will not increase the dose as the PO4 and NO3 levels are going down at the current rate of dosing. I have stuck to my regimen of daily filter sock changes, and blowing off LR and siphoning before water changes only. I will do a water change, and a full set of tests tomorrow.
I continue to get a dusting of algae and what may be bacteria on my glass which I clean with my tigershark magnet every 2 or 3 days. The fish all seem happy, and I am currently feeding the equivalent of 4 or 5 cubes of frozen food a day. Of note perhaps is that I feed mainly Hikari mysis, formula 1, formula 2, and Angel Formula. This is due to my Regal Angel who is a pretty picky eater, and happens to favor these particular foods.
I have not observed any coralline algae growing on the rocks, glass, or equipment, although the snail shells seem to have a bit growing. I have noticed a couple more small patches of cyano popping up around the tank; nothing unsightly yet, but I will begin a dose MB7 this evening to compliment my vodka dosing. I am hoping this will help with the cyano, but I know that it may not.
Here is an updated stocking list:
2 x helfrichi firefish
2 x firefish gobies
2 x purple firefish
1 x blue striped goby
3 x dispar anthias
1 x percula clown
1 x midas blenny
1 x tailspot blenny
1 x regal angel
1 x sunburst anthias
3 x bluegreen chromis
5 x porcelain crabs
1 x anemone crab
5 x cleaner shrimp
1 x sea cucumber
25 x small sps colonies
1 x pistol shrimp

July 12, 2011
I wanted to make a quick update. I began dosing mb7 on the 10th, at a rate of 30ml/per day. I must have read the directions wrong, as this is a gross overdose according to the directions. The first night, there was what appeared to be a light bacterial bloom, and there was also a thin white film on the tank glass. None of the animals seem affected. A water change was completed on the 11th (3 days late) and another dose of 30ml of mb7 was applied to the aquarium. Today, upon observation of the aquarium, the water was notably clearer, and the amount of green microalgae that has been growing on the rocks had significantly decreased. My Cali Tort, which seems to respond quicker than other corals to changes in the water seemed a bit lighter in coloration than usual. This prompted a double check of the dose of mb7, at which point I realized I should only be dosing around 20ml per week. Tonight I dosed the normal 2.5ml of vodka (Kettle One) and 5ml of mb7, which I will dose daily throughout the week. The cyano, which is initially what made me want to start dosing the mb7, is shrinking in surface area over the last 2 days. Of course, the large water change that was done on the tank may have also made a difference. I will observe the cyano over the next week, and see if it begins to grow again as it gets closer to water change time. If it does begin to grow, it will be an indicator that the shrinking of the patches of cyano had more to do with the water change than the mb7.

Additionally, corals are continuing to color up. All but 2 of the frags I placed in the tank about 3 or 4 weeks ago have returned to their natural coloring.

Assuming that the NO3 and PO4 levels continue to lower over the next few days, I will soon be at 0 & 0 respectively (according to my test kit). At this point I will have to watch the corals even closer in order to adjust nutrient levels in the tank, and to find the right “balance”. By balance, I mean the dosing amounts of vodka, mb7, and tank cleaning.

Assuming the PO4 and NO3 levels reach 0, I will switch my regimen of daily filter sock changes, to twice-a-week filter sock changes. I choose this as my next step, as opposed to adjusting the dose of mb7 or vodka, simply because ultimately I would like to reduce the amount of maintenance I do on the tank. I am not particularly overwhelmed with the frequency of the maintenance I do, but If I can keep from having to “mess” with the tank for a week, that would be ideal. If the colors of the corals continue to improve, macro and micro algae is kept at bay, and I am maintaining a near zero PO4 and NO3 readings, I will be satisfied.

[BIG_KAHUNA]

Bassnectar...+1000

[naterealbig]

bassnectar+Ellie Goulding = + 1000000

[dantdodge]

Dude we need more pictures and an updated video!! Sorry I am his brother and I see it everyday looks different now a lot of progress but a little progress. Make sense? I think so!

[naterealbig]

Just snapped a few pics off, I'm no good with my Canon S3IS. These photos have been run through Nero 7's auto-fix.

If you care, my tank diary is here: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1914008

[naterealbig]

As of 7/20/2011 - I have noticed a slight decrease in the amount of cyano since I began dosing mb7. More notable however, is the fact that several of my SPS have lightened in color since I began the dosing. I believe that this is due to one of two things.
1) The mb7 caused a significant decrease in available food for the corals
or
2) The mb7 caused a significant increase in water clarity which caused the corals to bleach a bit.

I am partial to the former theory, simply because backing my halide photoperiod down to 3 hours did not result in an improvement in color.

I completed a 26% water change last night, and have temporarily discontinued the use of vodka. I will retest NO3 & PO4 at the end of the week and see where we are at. If I am able to maintain PO4 & NO3 at low levels, and am able to reduce the amount of cyano, I will simply continue with the mb7 dosing, without the vodka. If NO3 & PO4 increase over the week, I will begin dosing vodka again, likely at a reduced dose of 1.5 ml.

[naterealbig]

The last week or so has been a mess with school. I stopped dosing vodka, started dosing 12ml/day vinegar, increased to 18ml of vinegar, and bumped it back down to 12ml/day starting today.

NO3 - 5ppm
PO4 - 0

Both per Salifert.
The coloration of my corals have really plateaued. They were getting better for a while, lightened up, colored back up, and are just kind of steady right now. The colors however still need improvement. They look OK, but JUST OK. There are many things that I am suspicious of - which I mention in the following list.

1. Vodka/Vinegar Dosing
2. Chronic low pH (between 7.69 - 7.91 throughout the day)
3. Nutrients too low (I don't believe this is the case, as I get a pretty heavy dusting of algae on my glass every day)
4. Low potassium or iodine levels

For now, I will continue on with the 12ml/day dose of vinegar, and I will try to rectify the problems I have with my pH. I so far have diverted 100% of the airline suction to a tube that leads to my back porch. I am hoping that I can raise my pH to a higher level and maintain it there. I really am hoping I don't have to invest in a CO2 scrubber, but I will if I need to.

Once I get the pH under control, I will move on to purchasing test kits for potassium and iodine, and establishing a dosing regimen if I need to. If none of these things help my coloration, I will slowly decrease the amount of vodka/vinegar I am dosing.

If anyone has any comments or suggestions, please let me know........although I don't think anyone is reading the thread any more.

[naterealbig]

I have been running the air suction for my skimmer "t'd" off between my back porch and under my stand. I didn't run it 100% from outside, as I figured I would loose too much air draw. Last night I diverted 100% of it to the back porch, and only lost 1 or 2 SCFH per my Dwyer air flow meter. This morning, my pH was a 7.98, which is still on the low side, relative to most peoples tanks. However my pH normally would dip down to 7.65 at night. I am hoping this has solved my pH problems. I will observe the corals over the period of 2 weeks, and see what happens.

[naterealbig]

[naterealbig]

Well I posted a video, I may as well write a brief update as well. If you have read any of the earlier posts, I was having problems with nuisance algae growing on the glass sides of the aquarium. I was attempting vodka & vinegar dosing, tried running a UV sterilizer, and contemplated the use of some sort of carbon pellet to help with this. Due to the lack of time I had to "mess around" with the tank, I completely stopped maintenance on it for about a month. I continued to feed the fish, but mostly it was once a day, and some times it was every other day. I didn't change the filter sock at all, and I didn't clean the sides of the tank either. It looked like an absolute mess.

About a month ago, I had some free time, and decided that I was going to give the tank a nice scrub down, and a hefty water change. It turned out beautiful, and it appears that the algae problem went away on its own. I haven't had any problems with algae or cyano, and I am back to feeding the fish 2 large meals a day. Additionally, I change the filter sock every night.

Currently I am not running activated charcoal, not running a refugium, phosphate reactor, carbon reactor, bacterial supplementation of any sort, or a UV sterilizer. I would like to keep it this way . The fish are healthy and fat, and the corals are colorful and growing.

[biecacka]

just curious what size tank is it and what size vortechs are those?
corey

[biecacka]

never mind i went back to first page.........
corey

[Agua Salado]

Wow, how did I not notice you set up the tank? Was it the same apartment on the 2nd floor?