djkms' 225 SPS Dominant build thread
- Thread starter djkms
- Start date
Well today my tanks 1st birthday! I hope to get a video and pics up soon.
On another note, I have been having troubles with SPS colors pretty much ever since I set up this 225. I always wondered why, parameters were pretty much always spot on and I religiously did my maintenance. So trying to figure things out i picked up a bottle of Fauna Marin Multi reference solution. Here are my results:
Reference vs Salifert
dKH 6.7>6.7
CA 422>410
MG 1314>1290
NO3 10>4.5
Reference vs Hanna Checker
dKH 6.7>6.88
PO4 .2>.018
Needless to say, I think I found my problem(s). First off Salifert NO3 is giving a lower reading than the reference. Even worse, my Hanna Checker is WAY off. Who knows what my PO4 level is? Hopefully its just the batch of packets I used and not the checker itself. I ordered another 25 packets and the Hanna reference solution which should be here Wednesday. I am also going to borrow another checker/packets to see if there is any difference there as well.
This is actually pretty good news because it explains why I have been struggling so hard for SPS color. Here I thought my macros were taking up most my PO4, I have only been changing out my GFO every 6-8 weeks in my heavily stocked tank.
On another note, I have been having troubles with SPS colors pretty much ever since I set up this 225. I always wondered why, parameters were pretty much always spot on and I religiously did my maintenance. So trying to figure things out i picked up a bottle of Fauna Marin Multi reference solution. Here are my results:
Reference vs Salifert
dKH 6.7>6.7
CA 422>410
MG 1314>1290
NO3 10>4.5
Reference vs Hanna Checker
dKH 6.7>6.88
PO4 .2>.018
Needless to say, I think I found my problem(s). First off Salifert NO3 is giving a lower reading than the reference. Even worse, my Hanna Checker is WAY off. Who knows what my PO4 level is? Hopefully its just the batch of packets I used and not the checker itself. I ordered another 25 packets and the Hanna reference solution which should be here Wednesday. I am also going to borrow another checker/packets to see if there is any difference there as well.
This is actually pretty good news because it explains why I have been struggling so hard for SPS color. Here I thought my macros were taking up most my PO4, I have only been changing out my GFO every 6-8 weeks in my heavily stocked tank.
Well its been a while since I updated this thread so here it goes.
For starters I had to take the Moorish Idol out. Just like my last one it decided to turn my reef into a buffet after being pretty good for a year.
I also removed all my caulerpa from the system, figured this was one of the reasons I struggled with SPS coloring.
I also started dosing Iodine per a recommendation from another reefer, going to see if I see any changes. I am also in the process of bringing my potassium up. I havent tested it in a year and it has dropped 30 points. Previously it read 400, now it reads 370. About another week and it should be back up to 400. Needless to say, a reduction in potassium leads me to believe the corals are using it and from my research it really helps with blues and purples.
I also cataloged and took photos of all my inhibits. Here is a recent FTS and some random pictures:
For starters I had to take the Moorish Idol out. Just like my last one it decided to turn my reef into a buffet after being pretty good for a year.
I also removed all my caulerpa from the system, figured this was one of the reasons I struggled with SPS coloring.
I also started dosing Iodine per a recommendation from another reefer, going to see if I see any changes. I am also in the process of bringing my potassium up. I havent tested it in a year and it has dropped 30 points. Previously it read 400, now it reads 370. About another week and it should be back up to 400. Needless to say, a reduction in potassium leads me to believe the corals are using it and from my research it really helps with blues and purples.
I also cataloged and took photos of all my inhibits. Here is a recent FTS and some random pictures:
