WTH ??
Maybe I missed it ... do you have any idea what caused this?

So sorry to hear 0f all the problems you are having. Hopefully its on the mend and won't slip backward.
I can't help you, sorry

Yes. It's all outlined in the previous post. Te short of it is that I'm pretty sure the resuming of the vinegar started it, then I accidentally roasted the corals with the light, and then there was the alk spike. It was like a 1 2...then 3 punch. :lol:

Thanks for summarizing it for us old folks :mrgreen:
Hope you get a grip on it

Goes to show that even a well-seasoned reefer can/will have problems - not just newbs. It's definitely making me re-visit my habits etc.
Thanks for posting Mindy

ouch.. Yup, the classic, "A Series of Unfortunate Events" syndrome. That'll do it every time. :cry:

Well that sucks. Hows bout just sticking to water changes and stop fiddeling? Not trying to be rude or harsh and sorry if it sounds that way. I've had most problems when I was tweaking this or that and adding different supplements etc. Strictly water changes for me for the last couple of years and been smooth ever since. Good luck

:lol: No, I don't take you as rude or harsh. I wasn't really fiddling though. I wasn't doing anything that I didn't do to previous tanks. I was only dosing kalk + vinegar, nitrate, and feeding lots. If the corals weren't starving to begin with then I don't think the reaction would have been so severe. They were running on hopes and dreams because the tank was unintentionally ULNS. Adding the vinegar back into the kalk was definitely a mistake - I didn't expect it to make that much difference since I had been using it previously and it really wasn't much vinegar per day. Ok I did learn from that, "Don't underestimate vinegar." That's what started the STN (4 days after adding the vinegar back in). The sudden increase in lighting was mainly because of my unfamiliarity with the dimming feature of the new fixture and I didn't recognize the symptoms of alk burn because the corals were already STN'ing. There was also some significant health issues in my immediate family too, so my own tank was on the back burner. That didn't help.

I have some inexpensive frags coming from Canada Corals next week to "test the waters", and we'll be back on track in no time. :)

So, kind of a funny story...

...I asked the LFS to let me know the next time he's doing an order that has Ignitus (Flame) Anthias available and I can give that another go. So I'm on vacay last week and not paying attention much and he texts me, "Do you want some Flavo Anthias"? I'm like ya, sure. In my mind I was thinking he mis-typed "Flame", and it didn't even occur to me that the Red Saddled Anthias is Pseudanthias flavoguttatus. So I go in there a couple days ago and ask when are the Ignitus showing up? He tells me they aren't Ignitus, they are Flavo. I'm like, shiat. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/im...es/grlaugh.gif They are a deeper water species and they are coming from Philippines so I was a bit concerned for their health/acclimation, plus I'm also worried they might be a shy fish in a high light tank like mine. Plus, I just don't know much about this particular species.

I did some research, and it seems like they acclimate both to captivity and higher light better than a lot of other deep water Anthias. It probably helps that they really aren't super deep - Fish Base says 60-200 ft. They get a bit bigger than I was hoping - the males will get a tad over 4" and the females not a lot smaller. The Flame Anthias is more in the 3-3.5" range. However, the Red Saddled Anthias females are almost as colorful as males.

So I go in yesterday to check them out and only one arrived. :( However, and that's a big HOWEVER, there was a trio of Dwarf Pintail Fairy Wrasses! :eek: I only brought one home though - a female that's starting to transition. SO STOKED! I've been asking my LFS to get this fish for almost a year. :D

So I get the two fish home and put them in my QT with some other small fish that are in there. Let me tell you, this Anthias is beautiful!!! Both fish are eating today. I can't wait to get them in my display. :)

Not my pic:
https://cdn.reefs.com/blog/wp-conten...oguttatus3.jpg

From Reef Builders. http://reefbuilders.com/2013/12/02/p...lds-aquariums/
http://reefbuilders.com/files/2013/1...anceolatus.jpg

Both fish that are on my wish list, haha congrats. Flavo anthias is a stunner for sure.


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Goodies from Canada Corals.

This one I picked up for a buddy:
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k4...20-%20Copy.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k4...02015%2013.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k4...20-%20Copy.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k4...02015%2012.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k4...20-%20Copy.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k4...02015%2011.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k4...20-%20Copy.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k4...02015%2010.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k4...20-%20Copy.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k4...202015%209.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k4...20-%20Copy.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k4...202015%208.jpg


http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k4...20-%20Copy.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k4...202015%207.jpg



This next one is a wild Aussie mini colony. I'm not sure how it will do, but I am hoping it will be ok. It looks like it will be a stunner. It has a green/teal base to it and bluish tips. It didn't like the Bayer dip.
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k4...202015%204.jpg



This one I think looks like a spath, but I think it is a Bali piece which makes me think it must be papillare. I sent an email to CC to find out where it came from. It also didn't like the Bayer dip. It was much brighter.
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k4...202015%203.jpg

