Bluemoon Posted June 9, 2014 Share Posted June 9, 2014 I think Victoly summed it up best... yes, all of the above. I never really thought about it in my last tank because I didn't have a lot of fish. I just did my best to keep them fed and to keep my phosphates below 0.05 ppm with GFO. The same husbandry methods were intact in the new system, feed generously, have an overrated skimmer (rated 250g on a 125g on my last tank... have a 500g rated on my 215g tank currently), GFO, carbon, and biopellets (before I was vodka dosing). I honestly wasn't even running a fuge or had macro in the old tank. I didn't even have a nitrate test kit... but with biopellets, I lucked out and never needed it. So long story short, I have a bigger tank and a larger fish bioload. The only reason I'm even worrying about nitrates right now is because I feed even more than before and my biopellets had been offline and are currently still ramping up to full capacity. Once things hit a stride, I highly doubt I'll even test for nitrates anymore, unless something just doesn't look right in the tank. I will still test for phosphate, because I need to know when to replace the GFO media. The hope is balance out the system so that the biopellets might be able to take care of my phosphate as well but for now.. I am doubting that from what I've seen so far. Maybe if I fed less it would be possible. So to get back to your question Kim. There are several reasons why I believe I have been able to avoid an algae farm with all the overly generous feedings I do and the fish population I have. I will list them in order of importance to me at least: 1) Giant, overrated skimmer - I know there are systems out there that are skimmerless, sumpless, and whatever else. I just prefer to help mother nature out a bit and swing it more in my favor. It also helps oxygenate the water which my tangs do appreciate and allows me to overfeed with less repercussions. 2) Biopellets (carbon source) - nitrification (ammonia/nitrite converting to nitrate) happens pretty readily in a tank once it's cycled, the bigger problem after that is denitrification (nitrate to nitrogen gas). Your main sources of denitrification are anoxic (low oxygen) zones. These could be deep sand beds and the inner core of live rock as oxygen doesn't readily permeate into these areas as well, allowing for an anoxic environment conducive for denitrification. The problem for most systems is that there aren't much of these areas in the tank, so you end up with quick conversion of ammonia/nitrite to nitrate, but not as many areas for denitrification so you end up with excess nitrates. Queue the algae/cyano to uptake the residual nitrate in a system. Biopellets allow bacteria to uptake the nitrate. Bacteria will consume a lot of nitrate, a little phosphate, and some carbon as it multiplies. What our reef systems are most limited on out of the 3 is usually carbon. We have sources of phosphate (food, top off water, etc) and we have sources of nitrates (decaying organic matter adding to ammonia levels --->nitrite levels ---> nitrates), but we are limited on carbon. Well, enter biopellets (other carbon sources include vodka, sugar, and vinegar) as a source of carbon and the bacteria now have all they need to multiply rapidly and use up nitrates (most), carbon, and some phosphates. The bacteria are in turn are ingested by corals, sponges, or pulled out via foam fractionation (i.e. skimmers). Either way, nitrate is readily removed in my system via biopellets and will not add to an algal problem. 3) Tangs/rabbitfish - they eat everything! They are constantly combing the rocks. Contrary to belief, mine won't touch GHA with a 5' pole though... though oddly they will happily munch on chaeto and bryopsis. This helps swing the tide in favor of bacteria uptaking the nitrates, and not the algae. It's hard for the algae to win when fish keep eating any of your growth. Oddly enough, they all munch on that slimey/goey mess that could either be cyano or dinos growing on the sand so they are preventing that growth for me as well. 4) Healthy, good-sized, cycled rock - it performs quite well for nitrification and aids in denitrification as well. My thought is the bigger/deeper the rock is, the more anoxic areas in the rock to aid in denitrification. 5) A sandbed - not wanting to start a controversy here but I generally run a 3-4" sandbed. I feel it aids in denitrification with the anoxic zones as well as gives my critters a place to hide and procreate in the main display. I never vacuum it and generally never try to disturb it. My last one was running strong on 4 years. Maybe I never hit that so called saturation point that leads to failure, who knows, but it works for me and I will continue to use it. I must mention the natural detrivores and my sea cucumbers probably do a good job of turning it over and cleaning it for me. 6) GFO - helps keep my phosphate levels under my control with the additional feedings. For SPS, I feel like phosphate is the most important parameter to monitor besides alk. This is assuming all your other parameters are within appropriate levels and stable. 7) Healthy population of natural sponges and detrivores - pods, mini-brittle stars, spaghetti worms, vermitiid snails, chitons, limpets, etc. I find the best use for my macro is a place for the pods to breed. It may help increase the pH a bit by uptaking CO2 coming out of my CaRX or uptaking some nitrates and phosphates, but the main advantage I see is a giant, natural, pod hotel. I feel like a pod slum lord sometimes...I even on the occasion feed the pods in the macro with pellets. The sponges grow quite readily in my tank on every underside of rock or in the sump. They feast on all the bits of food, fish excrement, and bacteria being released from the biopellets. The most important thing though that I am skirting around is balance and stability. As with any start of a tank, you'll go through the phases of the cycle and the after-effects. You'll get your diatoms, your cyano, your GHA, and maybe the dreaded dinos (peroxide is your friend) if you haven't been keeping up with your karma. Just kidding. But that's natural and will come and go as your system stabilizes. The biggest thing is to not overreact, make sure your