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 Posted 11/12/2006 9:25:57 AM |
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Group: Moderators
Last Login: 5/17/2008 6:59:58 AM
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| fabulous update Robert... very good to see the progress indeed. As for overflow pics... I have not removed my canopy (its a doozy - required disconnecting wiring) to take an illustrative pic for you. My apologies... but the application is so staggeringly common now that I would have thought you foudn pics already on the web. Search for "calfo overflow" on RC, etc and you'll see tons of hits... some internal, some corner, some external, etc 24/7 illumination is only approriate for Caulerpa species... all other popular marine algae need a rest period (lights off - respiration) One algae species per small refugium for optimal success and reduced exudations of compounds by the competing algae that harm stony corals, etc
. Anthony Calfo
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| Posted 11/12/2006 12:31:56 PM |
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 7/1/2008 2:35:50 PM
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OK Anthony, I'll search again. No need for you to dismantle your wiring. I have read a lot of things about them online, and seen a lot of pictures of internal and external horizontal overflows, but not corner ones. I'll look again, though.
Thanks again,
Robert
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| Posted 4/18/2007 10:47:21 PM |
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 7/1/2008 2:35:50 PM
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Hi Anthony,
Well, I have done everything you recommended but I am sorry to say that the green hair algae has come back. There are big clumps of it on several rocks and on one of my favorite corals, and it is getting worse by the week. 
Here are some of the things I’ve changed since I hijacked this thread last July:
- removed the DSB from the display and replaced it with thin layer for decoration
- added RDSB where refugium used to be
- removed some rocks and rearranged the rest to improve flow through and around them
- Added two Tunze nanostream 6045s to create 40x turnover
- built a new sump w/ skimmer pump in first compartment
- retrofitted a horizontal overflow onto my vertical corner overflow
- gave the skimmer a vinegar bath (it works better now)
- religiously perform a 15% water change weekly
There are currently 3 fish in the tank, fed every other day (no pack juice!), and about 20 LPS and SPS corals.
One thing I have not mentioned before is that I have been unable to control the pH no matter what I try. I actually thought it was too high several months ago until I realized I had a bad electrode. I bought a high quality monitor and electrode and the pH is chronically low. I am currently adding 70 ml/day of Randy’s 2-part recipe and use limewater for topoff. Alkalinity is about 2.9 meq/L, calcium 425, pH 7.9-8.1. I tried pushing the alk closer to 4 with higher doses of 2-part but the calcium level got too high and the pH didn’t change much. If I add a bunch of carbonate all at once to correct the alkalinity then the pH goes up for a few hours but then starts to drop again. I tried the aeration test using outside air several times and did not see any significant difference in the pH of outdoor-aerated water vs. tank water.
I can only think of a few more things to do but thought I’d run them past you before I proceed:
1) Replace the live rocks. The rocks I have are 8 years old and are almost completely encrusted with coralline algae. I think I remember you saying somewhere that burned out LR can drive down the pH.
2) Replace the RDSB with a new refugium (primarily for vegetable filtration). This should pull some CO2 out of the water and hopefully raise the pH some. Unfortunately I do not have room for both a refugium and RDSB.
3) Install a new DSB in the display in lieu of the RDSB and to increase buffering capacity. I think I am ready to give this another shot since my water circulation and husbandry have both improved a lot in the last year (and I think that after 10 years in the hobby I am no longer a total newbie!). I have room for a 3-4” oolitic bed.
Also, I’m not sure if the type of lighting I use contributes to the algae problem. I have 4 x 110w VHO bulbs over the tank, currently using 2 daylight and 2 50/50 bulbs. I change the bulbs twice a year but could replace one or both of the daylights with actinics if a spectrum shift might help.
I know you’re busy these days, but please feel free to advise and critique my thoughts as you are able.
Thanks,
Robert
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