How do I transform a desert into a forest?

chrissreef · 05/03/2012, 12:07 AM

How can I transform my tank into a high nutrients input high export ecosystem? I don’t think I’m putting enough nutrients into my tank… but I also don’t want to create excess nutrients which cause other problems.

- 4 Month old 75g tank using BRS dry Pukani rock
- 2 clowns I feed modestly 2-3x week.
- Calcium/stront/alk/iodine etc.
- Bubble magus 180 and refugium
- 30-40 Astrea snails
- LPS primarily
- I haven’t cleaned my glass in 4 weeks and I don’t foresee cleaning it anytime soon
- Radion LEDs at 50% + 4 T5's

PO4 & NO3 test 0 but I have a little cyano (new tank)
Corals seem to be living but not really growing like I've had in previous established tanks

I put a little Phyto in and hand feed my corals mysis ~once per week… but I feel they’re missing something… like a kid that eats pizza only and no greens.
Any tips/suggestions?

(pic from a few weeks ago - a little coraline now on the pumps)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

pledosophy · 05/03/2012, 01:51 AM

Feed more. Go to twice a week, then three times a week, then 4 times a week.

I used to feed my 65g 5 cubes of food a day. Now I feed my 120g 12 cubes of mysis everyday.

Ron Reefman · 05/03/2012, 05:49 AM

First of all, a 4 month old tank is only just starting to mature. Don't rush it. You said it yourself, "things aren't growing like have in in previous established tanks". At 4 months this isn't an established tank. It's just starting the begining to mature phase. I'd give it another 6 -12 months.

Second, why are you runing your leds at 50%? Have you checked the PAR levels? What is your light schedule?

Also, dosing things like iodine and strontium may be an issue. When is the last time you did a parameter test for either of these and what are the levels? Don't dose what you don't or can't test for.

cody6766 · 05/03/2012, 07:19 AM

I notice big growth differences when my Ca, Mg and talk are a little on the high side. I keep alk between 9-9.5 (I know, not really high), Ca around 400-450 and :-) Mg around 1250. Growth slows when they dip below that.

Chrisrush · 05/03/2012, 07:22 AM

Agree with the established tank part. 50% LED is fine. Did you cook or cycle the dry rock before you put it in the tank?

hvacman250 · 05/03/2012, 07:33 AM

Start by feeding your fish more. Slowly ramp up, but I personally feed 2x a day minimum, preferably 3-4x a day, just smaller amounts.

TimeConsumer · 05/03/2012, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrissreef

How can I transform my tank into a high nutrients input high export ecosystem?

Algae scrubber.

05/03/2012, 12:07 AM	#1
chrissreef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,252	How do I transform a desert into a forest? How can I transform my tank into a high nutrients input high export ecosystem? I don’t think I’m putting enough nutrients into my tank… but I also don’t want to create excess nutrients which cause other problems. - 4 Month old 75g tank using BRS dry Pukani rock - 2 clowns I feed modestly 2-3x week. - Calcium/stront/alk/iodine etc. - Bubble magus 180 and refugium - 30-40 Astrea snails - LPS primarily - I haven’t cleaned my glass in 4 weeks and I don’t foresee cleaning it anytime soon - Radion LEDs at 50% + 4 T5's PO4 & NO3 test 0 but I have a little cyano (new tank) Corals seem to be living but not really growing like I've had in previous established tanks I put a little Phyto in and hand feed my corals mysis ~once per week… but I feel they’re missing something… like a kid that eats pizza only and no greens. Any tips/suggestions? (pic from a few weeks ago - a little coraline now on the pumps) Uploaded with ImageShack.us __________________ One's standard of living is determined by the size of their reef Learn and you continue to adapt, stop learning and you become obsolete We live with each other, not for ourselves, protect our planet Current Tank Info: 300g Starfire/Starboard A.G.E. mixed reef

05/03/2012, 01:51 AM	#2
pledosophy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Beaverton Posts: 5,290	Feed more. Go to twice a week, then three times a week, then 4 times a week. I used to feed my 65g 5 cubes of food a day. Now I feed my 120g 12 cubes of mysis everyday. __________________ 120g mixed reef 90g QT

05/03/2012, 05:49 AM	#3
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	First of all, a 4 month old tank is only just starting to mature. Don't rush it. You said it yourself, "things aren't growing like have in in previous established tanks". At 4 months this isn't an established tank. It's just starting the begining to mature phase. I'd give it another 6 -12 months. Second, why are you runing your leds at 50%? Have you checked the PAR levels? What is your light schedule? Also, dosing things like iodine and strontium may be an issue. When is the last time you did a parameter test for either of these and what are the levels? Don't dose what you don't or can't test for. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

05/03/2012, 07:19 AM	#4
cody6766 Super Best Friends! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 3,772	I notice big growth differences when my Ca, Mg and talk are a little on the high side. I keep alk between 9-9.5 (I know, not really high), Ca around 400-450 and :-) Mg around 1250. Growth slows when they dip below that. __________________ "The moral is the chosen, not the forced; the understood, not the obeyed. The moral is the rational, and reason accepts no commandments." - John Galt Current Tank Info: Cadlights 60G Arisan II mixed reef with 2x MP40s and 24" ATI

05/03/2012, 07:22 AM	#5
Chrisrush Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,754	Agree with the established tank part. 50% LED is fine. Did you cook or cycle the dry rock before you put it in the tank? __________________ Thanks, Chris Current Tank Info: 2015 Reef Savvy Dream Tank Winner

05/03/2012, 07:33 AM	#6
hvacman250 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 733	Start by feeding your fish more. Slowly ramp up, but I personally feed 2x a day minimum, preferably 3-4x a day, just smaller amounts. __________________ 220 in-wall reef, 10 clown pairs, 4 fry tanks, 18 grow-out tanks Current Tank Info: 220 in-wall reef, clownfish breeding/growout system, 20L coral QT and 29 fish QT