[Bgywrinkle]

Hi All,

This is the third time Ive tried to post a topic -- just turned cookies on -- we'll see if it works.

To the subject...

My coraline is fading and receding. My tank has been running since 2/24/01 . It is a 40 long with 3.5" hd sand. Approx. 80 gals circulate through it, the 30gal refugium and the 20gal sump. There is approx 40lb of live rock, snails,hermit crabs and 2 pepermint shrimp. There is also a good deal of Sargarsium and red Algae in the tank. My EV90 removes some very light foam daily. I have removed some of the above algae to the refugium which has a 4" hd sand bed and some feather Caulerpa. Is the large amt of Algea depleting the nutriants needed by the coraline? Should I shut down the skimmer for a time -- operate it every other day? Iwant to add some corals and fish in the next few weeks, but don't want to if something is wrong. I'm trying to be very patient. Would a heavier bio load help?
Here are additional tank parameters.

3 96w PCs tank lighting
LifeReef overflow
30g Refuguim lighting 2 LOA 27w PCs
20g Sump EV90 skimmer; MAG1200 return pump(2 3/4" returns &
1/2" T bar)

Temp = 82F
PH = 8.2
Total Ammonium/Ammonia = <.05ppm
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 0
Alkalinity = 3.566(10dKH)
SG = 1.024-6

Sorry for the long post -- any insight you can offer will be appreciated!!

Don

[Bgywrinkle]

It worked!!

looks like you have to enable cookies to be able to post with this new board.

OH Well ....

[LisaMarie]

What is your calcium level?

[Bgywrinkle]

Lisa Marie,

Thats the one parameter I haven't been measuring since I didn't have any corals etc. I have been using the two part B-Ionic since 4/08 -- 17 - 20ml every third day to keep the Alkalinity up --

I'll buy a test kit either today or Monday when I go into Boston. It would be interesting if the Calcium level is the issue since I've been telling myself that it can't be because there are no corals yet. The KISS principal could be used in that case.

Thanks for the reply.
Don

[stang69]

For those who dont know KISS is Keep it simple stupid.



Jef

[tlc]

corraline uses calcium. i have a fowlr with corraline spreading good. my ca drops about 20 ppm every 2 weeks....

[Great Reefer Man]

have heard that some coralline growing is a good indicator that corals mayI do well in the tank. The coralline needs calcium and maybe some strontium supplements if you dont use a Ca reactor.

The main reason for this post is this: I want to commend you for taking your time with this tank. It will pay off in the future for you, the tank and the reefs. THANK YOU!!!!!

Dennis

[Bgywrinkle]

Dennis and TLC

Thanks for the responces, the 20ppm drop is interesting -- it has been roughly 4 months since starting equal approx 16 weeks which would mean a drop of 160+ppm -- if levels weren't too high to begin with my using B Ionic isn't going to greatly improve things.

I am Building a Calcium reactor -- A cross between Geo W's and some others I've seen with my own mods.

Haven't picked up a calcium test kit yet -- will have to venture to NH to get one from Inland Reef in Nashua -- They are one of the few relatively local places I trust. It will be interesting to see what levels of Calcium I actually have.

Thanks again,
Don

[tlc]

perhaps a small series of water changes would be beneficial. especially while you are waiting for your test kits. when things seem out of balance a few water changes always seem to help....

[Bgywrinkle]

TLC,

Thanks for continuing to follow along with this-- I've been doing 20%+
Water changes every two weeks just as a habit -- always heard that this was one of the best safty policies to get used to -- hopefully to avoid any catistrophic problems. As a note just noticed a whole lot of new snail babies -- some thing must be working OK.

Regards,
Don

[organicreefer]

you need to get both alk ca test kits .you sound like youre doing everything right ..but youre forgeting one important thing :dont dose anything you cant test for.your water changes probably would have kept everything ok with the bio load you have right now so you probly dont need to use anything.i use b-ionic on my 93 gallon tank i dose 20 of the ca and 23 of alk everyday.i have coralline growth that has covered not only the rocks but also 90%of my powerheads/standpipe.b-ionic is a the easiest way i have tried to maitain these parameters ...once you figure out youre daily dose by testing everyday and adjusting youre dose for a week or so the levels will stay nice and steady ime.
the only test kits you really need (for routine testing imo)are ca and alk so get some decent ones i recomend salifert

[Bgywrinkle]

An update(for what its worth)

Just went to a LFS that I don't normally deal with for some foam pads for my Calc Reactor that is under construction and found a calcium test kit by Red Sea -- I don't usually buy anything of theirs but decided to give it a shot.

Ran right home and made a Measurement (twice just to be on the safe side) and got same results both times. It shows 400-450ppm of Calcium.

That's a real suprise considering all our discussion. Any how,I figured if the Ca levels were off as much as we suspected this might have shown a low level. Any feed back on the Red Sea kit??

I still plan on getting another this weekend.

Regards,
Don