Foreign friends club - MD tank case study

[xdai27]

Thanks Xdai 27 for your kind reply.

Well noted and I also observed that I need to scrub my tank glass wall (all side) as algae adhere on it .

So since we suspect nutrient may be the culprit and inspite of our regular testing showing we have the right number , then what else you suggest me to do?

I have successfully lower down my nutrient with biopellet . I did also try Zeovit system and it did maintain a good level but on the succeeding changes of the zeolite my no3 and po4 shoot skyrocket higher with unknown reason that is why I goes back to biopellet .


What This seems to be difficult as I don't have any more idea how to lower down any suspected nutrients .

I also observed when I am using KZ , hairlike algae occur but when I stop that then it gone .

What next ?

Cheers,


MD


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Hi MD,

As I know, there are several ways you can do. Check if your wave maker strong enough to every corner of your tank. Decrease your feeding amount. Increase frequency of changing your filter bag until the nutrients level is low. You may also use sponge filter such as this. It is more convenient to change it everyday.

Using some products may also help. Activated carbon or zeolite can absorb nutrients. Some bacteria products like zeobak or MB7 might be help too. I have no experience with those products, but there are many experienced user here. ATS is also an option.

I noticed that many excellent sps keepers in ph 8.4 control nutrients level in the same level. They usually observe the algae growing speed to check the nutrients level. If algae takes more than 1 week to form a thin film on the glass, the nutrients is too low. SPS is starving in this tank. If the glass has to be cleaned everyday, the nutrients level is too high for sps. sps will be brown or even not survived in this tank. You can try this way, too.

Cheers.

 

[machodik]

Hi MD,



As I know, there are several ways you can do. Check if your wave maker strong enough to every corner of your tank. Decrease your feeding amount. Increase frequency of changing your filter bag until the nutrients level is low. You may also use sponge filter such as this. It is more convenient to change it everyday.



Using some products may also help. Activated carbon or zeolite can absorb nutrients. Some bacteria products like zeobak or MB7 might be help too. I have no experience with those products, but there are many experienced user here. ATS is also an option.



I noticed that many excellent sps keepers in ph 8.4 control nutrients level in the same level. They usually observe the algae growing speed to check the nutrients level. If algae takes more than 1 week to form a thin film on the glass, the nutrients is too low. SPS is starving in this tank. If the glass has to be cleaned everyday, the nutrients level is too high for sps. sps will be brown or even not survived in this tank. You can try this way, too.



Cheers.

Hi XDAI27,

Thanks for feedback.

My wave maker consist of 1 vortech MP40 and 1 Jeabao RW 15, each one was located about 17 cm from the tip of the tank and centered. Plus one Seio 2000 at the base of the DT. Pictures below :

I use filter socks which I change and washed every week , like this ;

I have Activated carbon , zeolites stones and use before Zeobak and even I also try MB7. In fact I try everything but failed !

I have to scrub my tank glass wall about one a week or it will looks so dirty. The round patches of the tank back wall was occur since last time I scrub a week ago;

Really don't know if my nuttient is high or low as I use salifert and Hanna where it said my no3 and po4 is good respectively . I wonder If SGS has service to check reef tank water parameter ? If so any advise ?

Cheers,

MD


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[shih87]

I won't believe your tank POM, PDM, or N/P low enough for best coral grow since algae everywhere on glass to glass connect line, inline/outline tubes, rocks, etc... and that pretty much tell me every time when you try to maintain your tank, water change, your tank water parameters must fluctuated big.

 

[machodik]

I won't believe your tank POM, PDM, or N/P low enough for best coral grow since algae everywhere on glass to glass connect line, inline/outline tubes, rocks, etc... and that pretty much tell me every time when you try to maintain your tank, water change, your tank water parameters must fluctuated big.

Hi Joseph,

Yes , I think nuttient still the issue here. You know I try everything but so desperate to see this keep repeating issue over and over again .

So what to do then ?


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[davidsu]

To have SGS test,i think you will have to specify the target elements first. and I am sure it is costly.believe me You dont want to do that.

 

[shih87]

We may need you take better photo to tell, but I don't trust you rock.
Looks more trouble than benefit your tank.

If your rock perform poorly, no sand bed, and Zeolite just dump there in a filter sock...... I don't give great hope there.

 

[machodik]

Thanks David,

Yeah I think SGS will be costly.

But I am really confuse what other test kits that will confined how high my nutrients is? Salifert and Hanna says "I am fine baby" but I suspect it isn't , cause my algae weekly will cover my tank glass And as Joseph said nuttient is fluctuating in my tank !

I know I have large fish inside but I can. Not just dump them as I have feeling with them . They been with me for over 5 years !

May be I switch to LPS plus fish tank ? But SPS is my first love lol!

Cheers,


MD


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[shih87]

You don't need test kit beyond Salifert and Henna. For nutrition other than NO3/PO4, algae grow , coral die tell you enough.

Before dump your rock, try to use a small pump to blow all over your rock. do this for 5 minutes is enough. Tell us what you see.

 

[machodik]

Hi Joseph,

Thanks for guidelines .

I did this afternoon blowing all the rocks and some Debris free flowing and some hard sheets of coralline algae that was detach from my tank base (mine is bare bottom tank).

Although I observe some debris but not much as I expected but some rocks was a bit clear off , but not much difference although it is not 5 mins blow may be around 3 or so.

So what's next buddy ? Please further advise.

Cheers


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[shih87]

I would suggest the following...

1) Replace live rock. I know Hsinchu Deepmost just got some really nice live rock yesterday

2) Since you don't have enough space for Zeolite reactor, than I would suggest you add a 2 cm sandbed to increase space for Zeobak bacteria.

3) Keep parameters steady

4) Increase feeding frequency. Try two months that you always turn skimmer off for 2 hours when feeding. If coral react good, then gradually reduce skimmer off period. I remember you don't see PE most of time, you need find way that your coral show PE.

 

[machodik]

Thanks for advise Joseph , you always come to rescue . Hope someday If you happen to be around Taipei , drop by to my house and may be an on spot diagnose will be a good idea .

I will contact deep most for the live rocks .

If choose between sand bed and zeolite reactor then I choose the later one as I think it is much easier than sand bed in my case.

So this means I have to be back to LZ systems ? I stop it after my no3/po4 does not go down after using several bottles of Zeobak and I infact back to biopellet and it does lowered my no3 and po4 to acceptable range.

Please check and advise.

Cheers


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[davidsu]

adding 2cm sand bed wouldn't get you any trouble! you just need to add 2 or 3 sand starfishes. it is beautiful & more nature like! Having a lot of liverocks with only a thin layer of fine sand can create a very stable tank.I mean not highly fluctuated one.
mine is like this.