MtnDewMan has been MIA

[MtnDewMan]

I have been quite busy with work lately so haven't had a chance to get online here much. I have also been having some tank issues as well, so have been trying to get it back into shape. I had a serious RTN event that has continued for a couple of months. It is a slow process. Have had algae and such as well because of the die off ... Soooooooooo, I am in recovery mode.

I think I may have found a major culprit a couple of days ago with my problems. That would be tank temperature. I have been under the impression that my tank has been maxing out at 83 and 84 degrees during the day. Well I bought a new thermometer today, the digital kind as well as hooked up a small chiller (knowing that I have been heating my tank too much during the day) and to my surprise, my tank temperature has been running upwards of 86F consistently for a long time. I think that could be a big part of my coral stress problems. My chiller is now hooked up and is keeping my tank between 78 and 80 now ... Will see how that does in a couple of weeks ...

Here is a picture of my tank back in Feb 2003 and the next one was taken Saturday (May 2003):






Here is a picture of the tank back in February with yellow dots that mark coral that has been either affected by the problems or gone because of the problems. Very sad, but hopefully will be on the better side soon.

[o2manyfish]

It's horrible the losses you have dealt with. And amazingly your tank is still fantastic and is what so many people dream of achieving one day.

I also thought that given all the stresses, the large colony on the bottom which appears to be an tri-color has had great growth through your hardship.

Good luck.

Dave

[zhenya]

Hey Chuck,

Nice to see you back I'm glad that your tank is on the mend and maybe the temperatures were the major culprit.
Your tank is still one of the most beautiful tanks around,but looking at all those yellow dots sure makes me sad.
That was some losses
That huge A.nana on the bottom is still awesome looking as always.

[MtnDewMan]

Defiinately a huge loss and definately depressing. I can only hope that the tank temperature is a primary player in my problems. More algae and slime that I can shake a stick at lately ... haha ...

[steveweast]

I'm just glad that the purple staghorn/formosa is still with you...I wouldn't mind a piece of that one day. You might want to take this unfortunate event as an opportunity to just have fewer, yet more spectacular, pieces. Recently, I parted with many of my large heads...it was hard since I grew them from small pieces; yet, when all was said and done, I'm happier with a more open look and less jungle.

[Reefland]

I feel your pain brother. We have lost quite a few of our pieces too over the past month and have stopped any additions until things settle down and we get our macro algae problem defeated. Depressing is an understatement isn't it! Stick with it and keep up the work Chuck, we'll get through it together!

[reddhaus]

I to am sorry to hear about your losses. Although you lost some very nice pieces your tank still looks great. I know you will have it back to it's old glory in no time.

[MtnDewMan]

Thanks guys for the support. Scott, I am sorry to hear about your problems as well. Are they similar in nature to what I am going through? What does your tank temperature run at?

[Reefland]

My problems seem very similar (other than the macro algae problem). From the digital thermometer we have, the tank temps run between 79 and 82. Although seem similar, our problems are probably from different causes; as you have mentioned you believe temp is a cause of yours and although not present (due to the rate of consumption by the algae) I beleive ours is from DOC's. Besides the algae (which again is very pretty just too much of it) our tank is looking very healthy for the moment. There are no corals in the tank that are suffering and all other livestock is healthy. My concern is adding to the bio-load when there is already a problem. I hope that adding the new skimmer (very soon) and most likely incorporating a refugium (soon) will solve our problems.

[stik head]

i have been talking to todd latley at aqutica and he is starting to make some nice skimmers make that awsome todd also turned me on to this site you ought to go have him make you one he makes one simmilar to a aqua c that he can make for way less and out performes

[Reefland]

Yeah that is the skimmer I am going to get. In fact the last time I was there mine was sitting in the front of the store but I am waiting for him to get me some pump parts to get it going. The one's he has made seem to perform very nicely, I am looking forward to giving this one a trial run.

[DL]

Chuck,

A true bummer.

I think the lower temps will help alot. Been reefing for 10 years now, and I have noticed that higher temps are the biggest cause of RTN type occurances. My reef runs 78-82 in winter and 80-84 in summer. When it runs in the 84 and up range is when I see problems. Didn't help that my digital temp reader reads 3 degrees to low compared to all the glass thermometers. For awhile, I didn't know about the 3 degree diff and my tank was actually reaching 85 for extended periods. I had many more RTN type problems then. Between temps under 84 and keeping your alkalinity up, I feel those two things help with RTN. Or I could be wrong about all this.;)

[MtnDewMan]

I sure hope so ... it has been about a week ... We will see how it looks in a couple of more. I think it will need a good month with stable temperatures to really see what the effects of the more consistent temperature will be. Not only with coral but the algae problems that came along with the dieoff and nutrient buildup.

[Steve H.]

I've finally began making my transition to SPS and seeing this happen to a tank that has been an inspiration to me is just scary. I'm staying the path with my transition, but that is really heartbreaking to see. You're tank is still one of the best even after your recent losses. Keep your head up and hang in there.

[golfish]

MDM, forget about it, your tank will bounce back with no problems...........The chiller is a must considering all the lights we run. I found my tank did much better running around 80 then it did at 82-83.. My temp swing stayed about the same (2-4 degrees) but the lower temp did wonders.

[MtnDewMan]

I think you are right, the chiller has ben running for a few weeks and I am noticing improvements in the tank. Still hair algae but other things are clearing up ... I see the slow progress

[dick182]

First of all, I'll add my condolences to the list, your tank is one that i aspire too. And because of that, I'll double check my thermometer today.
having said that, I swear you just glue that clownfish to the front of your tank.

[MtnDewMan]

Yah, that fish sure is a ham for the camera