Tank Changing! HELP

[leon]

The tank sounds as though its a new setup, the algea bloom is just a natural process of cycling/maturing process You will probably find that youll get one type of growth, that will go then you'll get another, It does look horrible, but once its eaten up the nutrients it needs then they/it will go. Cyano is a red film that covers the substrate, or what ever, as said its a bacteria, and to help rid this make sure there is sufficient water flow everywhere.
Why are you adding trace elements, have you tested for these?. There should be no need to add trace elements into a new tank, the salt should provide the tank with all the neccessary trace's your tank needs, and these really only come into effect when you have alot of corals that use these elements up.The same goes for the phyto, there shouldnt be any need to add it yet. that could overfeed, plus adding to more algae.
I would have the llights on for a shorter time, the actinics are no prob, but when i had my algea bloom i had the MH on for 5 hrs a day, when it eventually went i added an hour every 2 weeks.
leon

 

[KimPossible]

Ok, I'm confused!

I upgraded my lights and started adding trace elements because I added some polyps and am preparing for a Colt Coral.... no, I do not intend to stock my tank heavily with corals, just a couple that i can maintain a healthy healthy tank for fish and coral......plus, I'm a less is more kind of person.

DON'T I NEED to maintain essential elements???

I am adding: (dosing for a 50gal lightly stocked coral tank)

Iodine (daily drops instead of the once a mo. method) ,
Iron ( " " " ")
Strontium & Molybdenum (Every 4 days " )
Tech M- Magnesium ( Every 7 days " " )
Cacium once a month ..... and testing.

From the books and mags to my lfs - the suggestion is to add these trace elements.....now, my tanks is not as elaborate in set up or in stocking as many...so, i am still am inquiring for experience on this issue.

Decided to wait on the colt until the bloom dies.


I can weigh both sides and decide what direction is best for my tank. Plus, the consequeces of my actions will be evedent and I will have the tools to notice what and why.

 

[Navarre]

Stop dosing


I got away with a 40 gallon tank and no additions other than a weekly dose of Iodine. My rule is that you should not dose for anything that you cannot test for.

With lightly stocked tanks and soft corals especially you will find that Iodine is your best friend on the additions front. Iron, strontium etc is not needed at all. i dont even dose for that myself and i have quite a few sps corals in my tank.


My advise is to simply dose with iodine and your regular water changes will do the rest. Once you start downthe road of dosing the water when there is no need, thts when you find the balance gets upset and you are constantly fighting a battle to keep levles balanced in the tank.

 

[KimPossible]

Thanks Nav,
I was feeling this might be what i was going to find out on the forum, hence my consistant posting. What about the calcium, i do test this.

My bloom should go down as soon as the trace elements are depleted, then i'll add the colt........ anyways the anticipation is almost as good as the real thing

What is a Mag Float

 

[jflowers]

What is a Mag Float

Mag floats are great, if a little expensive. Two magnets one on the inside and one on the outside of your tank, the inner one scrapes off algae from the walls as you move the outside magnet around. The inside magnet floats if the two become unstuck.

I have just started dosing with calcium as my reading was slightly low (360ppm) so would be interested to know aswell if its needed.

Jon

 

[leon]

What is a Mag Float

A mag float is just a glass cleaner, having two halves one on the inside with a scourer material to clean, and another on the outside with the magnet in, use the magnetic force two hold the two together throug the glass, and if you go too fast or its comes away, then it floats, so you dont have to get your handies wet!, very simple, but ingenious!, you'll deffo need one, aswell as a good scraper!. simple, but essential tools!.
Leon

 

[KimPossible]

thanks guys!

 

[Navarre]

I would not dose with calcium Kim (unless your tests results are low)
soft corals are not as demanding on calcium as hard corals. Again, regualr water changes should keep calcium high. If your results show that its low then simply add calcium then.

Overdosing with calium could play havock with Ph and KH, once your KH drops then you are juggling all sorts of additives to keep everything in balance.

 

[Great Lakes]

To further explain dosing and additives Kim, look at it this way.
We struggle for rock steady readings on our testing regimen.

All of our tanks will differ due to our care and water and types of salt and livestock and rock and skimming and macro and micro algaes along with lighting and circulation.

You need to test a lot at the beginning to find out where your tank readings like to be.
For example. Yur calcium reads 380 in week 1 after a water change. This is on the bare minimum side, but allowable. Week 2 it tests 380, and the same with week 3 and 4 before a monthly water change. Obviously, it is stable, and it is not being used at any great rate due to the type of inhabitants you have. Therefore, dosing is not really needed and a waste of time and money. The same holds true for the other key water parameters.
My ph runs a solid 8.0, and my hardness is usually around 10KH. With a calcium reading of 600+!!! Now, my properties are not dead center of perfection, but I have had great success once I have learned what types of corals prefer my tanks environment. And it is less stressful for both me and my tankmates if I leave things be.

An analagy for you. Your tank parameters are like your bodyweight. Say you are 5lbs overweight. Yet you are happy and heathy and go through your life in a care free manner. Why would you want to stress over a fractional problem to try and bring it in line? Just do your monthly colonics(water changes) to keep your toxin levels down, and be happy...

GL

 

[ostrow]

Mag floats are not expensive. Now Algae Free, them magnets are expensive. And the difference is noticable. To me, worth the expense. But one way or another, get a magnet cleaner for your glass.

On the testing, what GL said...

 

[KimPossible]

Thanks! I think i'm starting to get the hang of this stuff (at least it's starting to make sense) There's a lot to learn.

my algea bloom seems to have stablalized, maybe even retreating. The dosings are out except Iodine and I've reduced my lights.

 

[leon]

It would be really beneficial to do a diary of every thing, water tests, water changes, different lighting times newbulbs, stocking, new additions, anything missing ect ect...., THEN, if things do go wrong, you can look back and see why maybe. (Hmm i should follow my own advice! ) )
leon

 

[KimPossible]

Got that goin' on. The very first thing i started with. Good advice.