Installed my new Tunze 9001 skimmer in tank to start the break in before the sump arrives. The small size of the Tunze allows it to fit in the display tank easily and actually looks fairly unobtrusive. Super happy with this thing after only 5 days. It actually started skimming dirty water within several hours of installation. It does produce some bubbles in the tank, especially during max lighting hours, but they have already begun to diminish and should be a non issue in the sump.
I've removed the Purigen for the time being, since it was nearing replacement time, and I'm thinking the extra organics may help the skimmer break in sooner
I've decided to add a sump to the tank to increase system stability. I'll be drilling the tank and adding a glass holes overflow. In preparation I've gone ahead and painted the back of the tank black to hide the plumbing. I wasn't sure if I would like the black background, but I ended up liking it. It does bring out some of the coral a bit more, such as the Pocillopora, though the tank does look a littler darker in the evenings.
Since the tank was full, I used Benjamin Moore Natura paint, which is a 0 VOC paint. The paint is fabulous!!! There was no smell at all (even sticking your face in the bucket), no splatter, coverage was great, and it dried quick. I was able to wait only 20 minutes between coats. Super happy with the results.
First entry in a while after a small crash. I lost my maxima clam due to what I believe was inadequate light. Although I pulled the clam the morning I found it gaping heavily, it seems to have fouled the water quickly in such a small tank. Tests never indicated any ammonia, no2/no3, or po4 spikes, but I did notice a bad fish smell from the tank.
Shortly after my acros, monti cap and birdsnest started browning. Most of the SPS eventually succumbed to RTN. Torch and hammer also receded during this time frame, and the Acan and Candycane started to look sickly and translucent. About 1-2 weeks after losing the clam, my female clownfish jumped out of the tank. Not sure if that was related or just a coincidence, but my instinct was that the clam must have released some nasty stuff on it's way out the door.
After numerous water changes, lots of activated carbon and GFO, all LPS have bounced back. Strangly, my Montipora digitata during all of this has grown significantly and looks fabulous, and my RBTA seemed unfazed.
Corals are now doing well at about 60% blues, and 30% whites.
I've reduced the lighting intensity further since I'm seeing some paling of corals. The pocillopora specifically looks a lot paler on the side directly under the LEDs, and the acro has lost some color and is looking burnt.
I called AI and asked them about recommendations for a shallow reef tank (only 7 inches tall) with the Hydra 26. They suggested closer to 40% for intensity. The PAR numbers listed on their site are what would be measured 24 inches underneath the water. So my SPS have probably been getting closer to the 600+ PAR range rather than 300.
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March 24, 2015 09:46
The maxima clam has looked stressed each morning, and his mantle was looking a crinkled up. Being more certain that I was seeing pinched mantle disease, I went ahead and dipped him today. 30 mintues in RO/DI water with pH buffer and up to tank temp. He stayed closed all dip, but opened back up within 30 minutes of being back in the tank and looks no worse for wear.
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March 22, 2015 14:12
I wasn't sure if my maxima clam was looking stressed or not. His siphon was open more than usual last night. Alk had also risen quickly since the doser is working consistently, so I reduced 2 part dosing levels. I also removed the GFO, and changed out the Carbon as well. This morning he looked back to normal, but I'll be keeping a close eye on him.
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March 19, 2015 12:09
This evening I brought home a small monti frag, and a beautiful rainbow bubble tip anemone. The bubble tip grabbed onto the rock work and has himself in a little crevice right in the front. He looks hunkered down but happy at the moment. Can't wait to see him in the day light!
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March 14, 2015 23:41
Installed new glass Lily Pipes! Looking much nicer than the black Fluval stuff.
The tubing is a quite stiff, and i've had to use some tape to keep the tubing from pulling on the pipes. I'm going to order some silicon tubing and see if that works better.
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March 11, 2015 15:11
I think the color changes may have actually been from ramping the white LEDs too quickly. I'm also seeing color changes in some other corals, and things are starting to look a little burned. My acans, for instance seem like they've shrunk a bit.
I've reduced the whites to 20%, and have set them to ramp up slowly over the next 6 months.
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March 10, 2015 19:19
Welcome Fizbo and Gurgle! (2 new clownfish named by my son). Acclimation took about 2 hours to bring the salinity up from the LFS water to mine. Acclimated them in a bucket with a small pump and heater, and they did great.
Also got a new torch coral because I always wanted one, and to give the clownfish a host if they like it.