The state of my reef after leaving for University

lunker101 · 11/01/2006, 01:13 PM

September 3rd i left for college and I had not returned home until October 27th. I had no idea what to expect from the 50g reef i had at home. I have family members doing top-offs and feedings, but they did not feel comfortable/willing to do water changes, so i was a little worried about what i would be coming home to. The tanks is a 50g reef plumbed to a 50g refugium, with a penguin 170 doing some light mechanical work and also a 20" HOB fuge on the main tank. I was stunned by what I saw. Acropora frags that were 1.5" when i left were now 3-4", my montipora seems to have almost doubled in size as well. My LPS all seemed the same, and my polyps were growing out of control. The nitrates and phosphates tested zero, yet there was a small amount of hair algae and a tiny biy of red slime. I did about a 30% water change and moved some corals around since alot were getting too close for my comfort. I will not be home again for another 3 weeks, but the tank went for twice this amount of time between my departure and my first return home. I plan on finally adding a skimmer next time i am home. The tank will be running for 2 years next month. I did not have my camera, regrettably, but hopefully everything will continue to do well and i can take some pictures when i am home again.

kiknchikn · 11/01/2006, 01:16 PM

That's great! Congrats on the almost self-sustaining reef. Get an auto-topoff and you might not need to do hardly anythng but feed

dodgersfan25 · 11/01/2006, 01:42 PM

good job indeed! im in the same situation as you. for the last 2 years, ive left the tank in the care of the uninterested mom and its been doing great! all i had her do was feed them and replace evaporated water. i guess this was enough because everything was still good.

everytime i come back home, its always so excited to see the growth of all the corals.

11/01/2006, 01:13 PM	#1
lunker101 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 226	The state of my reef after leaving for University September 3rd i left for college and I had not returned home until October 27th. I had no idea what to expect from the 50g reef i had at home. I have family members doing top-offs and feedings, but they did not feel comfortable/willing to do water changes, so i was a little worried about what i would be coming home to. The tanks is a 50g reef plumbed to a 50g refugium, with a penguin 170 doing some light mechanical work and also a 20" HOB fuge on the main tank. I was stunned by what I saw. Acropora frags that were 1.5" when i left were now 3-4", my montipora seems to have almost doubled in size as well. My LPS all seemed the same, and my polyps were growing out of control. The nitrates and phosphates tested zero, yet there was a small amount of hair algae and a tiny biy of red slime. I did about a 30% water change and moved some corals around since alot were getting too close for my comfort. I will not be home again for another 3 weeks, but the tank went for twice this amount of time between my departure and my first return home. I plan on finally adding a skimmer next time i am home. The tank will be running for 2 years next month. I did not have my camera, regrettably, but hopefully everything will continue to do well and i can take some pictures when i am home again.

11/01/2006, 01:16 PM	#2
kiknchikn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bel Air, MD Posts: 1,556	That's great! Congrats on the almost self-sustaining reef. Get an auto-topoff and you might not need to do hardly anythng but feed __________________ I am a proud member of the Chesapeake Marine Aquaria Society (CMAS). If you're in the Maryland area check us out! Current Tank Info: 30g nano reef

11/01/2006, 01:42 PM	#3
dodgersfan25 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Valencia (So Cal) Posts: 757	good job indeed! im in the same situation as you. for the last 2 years, ive left the tank in the care of the uninterested mom and its been doing great! all i had her do was feed them and replace evaporated water. i guess this was enough because everything was still good. everytime i come back home, its always so excited to see the growth of all the corals. __________________ -rich Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon Mixed Reef