Blah coral colours... any tips? - Page 2

doch · #11 06-15-2010, 07:07 PM

High Tide - Thanks for all the advice... much appreciated. What would you recommend for media in the filter if bio balls are no good? I looked it up on line and the Toms come with bio balls and scintered glass media. As said earlier, I also use the filter floss like stuff, and the carbon. Should I get rid of the bio balls and glass media? Should they be replaced with anything?

High tide · #12 06-15-2010, 09:55 PM

No problem, glad to offer some advice.
Just the filter floss, cleaned or replaced regularly, and carbon changed periodically are good enough. Bio balls and sintered glass are designed for fish only systems where NO3 is not as big a deal and much better than NH3 and NO2. They have no place in a reef tank. It would help to put a Chemi-pure Elite in there to bring down your PO4 and NO3 when needed.

doch · #13 06-15-2010, 10:42 PM

I'm actually very seriously thinking of running zeo. Found a set up in Calgary that I'm hoping I can buy. He's also got 2 little fishies reactor. If that doesn't work out, I'll likely buy new soon. I'll also make some tweaks in the filtration as soon as I have some time (finish the reno's - 1 more day should do it). Thanks again everyone! Appreciate the advice!

saltynuts · #14 06-15-2010, 11:07 PM

buy a bigger tank lol. let use know how things go.

doch · #15 06-16-2010, 12:55 AM

Ed, I can't wait until we're done these reno's, and into the new (but not yet found) house with my new (and not yet picked out) 180ish tank. CAN'T WAIT!!! My little 55 is running out of room already! Hmmm... maybe it's a good thing that things are growing slowly!! hahaha

doch · #16 07-10-2010, 04:55 AM

Little update for those interested. Here's what I did:

1. Pulled the Bio balls out of my filter
2. Double checked my water with Elos test kits... results came in comparable to the Hagen kits
3. Added a GFO reactor
4. Picked up a Hanna Phosphate tester (down to 0.02)
5. Picked up several of the Zeo supplements

Essentially this all went down within the last 2 weeks, and man have I noticed a BIG difference. Almost everything has a new splash of colour to it already. Unfortunately there are a few that still look pretty blah, but I'm confident that they will some around. Not sure if it was one of those actions, or the combination of them all, but either way... I'm very happy!! I've also noticed an increase in growht... some of the frags that have never shown any signs of growth have new (and colourful) tips!! All is well and good.... thanks for the tips boys and girls... MUCH appreciated!