methods of exporting are in place (nitrates, phosphates), and to let it slowly work itself out of the system. Monitor your nitrates, monitor your phosphates, see how impactful your changes are... stem the tide when one starts creeping up more than it should. The way I look at it, you have to give your tank time to find its balance. If you feed heavily, then start with smaller amounts first and work your way up to that point. It allows for your system to match it. Perhaps denitrification increases in your system, or your detrivores start reproducing more with the additional nutrients, or more sponges grow... etc. You see algae, pull it, run a shorter photo period, increase your export of nitrates or phosphates, feed less... etc. Once you see yourself winning, increase the photo period slowly, start feeding more again, see how much you can take back before it becomes a nuisance again. Then trim it back and let the system adjust. It's a dance at the beginning but once you hit a stride, you won't have to worry about it anymore. You just have to build your system up to it in increments. That's all my thoughts are on it for now but hopefully that helps illuminate my approach to reefkeeping. sticky worthy. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted June 9, 2014 Share Posted June 9, 2014 I would agree but Ty's ego is already big enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Planeden Posted June 9, 2014 Share Posted June 9, 2014 you could repackage axe body spray into reef spanish fly bottles for an additional payment of $19.99 plus shipping and handling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted June 9, 2014 Author Share Posted June 9, 2014 I would agree but Ty's ego is already big enough. Help! I need an adult! I've been Mod-attacked! Didn't I already pay you off in Ty fungia-bucks to always sing my praises? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 You did in fact. Which is why I won't sticky that answer; might look like I'm biased. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bpb Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 That's some classic cronyism! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manny Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 I would agree but Ty's ego is already big enough.Big ego. . . big tank. I want to meet this guy.Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 He ain't very big though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manny Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 He ain't very big though.Must be why he buys big stuff. Dont small dudes usually buy super big trucks? Ty you have a big truck?Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 He's got a 4x4 dualie Kenworth. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share Posted June 10, 2014 My username is JeeperTy! Put two and two together Manny! Little guy, big Jeep! I actually drive a Rav4 these days but then the joke wouldn't be as funny. Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manny Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 My username is JeeperTy! Put two and two together Manny! Little guy, big Jeep! I actually drive a Rav4 these days but then the joke wouldn't be as funny. Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk Well I remembered a post you made a while back saying that you were going to change your name from jeeperTy to farmer Ty because you had sold your jeep over a year ago. That's why I didn't bring up the jeep. Yep! This dude here has photographic memory.Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluemoon Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 bruce lee was once seen driving a rav4... coincidence? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share Posted June 10, 2014 Funny you mention... check out my new tat! What kind of tank do you have? I have a salt "WAAAA TAHHH" tank! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheOceanTraveler Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 Now that was funny! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manny Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 Funny you mention... check out my new tat! What kind of tank do you have? I have a salt "WAAAA TAHHH" tank! I don't know about funny but that was way too cheesy.Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonzo59 Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 That picture is priceless. Is it pathetic that I want that exact tat now? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share Posted June 10, 2014 Maybe you can do the kicking leg version of that? Haha. Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonzo59 Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 ... And the joke wasn't half bad either Ty. Definitely got a hearty chuckle out of me! Don't let the Manny get you down! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonzo59 Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 Maybe you can do the kicking leg version of that? Haha. Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk I don't want to think about where Bruce Lee's body would have to go... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share Posted June 10, 2014 Yikes! Hadn't really thought that through! Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share Posted June 10, 2014 Just some pics I took tonight for fun. Zoa Row Always love that side view Naturally I took the most scenic angle possible, even though the rest of the tank doesn't look like this By far and away my two favorite zoas right now 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share Posted June 10, 2014 Whatcha lookin' at? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Planeden Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 "Quick! Add pictures to distract from Bruce Lee swimming up my leg!" Tank looks great, btw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluemoon Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 ...well i was about to post tank pictures...nevermind. haha looking great! have to pick my chin up after looking at zoo row. looks like the nitrates were good to them! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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