I added the Pintail Wrasse to the display last night after lights out. This morning I didn't see him, but as soon as I fed the tank he showed up for breakfast. He's swimming around, but definitely hanging out by the powerheads because the Royal Gramma is harassing him. I'll be watching like a hawk today to make sure the RG isn't being too much of a jerk or he will have to go. The RG didn't bother the Yellow Coris (H chrysus) at all when he was added a few weeks ago, bu the YC is bigger than the Pintail. The Pintail is much smaller than the RG. Of course this is after yesterday when I exclaimed to a friend that my RG was a model citizen, unlike his. Of course, right?! :facepalm:

Unfortunately, the Flavo Anthias didn't make it through PraziPro treatment. The Prazi caused the Anthias to be anorexic, and even though I moved him out of the medication, he didn't recover. Even more unfortunate is that I ordered two more while the Anthias was still doing well, and they'll show up next week. So far, I haven't had any Anthias make it through my PraziPro treatment - they go downhill right away. I'll have to rethink my treatment protocol.

I traded some frags with a friend yesterday and came home with a Green Dragon, a Lime in the Sky stag, and a very pretty unidentified Acro from a Bali mariculture piece. I'll take some pics when the white lights come on.

Yesterday I finally climbed up in the attic and got the lights hung from the ceiling since I gave up on my hanging brackets. Finally the tank looks finished. Now all that is left is to organize the dry side of the sump area - cords need to controlled and the ADJ powerbars need to be mounted. Oh, and I still have to redo the return plumbing from the pump to the bulkhead and replace the QuietOne with the Eheim and get that tee installed so I can use the return pump to fill my buckets for WCs instead of pulling water from the display. The hold up there is that I can't find any 3/4" SCH80 ball valves with slip/socket ends.

Ok let's see a tank shot with lights, stand etc.
And I'd ditch the RG:lol:

I have 5 rg in my tank ime there all show no real balls

We had such a beautiful sunny day today that I should have taken pictures earlier with the natural sunlight. It's just not the same with lamps.

The RG is being bossy by flaring at the Pintail, but hasn't actually made any contact with it. The Pintail has been hanging out by the powerheads, frag rack, and return plumbing, but it doesn't seem stressed at all. It's pretty comfortable with captivity - it's been in my QT for awhile. I tried to catch the RG today, but that was sooo not going to happen. I think I'll leave it be for now, but I don't think the RG will be a permanent fish for the tank.

Yeah, they flare and charge, but they don't usually cause any physical damage.



Don't mind the ADJ powerbar sticking out from behind. :o
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k4...202015%203.jpg



I'm probably going to replace the upright corner pieces of the stand with walnut and add a beer ledge next year. I'm not liking the solid grey color.
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k4...02015%2011.jpg



If you look real hard you can see some baby sticks!
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k4...202015%209.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k4...202015%207.jpg

Looks great

Looks good Mindy!!

Beer ledge?? That'll put dimples in your ass:biggrin:

Thanks! It's a work in (slow) progress.
:lol: Only if I remove the beer from the ledge and consume it (which is pretty likely!).

You stand turned out amazing. I somewhat agree about the corner pieces, a contrast would look great.. You got mad skills mindy

Nice clean look!
I use the same auto feeder. Simple and will never over feed .

Thanks Nick. I think it would look good to match the floor.

Thank you. :) I still have to clean up the tank itself though - that ugly MaxiJet on the left is temporary. I have a Gyre, but it has a cracked cord - hopefully that will get dealt with soon and I can get that ugly thing out of there. The frag rack isn't usually in there either, but it has a Space Invaders Pectina frag on it right now holding it up high so it's easier to feed it.

That auto feeder is the bomb. For $20 it's a good investment. It's also slim and doesn't look too bad. Sitting up there on the light it doesn't get any condensation in it or salt spray. It feeds the fish pellets twice a day and then I feed them frozen twice a day.

Is that feeder a fish mate?
It does look slim.
I have an eheim which works ok for me but does not blend in as well.

Yes it is. I bought them in bulk when I had the MO hatchery going and now I have about a dozen left. 4 years on most of them and only one dud so far. Pretty good $20. Plus, if they mess up they just stop working - they won't overfeed.

Not sure if you can find these in Canada anymore?

I bought them from Dr Foster & Smith, but they quit selling them. I have found them on amazon.ca and amazon.com

I've been experimenting with AcroPower. Before the mini-crash, I was dosing 1 cap (5 mL) every 2nd day plus a bunch of other foods as I was attempting to get some nutrients in the tank. I had been doing this for only 2 weeks when the mini-crash occurred, and I stopped all dosing at that point.

The directions on the AcroPower bottle say 5 mL per 25 gallons once a week or as often as daily. So I figure this time around I'll dose everyday since it's the only thing going into the tank at this point besides fish food, but keep it light. So I was dosing 2.5 mL every evening into 80 gallons of volume, so that's like less than 1/6th of the recommendation. On Monday morning I noticed cyano on the tip of one rock. Well crap! So I didn't dose on Monday or Tuesday evening and the cyano is gone now.

