Heres goes, let the fun begin!!! [Archive]

View Full Version : Heres goes, let the fun begin!!!

craig51

28-02-07, 21:47

Hi all,

Some history. I have a RIO 180 after being inspired partly by our very own Maestro. I have had it since November 01st 2006, and all is almost well. I have 20kg of LR, MCE600 Skimmer, 1-2cm sand bed, 2 clowns, 1 coral beauty and the usual CUC. All is well bar the Nirtrates. I have NEVER had it at 0. They always hover between 5-15. I do 10% water changed weekly, and I have also noticed that my brown algae is now turning green!!!! My phosphate level is also at 0.03 on a salifert kit.

This has been getting me down, not only the levels, but the algae. Nothing worse than coming home and seeing it. Its not too bad, but still annoying. I defo dont overfeed, one feed a day of new era flakes and 1/3 cube of defrosted in ro water krill 3 times a week.

So after reading about the probio range, I have ordered Biodigest, bioptim and reef booster. I will get this tomorrow and I intend on keeping a log on this post progress, just to let you other guys/gals see what effects this has.

One question, should i turn my skimmer off and if so, for how long. I plan on doing my normal water chnage tomorrow, scrape the glass etc etc, and then dump in one amp of biodigest and bioptim every two weeks, then after a month, start on the reef booster. Is this the best way?

Cheers

trythechi

01-03-07, 08:02

Hi Craig

You can trun the skimmer off for an hour after dosing to allow the bacs to settle on/in the LR/sand. Best to mix digest and tpim together in a glass of tank water - then add.

I would start adding Booster once your rocks are nice and clean, and when we can see the stocking density, that will give an idea about whether to hold back on some of the vial of Booster (This can be stired in the fridge from week to week) Please do post before / after pics for our enjoyment:)

Is your RO/DI water very very low in TDS? HAve you been able to confirm that the salt has no no3/po4?

HTH

Simon

craig51

01-03-07, 12:05

"Is your RO/DI water very very low in TDS? HAve you been able to confirm that the salt has no no3/po4"

My TDS is 0 :-), and I have tested freshly mixed RO/DI water and it is 0 too. I have also run a reference test on my seachem kit to ensure its working fine, and all seems well.

First batch goes in tonight, so I will post sme pics before I do.I am going to do my weeky water change first/skimmer clean etc, before i add the good boys :-)

craig51

01-03-07, 18:53

Well, as promised, here are the before pics. You can see the brown crap ontop of the rocks, the green algae on the glass and brown on the sand. All this algae used to be just brown stuff before i got new lights (went from T8's to T5's Guiesmans with reflectors) and I think this has cuased it to turn green!!!

http://www.dowphotography.smugmug.com/photos/132959928-M.jpg

http://www.dowphotography.smugmug.com/photos/132959944-M.jpg

http://www.dowphotography.smugmug.com/photos/132959981-M.jpg

trythechi

01-03-07, 20:02

Thanks Craig

I guess you'l be happy in 6 weeks from now. Thats a very light load you have, so suggest go easy on the Booster but only using a 4 amp each week when the time comes.

Cheers

Simon

craig51

01-03-07, 20:09

As per your advice, I hav'nt added the reef booster yet. I was going to wait 4 weeks before i did. Does this still stand or should i put it in now. 30mins ago i added 1amp digest and 1 amp of tpim. I plan to turn the skimmer on in 30mins.

trythechi

01-03-07, 23:41

craig51

03-03-07, 12:24

I have tears in my eyes right now as I am SO happy.

Just ran my first test since adding the bacs, and here are the results.

Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Phosphate =so faint its almost 0

I have NEVER had a nitrate reading this LOW. The lowest i have been to was 5, but this was after doing a 60% water change. I even got my girlfriend to comfirm for me in case i was seeing things.This was measured with a seachem kit.
The phosphates i did with a salifert kit. Ran the first normal sensitivity test, and it was clear. So ran the more senstive test, and in some lights it was clear, and in others there was the tiniest tint of blue, but this might just be a reflection from the blues on the card, as when i held it up at the window it looked clear

So to say i am a happy chap would be an understatement right now!!. Just waiting now for the algae to die :-)

craig51

05-03-07, 21:49

Hi all, my Nitrates are now down at 1 as above, so when can I expect the algae to die off??? or start to?

Also, why is the dosage every 2 weeks, and not every week? Can you overdose?

trythechi

05-03-07, 23:36

Hi Craig

Great stuff isnt it:)

Like I said - 6 weeks would be my guess on your tank.

Cheers

Simon