Paddy's Ocean - 70 Gallon Mixed Reef **Phoenix Rebuild**

[paddyob]

Originally Posted by BlueTang<3

The alk is low you can get away with it for a bit but too long you can have major tissue losses. Its not good to have large swings dosing and then checking a few hrs later and it was 120 so it was probably higher and fell. I see you are using h2 ocean salt i had the same problem with that salt. It was actually some of the worst salt i had ever used.

No matter which salt I use, I always have Kh issues. At least with H2Ocean I have yet to dose calcium since this tank was set up last summer.

I am playing with dosing to see what I need to doe regularly to keep it up.

[BlueTang<3]

What kind of salts are have u used. I have used reefers best, royal nature, and instant ocean and had better results than h2 ocean.

[paddyob]

Originally Posted by BlueTang<3

What kind of salts are have u used. I have used reefers best, royal nature, and instant ocean and had better results than h2 ocean.

I have used Instant Ocean (years ago - will never use it again), Bio-Sea, SeaChem Reef Salts and now H2Ocean. Asides from the Kh issue, H2Ocean has given me great results.

I don't foresee myself switching from it anytime soon.

[paddyob]

Just a couple pics from today.

Male Maldive Lyretail Anthias...he is doing very well. I installed a feeder on my tank and picked up some NLS Finicky Eater Pellets. The male eats anything I drop in the tank. The female is a little more frozen oriented right now.




Green Bubble Coral

[paddyob]

So today saw a complete cleaning and water tests (that I had).

Looks fantastic!!

Tests:

Temp - 76.1 (lights off), 76.5 (lights on)

SG - 1.029 - ***Water change to lower to 1.025***

NH3 - 0
NO2 - 0
NO3 - <5

Kh - 130
Ca - 380

PO4 - 0
Mg - 1480

Cu - 0 (go figure - ha ha)


I have been dosing builder to raise my Kh and now that it is, it seems the calcium is actually dropping.

I believe the trace amount of NO3 is due to a heavier feeding regimen. I installed a feeder to give my Lyretail Anthias a couple extra feedings a day.

I also removed my foam pad from the sump. Going to go foam/filter sock free and see if it works for my system. So many people argue against the use of them "clean water through old S***" . So, removed. Why not try it out.

[BlueTang<3]

So are u moving your sump and system downstairs? If you are was in Calgary yesterday at someones house and he had like 3ft by 2ft by 18 tanks drilled on the bottom super cheap.

[paddyob]

Originally Posted by BlueTang<3

So are u moving your sump and system downstairs? If you are was in Calgary yesterday at someones house and he had like 3ft by 2ft by 18 tanks drilled on the bottom super cheap.

No. For now the sump will remain upstairs. I am going to run lines for removing water and lines for pumping the salt mix back up. Also water lines and a small RO unit Jason is bringing over. Simplify my water changes. No more buckets.

In the next 5 years we are redoing our upstairs floors... hardwood... so then I will move the sump down as well and only keep the tank upstairs. Baby steps Wes. Baby steps. Ha ha. Its a start.

[BlueTang<3]

Lol ok. If you are getting a tub make sure to get a vertical one mine is horizontal and it starts to get dirty looking after a year or so and cant get in the 4x4" hole to clean it.

[paddyob]

Originally Posted by BlueTang<3

Lol ok. If you are getting a tub make sure to get a vertical one mine is horizontal and it starts to get dirty looking after a year or so and cant get in the 4x4" hole to clean it.

Yea... I am using 20 gallon vertical tubs. Food grade from Zeebest Plastic. Lid and all. The really nice heavy white ones.

[paddyob]

Well unfortunately I lost the female Lyretail yesterday. She seemed to be doing fine over all, but the male definitely bullied her.

This I am sure contributed to her demise. The male is still fat and sassy. Running my six line around and eating anything he can.

I hope he continues in this fashion.