new 55 gallon reef build

[rob_mango]

I understand what you are saying and I was starting to agree with you. But I just tested my water and the phosphates were at .05 and nitrates were down to zero ( but I have read at first you can get wrong readings ) so I will test again and see if changes later tonight before I go to work

 

[rob_mango]

Tested my water again and everything seems to still be getting better but it's only been 2 weeks I will give it more time and hope all will get better

 

[Bschowa]

how are your corals? did any of them that died start showing signs of life?

 

[rob_mango]

No they r gone I am really bummed about that but I also think it is my lights as well.... They r 150 watt hqi and they sit about 4 inches off the water so I am looking to get a hanging kit for them

 

[mr_X]

150 watters isn't much over a 55.

 

[rob_mango]

That is one of the things I think might be the issue
2 150watt hqi
2 130 watt attinics

That is the only other thing I can think of with them only being 4 inches off the top of the water. Tested again today and water seems to be right on mark so idk

 

[mr_X]

if you had insufficient lighting your sps would be turning brown, not white.

 

[rob_mango]

Right I think it is to much.... That's y I want to raise it up off the water so it's not as close to the surface and I hope it will help stop with the bleaching of my sps

 

[mr_X]

No way. You definitely don't have too much lighting for a 55 gallon tank. You can't just toss acropora in a new tank and expect it to grow like a weed. i know a guy that has 400 watters over 12" of water and his sps is beautiful. I had 8 x 54 watt t5s over 15" of water, with the sps almost 1" from the surface.

 

[rob_mango]

Ok from your experience what do you recommend to get acro and other sps to do well I am at a loss

 

[Gregcoyote]

It's like a magic trick, if he told you, you would go "oh, is that all it is?" But seriously, I am interested in the answer because I have been able to keep, then kill Acros for years. In my case I think it is an unhealthy attraction to soft corals that keeps my Acros from growing really well.

 

[rob_mango]

That is the issue I have with frogspawns and torch coral and hammer corals and I love all 3 of them but I can't keep them

 

[mr_X]

Acropora are the most delicate sps. I would suggest starting with montipora.
When you succeed with that, then try acros.
It's just a matter of consistency really. keeping your parameters stable and the water clean is my best advice. When everything looks great, I do a water change. When something looks funny, I do a water change. I don't ever skip.
I also over filter. An oversized skimmer and a large refugium would be in place. Actually, the skimmer I use now is too small for my liking, but I just can't afford to go larger right now. I believe i have a small bio load though.
On my old systems I would also not dose or add a single thing. I replaced all elements with water changes.
It worked very well for me.

 

[Starchar]

Sorry, I posted on another thread and it appeared here! Can't delete or edit to nothing.

 

[rob_mango]

I have a 30 gallon refuge and asm g3 skimmer with a 20 gallon sump and 2 filter socks

 

[CloudStrife]

I like it so far! Following!

 

[rob_mango]

Thanks I like it as well but starting to get frustrated with corals not living

 

[rob_mango]

Mr. X you said to start with monti what r some easy ones to sart with I had a monti cap and it did the same thing so I am at a loss

 

[mr_X]

What is your normal maintenance routine?
What do you add?
When do you add it?

 

[rob_mango]

I do weekly water changes @ 5%
I dose b-ionic everyday as soon as the lights come on
And I feed phytoplex every 3 days