Help With Deepwater Acro

[Myka]

You have not mentioned the use of a protein skimmer, what protein skimmer are you using, and what size is the tank? Providing more information about the rest of the tank will really help. If you can post a full tank photo that could be of great assistance as well.

In order to get great coloring of any corals there are many determining factors. Lighting is usually easy to provide. The biggest factor is water quality - all aspects: stability, the availability of good nutrients, the lack of poor nutrients, clarity, etc. SPS corals are particularly sensitive, and many people cannot achieve great, colorful success with them.

As far as water goes, it needs to be pristine. High nitrates are a sign that the water really isn't up to par. Steady "big three" dosing is imperative (calcium, alkalinity, magnesium). A carbon source is often a big help to improve water quality - be it vodka, Fauna Marin, my personal choice Zeovit, or an abundance of other products, and in my opinion should be a part of any SPS system (albeit there are those more experienced reefers that prefer the "challenge" of doing it differently). In a healthy reef tank you should not get detectable nitrate or phosphate. Imo, your high nitrates are at the very least contributing greatly to the issue. I also take high nitrates as a sign that your tank isn't as healthy as it should be, and there my be other issues as well.

You may find that simply dosing Zeovit Coral Snow and ZeoBak together (as per directions in the Zeovit guide) will greatly improve your water quality. Many people don't understand that you can use just a few additives, you don't need the whole line of products to make a significant difference. The use of the above mentioned products is my recommendation to you.

[viperfish]

Great advice Myka. My tank is a 110 Gallon (tall) drilled , I have a 55 Gal sump/fuge,and a 33 Gal prop tank all connected together. I have an Aqua Euro USA 250 Skimmer, 36 Watt Aquamedic UV, My return pump is a Mag 12. For flow I have two MJ 1200 with the 2200 GPH Algea Free kit, and I have a Hagen Aquaclear 70 PH with a Hydor flow diverter. My method of flow generation needs some upgrading, but I don't have any dead spots. I have been researching Zeovit and it does look very interesting. I guess I'm a little hesitant sometimes because there are a lot of companies selling junk and it's hard to know what's what sometimes. Is there a guide to using Zeovit anywhere? Or sould I just buy the starter kit? I posted pics of my tanks this week http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=56839

[dawen]

here is the guide for the zeovit, also u can post for help in the forum in zeovit.com

http://www.korallen-zucht.de/files/z..._english-1.pdf

[fishytime]

Chances are your ATS wont work if you decide to start running Zeo...The zeo system will remove all phosphates and nutrients from the water column, likely rendering your ATS useless. I personally would ditch the UV sterilizer....They kill both bad and good stuff.....You said you added the acro 4 months ago?....how old is the tank?

[viperfish]

The tank is a year old. I added the UV when my Tangs had ich, they were lucky enough to kick it so I decided to take every precaution. I have the UV on a timer running 12 hrs a day.

[Myka]

I wouldn't bother with the complete Zeovit line (which starts with the start kit) unless you're planning a SPS dominant tank where an ultra low nutrient system will lead to ultimate coloration. You don't need the reactor and the zeolites, and the whole shebang. If I were you I would post on Zeovit forums and ask them how to bring down your nitrate without using the whole system. They are very welcoming there, and find no offense in those who just want to use a few additives. However, I warn you that once you get into it and notice the dramatic results it is difficult to not buy the product line!! I am a HUUUUUUUGE skeptic, and it took me a few years to try it, but I started using a few products about a year ago, and I haven't looked back since.

You will have to take the UV sterilizer off line though, as it will kill the bacteria you are dosing into the water column. You can always get it back online if you have an Ich outbreak.