Leonardo's BB ShallowCube

[gman0526]

Ok... I think you're experiencing a case of "Whiskisizing" too much (Wiskey you know I love you Bro ) You added flow, then added fish, then started the amino route, lost a colony and added sand all in about 2 mos if I'm not mistaken. You need to step back from the tank and let it be. No sand has one drawback changes happen way too quick, since everything affects corals directly right away you don't have that "buffer" that a SB gives you. I hope everything works ou for you and good luck in your exams.

[ScruffyRubicon]

Beautiful tank!

[Leonardo's Reef]

ScruffyRubicon; thanx!
Gwaco, Gman; thanks for wishing me luck! I will need it

I know, I mess with the tank way too much. But it feels better to be constantly "improve" things then just let it develop. Even if the best thing is patience.
But actually, I'm getting a bit tired of all the changes. When the sand is out, all I will do is maintenance and trying to find a few more nice fish. Thats it. You guys have my word on that!

I do have some good news. A few weeks ago I changed my Phoenix 14K DE 250 watt for a AB 10K...
Okay, the lights is a bit yellow, but the amount of light is enormous! According to Sanjay's information this is the DE bulb with the highest PAR. I notice an increase in growth, especially in my Millepora. It's really starting to grow fast now!

New pictures after the weekend.

Leonardo

[Wiskey]

Your going to make me do monthly reports on what I changed in my tanks aren't you Gman?

Seriousally, when things really aren't going right it's very hard to just sit back, I'm not talking about a little loss of color, or a little slower growth, I'm talking about where my tank was, Little PE, Widespred bleaching, and most of the corals slowly dieing.

Good Luck Leonardo! I hope you get things back on track!
Whiskey

[gman0526]

Come on bud is all out of love I'm sure that everytime you get the urge to put your hand in the tank you think about me

[Wiskey]

Originally Posted by gman0526

Come on bud is all out of love I'm sure that everytime you get the urge to put your hand in the tank you think about me

No, not really, but I could start if you want me too

I can tell you this, over the last 2 months, on both my tanks this is what I have changed:

Started feeding Cyclopeaze again because I finally bought more.

Let Alk in my 125 drift up to 10, then started having some issues, so I adjusted the pump and let it drift back to 8-9.

Put corals that fell down back.

Treated for Red Bugs.

Whiskey

[Leonardo's Reef]

Okay! Sand goes out this afternoon. Will clean the sump, skimmer, return pump etc. and do a large waterchange. Also one of the convicts will leave today b/c of the fighting...

I did discover something while using the sand. Now that my flow is'nt so strong anymore, PE and growth have accelerated (besides the influence of the new lamp) Also the fish are more in the "open water"
I didn't notice a change in the pH or the alkalinity while using sand. Therefore I don't think sand has a "buffering" ability to the alkalinity. (some claim that)

Tonight (it's 12 A.M here) I hope it will be finished!!

Leonardo

[elephen]

Originally Posted by Leonardo's Reef

I didn't notice a change in the pH or the alkalinity while using sand. Therefore I don't think sand has a "buffering" ability to the alkalinity. (some claim that)

Leave the sand in there and just wait if you want to see the buffering ability. It takes some time for it to get established.

[Mike O'Brien]

Sand does not buffer alkalinity unless it's in a reactor using CO2.

[Leonardo's Reef]

Pfff what situation. after a week of studying and exams, I have removed all the sand and did an 40% waterchange.
This means lots of frustration, staying up till 3 A.M. because you have to wait for more RO water, etc... But I did survive, and my corals and fish too!

I installed a RDSB in the sump. It is a 1,2 Gallon Bucket. It's about 7 inch deep.

I don't have a new FTS, the tank is still a bit cloudy/messy. All the corals and fish are in good condition.

The next thing I will do is........ NOTHING! Keep my hands out of the tank for a while!



Leonardo

[Wiskey]

One great thing about how you did htat RDSB is it will be really eazy to replace when it starts to load up!

What are your nitrates right now?

Whiskey

[Leonardo's Reef]

Nitrates are not measurable... Same as before the DSB.

Leonardo

[Wiskey]

Cool I one difference between your tank and mine is no mater what I did I could never get undetectable nitrates, they were always 5.

Whiskey

[Leonardo's Reef]

The buildup of detritus in the DSB is (partially) prevented b/c the DSB comes after the Micron-Bag (not always used) and skimmer.
Next week I will seed my DSB with some sand that contains pods, bristle worms etc. This to make the chance of a crash even smaller. Also it helps to higher the biodiversity, amount of pods, larvae etc.

Leonardo


(notice the male with the dark blue head. He's constantly trying to impress the females by enlarging his gills )

[panic]

Rather than a remote sand bed, I keep 100kg of LR in my sump for sponge, featherdusters and pods to grow. I think this helps stabilize my system as well, and won't ever get full of junk like a sandbed. There are 2 stages of filter socks before the sump, so there is very little detritus found on the bottom.