CaptainK Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 So I have a 57g sps tank with a squamosa clam thats about a foot long, no exaggeration. Its more than doubled in size in a couple years. I have been struggling with stn from the base up for the past month. I thought it was cyano related but thats all gone now. It seems to be from Alk swings but I'm not positive. No sign of parasites. The only sps not affected are the Birdsnests and Pocilloporas. I'm dosing with Seachem Calcium and Kent Marine Buffer. I recently started using Kent Marine Kalkwasser in auto top off reservoir. Could a clam this size in tank this size cause that many problems? I haven't seen too many medium sized tanks with large clams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 Captain, I guess the pertinent question is have you been tracking your alk values and if so, what have they been at? How much does it fluctuate? What test kit are you using? If you haven't been testing the alk, then I highly recommend doing so. I'd be hesitant to keep SPS without tracking at least your alk values. STN from the bottom up could be a number of issues but is often related to low alk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainK Posted February 19, 2015 Author Share Posted February 19, 2015 I been testing pretty regularly. I use Salifert for Alk and API for Calc. Alk seems to stay around 7.3 - 7.7. I dose 2 tablespoons of buffer every other day. I have gotten it up to between 9-10 but the next day it will be back down to around 7. Calcium has been around 400 but I'm slowing trying to get it higher. I alternate days between calc and alk dosing. Here's a pic from today. Lights just came on, so clam was is not fully open yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 With the clam and the amount of SPS you have in that smaller volume of water, I can easily see how you could lose 2 dKh per day in that system. I'd really look into 2-part dosing via peristaltic pumps or possibly even a CARX to keep up with the demand. Hand dosing with that type of usage rate is never going to be stable enough for the SPS and I believe they are already telling you that, by the STN. I say either get the dosers, a CARX, or ditch the clam. I'm assuming again that there are no external factors that could be causing the STN and that all other parameters are in line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 I forgot two more options, 1) upgrade (woohoo) or 2) give your clam to me (Woohoo again!) [emoji14] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 If possible, I'd superglue the bottom edges of the SPS that are STN'ing. It may help to slow down or halt the loss of tissue but the main issue of fluctuating alk values will need to be remedied to make it entirely stop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainK Posted February 19, 2015 Author Share Posted February 19, 2015 Its a very slow stn. I have been nipping then glueing. Can't upgrade at the moment so I may sell the clam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 Judging by the attainable max size of 16", I'd say probably not a bad idea if you don't intend to upgrade anytime soon. At least it'll alleviate some of your alk demands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoly Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 I'd recommend switching to some form of automated dosing. You can do either CaRx or peristaltics. For your tank size peristaltics probably make more sense, especially if you don't have a controller (apex) setup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nutz4Fish Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 I will buy the Clam if you sell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard L Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 +1 on the getting your dosing automated. I can't imaging most sps putting up with a daily swing of 2 or 3 dKh in a day. Looks like you have a nice coral collection by the way! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sascha D. Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 +1 on that being a pretty heavy swing. I keep my Alk around 150ppm or about 8.4-8.5. I have noticed reactions with a 1 dKh swing, let alone 2 to 3 dKh. Automating doesn't have to be expensive. A light timer set to go off 2-3 times a day should be enough. You could also try a gravity fed method, but make sure you use a glass bottle instead of plastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckyuv Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 I vote for auto dosing as well. You can buy Dosers with built in timers online and they won't cost near as much as all your coral bleaching! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gig 'em @ NDstructible Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 Nice tank! I say get some dosers or a small calcium reactor. Don't get a large calcium reactor, I bought one used on the forums because I know I'll eventually upgrade to a larger tank that will fit the calcium reactor and I'm having trouble controlling the alk swings with a larger calcium reactor that either dumps a ton or nothing at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainK Posted February 20, 2015 Author Share Posted February 20, 2015 Thanks for the input and compliments everyone. I haven't looked into dosers that much, any recommendations? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 Thanks for the input and compliments everyone. I haven't looked into dosers that much, any recommendations?I know a lot of people have used the BRS dosers with success. I know Jaebo released a cheap dosing unit but you might want to research more on its build quality and how well its been holding up for people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoly Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 Do you have an apex ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainK Posted February 20, 2015 Author Share Posted February 20, 2015 I do not have an apex. Is it as important to have a doser for calcium or can you get by with one just for alk? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoly Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 If you dont have an apex, I'd recommend the Bubble Magus BM-T01. It's got dosing computers built in which will help you get your dosing volumes set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+SChrisEV Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 UHM... but if you are going to buy that, buy the Apex, and a couple BRS dosers, yes it is a little more, but you get WAY more bang for you buck! I even have an extra BRS doser I can sell ya on the cheap! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 If you dose ALK, you will need to dose CA equally usually. A CARX does this automatically. You will need separate dosers for ALk and CA Solutions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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