Luigi's 10 Gallon of Fun

[Luigi Reefs]

It has been several weeks since I’ve implemented the changes to the tank as indicated in my previous post, and thought this would be a good time for an update.

As you can see in the pictures below algae is still persistent. My water parameters have had a Nitrate of 25 and phosphate of .25, which are both still consistently high. It is obvious that the changes that I have made are not creating the desired effect.

As I mentioned in my last post there were three areas of effect that I was attempting to manipulate. Nutrient Import, Nutrient Export and Energy Consumption. Based off my water parameters, and the high levels of Nitrate and Phosphate the culprit could be either Nutrient Import or Nutrient Export.

Nutrient Import: I have been meticulous about feeding the tank. I feed only once per day, and a pinch of either flake/pellet food, or 1/5 a cube of mysis or brine shrimp. I do not believe I can go any lower than this without endangering the lives of my fish, I will leave this as is.

Nutrient Export: It is obvious that I am not removing the nutrients from the water column fast enough. I have been performing small, daily water changes, for the better part of a month and it is obvious that it is not working. After thinking about it for a little bit, I came to the realization that my thinking about WC’s were wrong. For nano tanks, where water quality can swing rapidly, more frequent and LARGER water changes are needed to ensure consistent water parameters. So, I am going to continue to perform small 3 cup water changes per day, but will perform 2x 10% WC per week.

I will try this for a month and will report back with my findings.

In the meantime please have a look at the current state of the aquarium.

 

[Tahoe61]

It looks great. I don't see a serious algae issue. Perhaps add more and different members to your clean up crew.
What type of water are you using for water changes?
A simple HOB skimmer would probably assist in dropping the N/P. I know you're trying to keep it simple.

Again tanks looks good, corals look healthy.

 

[Luigi Reefs]

There is something to be said about small victories. As mentioned in my previous post I have upped the water change schedule to twice a week 10% water changes. Also, with the suggestion of my LFS, I added Phosguard to one of the HOB filters. Here are my parameters as of this morning.

Salinity: 33 ppm
Nitrate: 25
Phosphate: .03
Alk: 8.2
Calc: 425

So, we have a minor victory in that the Phosphates have been reduced from 25 to .03. The nitrates are still a tad bit high, however it could be lower than 25 as the color reading was kinda/sorta in between the two readings on the chart. It wasn’t a full 25, but more or a light 25. If that makes sense.

In the tank I am still seeing a bit of a proliferation of hair algae. I pulled a bunch out the other day, however, could not get all of it. I think the plan is to continue this WC strategy, and the addition of Phosgaurd to see if starves out the algae. The Blasto coral I have is looking good and I can start to see new polyps forming.

I am also leaving for a 6-day vacation starting on Wednesday morning. During that time, I will have the lights off. I am hoping that the reduced light will also lead to starving out the algae. We will have to wait and see if that helps.

I will get pics added later when the lights turn on.

 

[Luigi Reefs]

It looks great. I don't see a serious algae issue. Perhaps add more and different members to your clean up crew.
What type of water are you using for water changes?
A simple HOB skimmer would probably assist in dropping the N/P. I know you're trying to keep it simple.

Again tanks looks good, corals look healthy.

Thank you. CUC members do not last very long in my tank. I think some of the bigger hermits pick off the small ones. And I haven't been able to keep a snail alive this entire time.

 

[MDAquatics]

I don't think your levels are horrible. Switching to a freeze dried food over a pellet or frozen could help a little. I think you're looking pretty healthy there for a small tank. Im impressed!

 

[MDAquatics]

Thank you. CUC members do not last very long in my tank. I think some of the bigger hermits pick off the small ones. And I haven't been able to keep a snail alive this entire time.

Hermits have always been vicious killers in my tanks no matter what the feeding regiment is. I've given up and accepted it lol.