50g Cadlights Build Thread - Page 4

rtparty · 08/19/2017, 10:29 AM

Man I've missed Vortech pumps! Probably should have gone with MP40s since my glass is just thicker than recommended and the one wet side has had issues staying put.

I took the wet side out, cleaned the glass really well and then really made sure there was no air between the glass and foam. That seems to have fixed the issue for now.

rtparty · 09/17/2017, 03:58 PM

Update:

This last week I had to finally take care of some nuisance algae I had growing. Thankfully, someone on clay-boa identified it and knew what to do. I had chrysophytes and had to employ manual scrubbing, 3 day blackout, running phosphate removal media and start dosing potassium nitrate. I figured my nitrates were elevated but turns out they were at 0 after I got a new test in.

Everything seems to be doing well and my corals are expanding more than ever.

I have had some thoughts about removing the protein skimmer and just running a large ball of chaeto. I know skimmers are considered an absolute necessity for most of us, but with the more recent BRS videos it has me thinking they aren't nearly as important as we think. The nice thing is I can keep the skimmer in case I change my mind and the "experiment" doesn't work out.

Here is my thinking:

A skimmer cleans the water by removing organics before they break down. Most studies have shown a skimmer will only remove roughly 25% of the DOCs in a system. Meaning 75% are still broken down and handled by other means. Chaeto has shown it can easily handle the control of nutrients in a tank.

Skimmers are promoted in a way that they will raise your pH by aerating the water and bringing in "fresh" air. Chaeto with a strong light has been shown to drastically increase pH. Meaning by running it on a reverse daylight schedule I can keep my pH super stable and even raise it. I know that a lot of us don't worry about pH but raising it can never be a bad thing for most of us.

Chaeto will allow me a great place to raise pods as well.

My one issue will be keeping chaeto in its section and not getting into the return section.

Any thoughts?

rtparty · 09/21/2017, 09:08 PM

Skimmer is staying put but I may shut it down during the day. I'm having to dose nitrate to even keep my nitrates between 2-4. The Skimz skimmer also creates a TON of micro bubbles and it's quite annoying to look at the tank with the bubbles.

Going on a trip next week so I won't be adding anything until after that. I'd also like to find a decent LFS to visit. There is literally no LFS within an hour of me that I would consider good. Just decent

08/19/2017, 10:29 AM	#76
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	Man I've missed Vortech pumps! Probably should have gone with MP40s since my glass is just thicker than recommended and the one wet side has had issues staying put. I took the wet side out, cleaned the glass really well and then really made sure there was no air between the glass and foam. That seems to have fixed the issue for now. __________________ Ryan Click on my user name and check out my homepage! Current Tank Info: 50g Cadlights/Giesemann Spectra (250w Radium, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Actinic)/2 x Vortech MP10wQD/Skimz SN123/Eheim Compact 3000+

09/17/2017, 03:58 PM	#77
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	Update: This last week I had to finally take care of some nuisance algae I had growing. Thankfully, someone on clay-boa identified it and knew what to do. I had chrysophytes and had to employ manual scrubbing, 3 day blackout, running phosphate removal media and start dosing potassium nitrate. I figured my nitrates were elevated but turns out they were at 0 after I got a new test in. Everything seems to be doing well and my corals are expanding more than ever. I have had some thoughts about removing the protein skimmer and just running a large ball of chaeto. I know skimmers are considered an absolute necessity for most of us, but with the more recent BRS videos it has me thinking they aren't nearly as important as we think. The nice thing is I can keep the skimmer in case I change my mind and the "experiment" doesn't work out. Here is my thinking: A skimmer cleans the water by removing organics before they break down. Most studies have shown a skimmer will only remove roughly 25% of the DOCs in a system. Meaning 75% are still broken down and handled by other means. Chaeto has shown it can easily handle the control of nutrients in a tank. Skimmers are promoted in a way that they will raise your pH by aerating the water and bringing in "fresh" air. Chaeto with a strong light has been shown to drastically increase pH. Meaning by running it on a reverse daylight schedule I can keep my pH super stable and even raise it. I know that a lot of us don't worry about pH but raising it can never be a bad thing for most of us. Chaeto will allow me a great place to raise pods as well. My one issue will be keeping chaeto in its section and not getting into the return section. Any thoughts? __________________ Ryan Click on my user name and check out my homepage! Current Tank Info: 50g Cadlights/Giesemann Spectra (250w Radium, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Actinic)/2 x Vortech MP10wQD/Skimz SN123/Eheim Compact 3000+

09/21/2017, 09:08 PM	#78
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	Skimmer is staying put but I may shut it down during the day. I'm having to dose nitrate to even keep my nitrates between 2-4. The Skimz skimmer also creates a TON of micro bubbles and it's quite annoying to look at the tank with the bubbles. Going on a trip next week so I won't be adding anything until after that. I'd also like to find a decent LFS to visit. There is literally no LFS within an hour of me that I would consider good. Just decent __________________ Ryan Click on my user name and check out my homepage! Current Tank Info: 50g Cadlights/Giesemann Spectra (250w Radium, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Actinic)/2 x Vortech MP10wQD/Skimz SN123/Eheim Compact 3000+