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Ash's 400 Gallon Reef

I stopped overfeeding my frozen food and did a 120gallon water change. Hosed the detritus from the rock and siphoned 120gallon strait to the sewer
 

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When i turned on my return pump i decided to time how much it filled 2" of water. I am only getting about 450gallons from my return pump in 1 hour. Thats barely 1.2x turnover. When i calculated head i thought id get 3x but reducinga 2" outlet to 1" is taking away alot. I think this is a big part of the nutrient problem along with rock still leeching phosphates. Also running lights at 25% just resulted in no PO consumption in tank. It maybe beneficial for corals in the future so sticking with patients. But ill have to replumb the return to 1.5" all the way to the tank
 
I have some dreams of very nice cabinetry. Not the basic stuff but kind of like RH style. Ive not seen any cabinetry online for aquariums that i actually liked. I feel this should look high end kitchen with flush inset cabinets with long low profile hinge. I like wirebrushed and light stain.
 

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I havent posted in a while but here goes. Since last year I have gotten my Phosphates under control dosing Lanthaum cloride contiuously into my skimmer. However, I didnt realize but by June 2023 my Nitrates had climbed to 100+ PPM. I started using filter socks, upgraded my return pump to sufficent flow, and added flow in my sump with hopes that it would slowly come down, which it didnt and probably now closure to 200+. I noticed my SPS where growing very slow and knew Patients could not solve the problem. Anyways I now decided to tackle the Nitrate problem. last month I added 80lbs of Caribeas direct sand in my sump and made 2 big water changes (120gallon each). Then 2 weeks ago started dosing Vodka by hand. I started with 5ML per day and now I am dosing 30ML per day. While the Nitrates are still of the charts as per salifert test kits, i know they are going down since the corals are putting out new growth tips.
 
I am going hard no creating a company and following my dreams, from my basement. I want to start selling corals from my house and eventually get into aquarium installations.
I figured a good tool would be Youtube to build some credibility. I am working on some more detailed videos but my first video was just a quick walk through. The video will be of my experiences over the years but for Youtube to work it will have to cater to the entire Aquarium industry - which is why I refused to add coral or reef to the title.

 

ericrodriguez

NJRC Member
I havent posted in a while but here goes. Since last year I have gotten my Phosphates under control dosing Lanthaum cloride contiuously into my skimmer. However, I didnt realize but by June 2023 my Nitrates had climbed to 100+ PPM. I started using filter socks, upgraded my return pump to sufficent flow, and added flow in my sump with hopes that it would slowly come down, which it didnt and probably now closure to 200+. I noticed my SPS were growing very slow and knew Patients could not solve the problem. Anyways I now decided to tackle the Nitrate problem. last month I added 80lbs of Caribeas direct sand in my sump and made 2 big water changes (120gallon each). Then 2 weeks ago started dosing Vodka by hand. I started with 5ML per day and now I am dosing 30ML per day. While the Nitrates are still off the charts as per salifert test kits, i know they are going down since the corals are putting out new growth tips.
What brand of vodka are you using!! I started my self to use vinegar but was told that the combination of both is way more effective!!
 
What brand of vodka are you using!! I started my self to use vinegar but was told that the combination of both is way more effective!!
I used old bottle of absolute and recently purchased the cheapest vodka I could find. Aslong as it 80 proof 40% your good.

MY phosphates bottomed out a few times so I stopped dosing lanthum chloride. I made a 50% waterchange and caused a bacteria bloom so had to dial back the vodka and add a UV. I am a bit surprised it has done a number on my Phosphates. I think my NO3 is still at 150+ppm Even after the big waterchange. Below picture is 1:6 diluted sample with tank water. It's slightly less pink than before but still not enough to say its at 10ppm. Which I was hoping for since that would have my NO3 at under 100ppm.
 

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I added a dosing Pump for vodka. Such a great feeling not having to dose by hand.
 

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Removed the socks since after vodka dosing the socks are clogging fast and not really getting cleaned by hand. This floss last barely 2 days before overflowing so not a good solution long term. Eventually I want to just get a fleece roller but that depends on how long I can get out of then roll.
 

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I am looking to get rid if this blue vat so need the remaining livestock gone. I have one yellow tang. He is healthy but has scars from being bullied. I also have maybe 5 or so large to medium size turbo and top crown snails. Does anyone know anyone that would trade the fish for high end sps?

I can't remember the guy I traded my gem tang for some acros. I would like to get back the 3 acros that since died
 

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Finally got my frag system hooked up to my sump. Finally have a area for frags, not too many but since I have lost lbs if corals I need to start trading or selling before purchasing new thing.
 

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