Quick update;

I now only have two SPS frags that are still alive. Both still show no polyp extension.

I've decided that I won't buy anymore SPS until at least April. I still don't have any clue as to why I can no longer keep SPS. I can't figure out why things were going so well with my frags/colony until a few weeks ago. In the mean time I'm just going to let the tank chug along and see where it goes.

The fish all still seem happy and healthy, same goes for the clams and the few softies/LPS I have. Its a good sign and its something to focus on for the time being.

I'm seeing some more subtle transformations and changes within my system. Algae growth on the glass seems to come more frequently, and in a larger quantity. My clams can't seem to get "comfortable", my small crocea, and my large derasa are regularly changing their positions. One day they orient with the MH bulb, and the next they are perpendicular.

I still want to try SPS again, but I am wary. This is the first time in probably 8 or more months in which I've actually had to put out my own money for tank supplies and livestock. My previous cube was self sustaining and I was more then able to buy all my own supplies and livestock. My funds are running out, so I guess I have to start putting my own money into the system if I want to try SPS again.

I figured out why my levels were a bit out on my last reading and I've corrected it. I use Ultra Mag reactor media in my Ca. reactor along with ARM media. The Ultra Mag needed to be replaced, along with my kalk powder in my kalk. reactor. I fixed those at the end of last week, after turning my reactors back online. So a few minor adjustments and now my chemistry is back inline.

I never thought I could go through that much media so quickly, but the last time I dialed in my Ca. reactor was after I had removed all my dead SPS, and sent my clams to a friends for care.

The thicker and more frequent algae growth on the glass was something that happened with my 28g cube. I'm seeing more and more familiar signs and correlations between my previous cube and this tank, its making me hopeful about keeping SPS again.

This tank is not making me a happy reef keeper.

So yesterday the Snapper pump started making these squeeking noises. So yesterday evening all the pumps on the system were cleaned and then system went back online. I saw increased flow from the pump, but nothing else happened.

This morning I woke up to a quiet tank, the pump failed. It seized, but since there was no power outtage the back up battery system didn't kick on and the tank was without power and heat for who knows how long. Thankfully there were no deaths, and the temperature drop was minimal, and everything was still within acceptable levels when I noticed it.

I love my battery back up!
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...DSC_0005-4.jpg

So then I had to rush off to pick up a new pump. By the time I'd come home more problems had cropped up. In an attempt to remove the Snapper pump, the sump got cracked.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...DSC_0004-3.jpg

I came home with a new pump, a Reeflo Dart this time instead of a Snapper. This was not a cost that I really wanted to put out for. The timing of this pump failure is bad. I've sent off an email to Reeflo to see what may be done about the pump, I've heard that their customer service is usually quite good. I hope something of benefit comes out of this.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...DSC_0008-1.jpg

Pumps side by side, top is the Dart, and lower is the Snapper
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...DSC_0002-2.jpg

Left is the Snapper and right is the Dart
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...DSC_0003-2.jpg

Pump pictured is the Dart, and the grey portion is the Snapper's to illustrate the difference between the two.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ka/DSC_2-1.jpg

So now I'm spending my day supervising the replacement of a my main pump, and I'm hoping very much that nothing else breaks or stops working before I can really afford to make changes or repairs on the system.

So I am going to tear down this tank temporarily. I have settled on the fact that my SPS deaths are related to the tank itself or the sump in some way. I've tested my water endlessly and looked at what I think are the most likely possiblities. I haven't yet set a date for this, however it will be soon.

I have also recently noticed that one side of my tank is sinking into the floor. I'll also be relocating the tank at the same time.

I've tested my Ca reactor effluent after changing out all my Ca related media and chaining up all my reactors. The water runs through my Ca reactor in this order; Ca Reactor with ARM media, Phosban reactor, Magnesium reactor then into the tank.

pH 7.6
Ca 430ppm
dKH 12
P04 0.01

The tank is still producing filamentous algae on the glass, and everything seems happy. I've fed the tank my homemade fish food for the second time today, and the fish seem to really like it. I on the otherhand can only taste and smelll garlic after having made it.

Here is the process for making the food. It contains the following; Mysis, Nori (All colors), Oyster Eggs, Garlic (crushed), Scallops, Vitamins (selcon and zoe), Squid, Krill, Spirulina flakes, Rotifers, Brine Shrimp, Cyclop-eeze, Silversides, Cuddlefish, Shrimp.

First I defrosted the frozen goods in RO/DI. I spent two hours thawing and rinsing them until the water ran semi-clear.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...DSC_0033-2.jpg

Next up I peeled garlic, and lots of it. FYI this much garlic was required to make 35 cups of product.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...DSC_0036-1.jpg

I added these;
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...DSC_0038-2.jpg

Then nori in all three colors
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...DSC_0040-2.jpg

All together now
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...DSC_0042-1.jpg

After the puree button
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...a/DSC_0044.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...DSC_0046-1.jpg

Now with some of the frozen goods added;
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...a/DSC_0048.jpg

All mixed together, it was very thick, and hard on the arms
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...DSC_0049-1.jpg

Final product
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...DSC_0050-3.jpg

My favorite tool of the day, yay for the ugly 1970s relic which has kept most of the smell from clinging into my house.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...a/DSC_0047.jpg

That stuff looks positively vile. Yum yum!

Sorry to hear about the continued SPS deaths. It's a frustration I know well though, so I empathize. :neutral:

Apologies if this is in an earlier page, but you do have a picture of your Ca reactor to phosban reactor to magnesium reactor setup?

I'll find a few photos of the new Ca reactor set up and post them later.

This SPS death thing has to be the tank, I can't see what else it could be. The temporary tear down is going to involve breaking down the actual tank. I may even replace it, I don't fully know yet. What I do know though is that a part of my plumbing has just sprung a slow leak, urg!

Thanks for making the seafood melody Catherine. If I had done it my kitchen would not look as neat as yours.

No problem, it was pretty fun actually.

The tank is officially coming done, and soon.

The pump disaster from March 1st, still isn't resolved. My emails to Reeflo Plumps go unanswered, and their phone number is constantly busy. I have since reached out to a local vendor to see if they have any way of getting in touch with Reeflo. I just find this absolutely uacceptable, and this is impacting my future odds of buying Reeflo negatively.

The tank will receive some new livestock today. I am sharing in a livegoods order from Ocean Aquatics today. I will be adding in more clams to this tank. I also ordered some fish, but they are for another system, my non-nano tang & larger fish friendly tank.

FYI the information Reeflo includes with their pumps, e.g their toll free phone number is only for US residents, the correct number for Canadian residents is 719 231 2761

No progress on the pump, I finally spoke with someone and said person is telling me that their pumps don't fail, thus it must be my fault something happened. I, of course disagree and will persue the matter further, although should I see no resolution by April 15th, I will just cut my losses and move on.