I'm going to try doing a larger dose once a week and see what happens. This should "flood" the water, let the Acros absorb it, then get it out of the system via skimmer. This should all happen pretty quickly, maybe a few hours. So the tank will have the AcroPower in it only once per week for a few hours rather than everyday for maybe an hour (guesstimating the times here). I'm thinking I'll try 1 cap (5 mL) once per week which is still less than 1/3 dose.

I have read a few threads that claim the same as you have.
I was planning on using salifert aa. As my po4 is 0.006 and no3 undetectable.

In the short time did u notice better pe or any other benefits

The trouble with AA's is that if your tank doesn't need them, it's going to cause trouble. I'll try this other dose and see if it does anything. If it's a no go, then I'll take the hint that my tank doesn't need it. :D

I didn't notice any difference in the tank (even pre-mini-crash). The tank is starting to color up again since the mini-crash and I noticed that just in the last few days, but I think the timing is just coincidental. Maybe not though, who knows for sure.

I have been apprehensive at adding a supplement to the tank and instead have been raising bioload.
Problem Is I have some acros that are just a pain in the ass to colour up while others are great looking. I have great pe on acros and growth is good..
I have been overfeeding also but I believe. That has contributed to a little bout of valonia.

I would like to try but don't want to run into problems

Valonia lives off of fairy dust, I'm pretty sure. It actually lives off of very, very little nutrients. It's the last algae to leave in Zeovit tanks and other similar ULNS. Try moving your less colorful corals to a spot of higher or lower light - it might not be nutrients at all.

I did pick up a one spot for the valonia but to no surprise is not touching it lol. I have manually removed 98% of it.

I will def try to relocate some of the pieces that are not colouring the best but my tank only has 11"of water lol.

I am going to borrow my friends par matter to see where it's at for the prices that are struggling to colour

Thanks mindy

I think you will be surprised how much the PAR drops off near the edges of the tank. I have one spot in my tank that is actually at the top of the rocks in the back corner of my tank (about 4" from the side/back) and it has half the PAR than the sand in the middle of the tank! So I can put a lower-light Acro up there.

So I had plans to stock some rare wrasses in my tank, and had the LFS on the hunt for me, but now I have a 15-day dive trip to the Philippines planned for February, so my spending needs to be controlled! I was going to just wait on stocking, but I was at the LFS and there were two of the nicest Carpenter's Wrasses that I've ever seen (not including pictures lol) and on Black Friday sale for $15! :eek: So I brought home a huge super male and he's in the QT right now. He's very shy - took him two days just to swim around.

The corals and frags I got at Canada Corals are looking good with the exception of one that has burned tips. I'm not sure why. I want to double check the alkalinity against the Salifert kit I'm using, but the LFS is out of Hanna alkalinity reagent and so am I.

The previous corals in the tank have either made a full recovery or have not recovered at all. Weird. There are 4 pieces that look terrible and have not recovered the areas that STNed (SSC, lovelli, florida, exquisita). The rest of the corals have recovered the STNed areas almost completely (Hawkins, setosa, Garf, capitata, etc).

"I want to double check the alkalinity against the Salifert kit I'm using"

I have always found inconsistent results from different alk reagents on hanna.. I strictly use salifert now for alk test

I'm jacked for you, me and my wife just got back from 30 days in Indonesia and did diving all around and went on a dive boat in raja ampat, we were strongly looking at philipeens but last minute changed to Indonesia. I will have to get my act together and edit my go pro footage faster cause the diving in philipeens and indo is crazy . Have you guys been there before ?

I've heard lots of people say that which seems to be correlated to having the reagent open for a period of time. I go through it super fast, so it's never open for longer than a couple months, max. My Hanna and Salifert are always within 0.25 dKH of each other.

Wow, 30 days!!! I wish! I would have to totally rearrange life to get away for that long. Yeah, post some vids already! I'm going sans hubby, and neither of us have been anywhere in Asia before, I'm pretty pumped!

My Pintail jumped out!!!!! :puppydog: I have no idea how it got out. :twitch: It doesn't fit through the weir. It doesn't fit through the screen mesh. The screen wasn't off. The only thing I can think of is that it jumped out when I lifted the front of the screen to put food in.

RIP Pintail. :cry:

The Aussie Acro I picked up from Canada Corals 3 1/2 weeks ago is starting to color up in the last week. I think it is Acropora microclados, but I'm not sure. I think it's going to color up to be a Strawberry Shortcake type with blue tips. The tips are baby blue right now, but my picture doesn't really show it.

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k4...2015%203_1.jpg

Nooooo, not the pintail!

I swear, I am not allowed to keep fish worth more than $50. They always have something stupid happen.