Jasonanatal's 120 gallon "Advanced Complexity" Reef Aquarium

[Jasonanatal]

Jasonanatal's 120 gallon "Natural Simplicity" Reef Aquarium Update.

Chemicals: Prodibio Bioptim Supplement (Replenishment)

The Prodibio Bioptim supplement requires that I use 3 ampoules every 2 weeks for the dosing regimen. Prodibio Bioptim supplement provides bacteria with all the missing micro nutrients, trace elements, selected amino acids, natural vitamins (Riboflavin) and surface agents from plants to facilitate obsorption of the components by the cells. Prodibio Bioptim dynamises these bacteria and enables a reduction in Nitrates, Phosphates, and Carohydrates, a decrease in silt, muim and filamentous algae, and an improvement to the quality of the water. Prodibio Bioptim maintains a raised Redox Potential and reducs infections and mycosis. This 30 vial supply of Prodibio Boiptim will last for a duration of 5 months in my 120 gallon aquarium with 15 gallon sump making my yearly cost for this supplement alone on average of $140.00.

[I[Photograph - Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - My recent delivery of Prodibio Bioptim supplement 30 vial kit purchased from Salty Supply.[/I]

 

[Brizjuan]

Re: Jasonanatal's 120 gallon "Natural Simplicity" Reef Aquarium.

Hey Jason....

We have a couple things in common I have a 3 month old son as well as a 120 gallon... Some advice I can give to you is if I was in your current position I would immediately decrease the amount of hours you run your lights... If you are finished cycling I would recommend a water change and perhaps running a phos reactor to keep phosphates down.... Theres a couple decent liquid products out there that kill algae and are safe for reef aquariums...
Good luck to you im sure you will have that tank looking beautiful in no time.

Brian

 

[Jasonanatal]

Jasonanatal's 120 gallon "Natural Simplicity" Reef Aquarium Update.

Chemicals: Bulk Reef Supply 2 Part Magnesium Supplement (Magnesium Chloride & Magnesium Sulfate).

My current Magnesium supplement has run out which means that I have the ability to try something new. So after running polls on various forums and spaking with regarded aquarist I have decided to turn to Bulkf Reef Supply for my Magnesium supplement needs. Based on information that I have gathered I will now be dosing a 2 Part Magnesium (Magnesium Chloride & Magnesium Sulfate) supplement to my aquarium.

I received my first shipment and decided that I would create my first 2 Part Magnesium (Magnesium Chloride & Magnesium Sulfate) supplement mixture which consist of (5 Cups of Magnesium Chloride + 3 Cups of Magnesium Sulfate + 1 Gallon of RO/DI Water) which created approximately 1.25 gallons of 2 Part Magnesium (Magnesium Chloride & Magnesium Sulfate). The mixture is currently being dripped into my aquarium so I will report the results as soon as I can.

Photographs - Friday, February 13, 2009 - Bulk Reef Supply Magnesium Chloride and Magnesium Sulfate supplements.

Photograph - Sunday, February 15, 2009 - My desk turned into a mixing station for the Bulk Reef Supply Magnesium 2 Part supplement.

Photographs - Sunday, February 15, 2009 - Bulk Reef Supply 2 Part Magnesium (Magnesium Chloride & Magnesium Sulfate) supplement being dripped into my aquarium via a Kent AquaDose.

 

[Jasonanatal]

Jasonanatal's 120 gallon "Natural Simplicity" Reef Aquarium Update.

Livestock: Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma Flavescens) & Powder Blue Tang (Acanthurus Leucosternon) Acclimation (Update on the Buddies)

It has been 5 days since the arrival, acclimation and introduction of my Powder Blue Tang (Anacthurus Leucosternon) into myy 120 gallon reef aquarium and he has started to shed some of his shy nature. He is coming out of the aquascaping more and starting to eat off of the Ocean Nutrition Algae Clip. But this has started a bit of a territory dispute with my Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma Flavascens). They appear to chase each other whenever they attempt to feed from the Seaweed Salad Green Algae Sheets that are attached to the Ocean Nutrition Algae Clip simultaneously. This has caused my Powder Blue Tang (Acanthurus Leucosternon) to stress a little and display some blotchy areas on his body. I will be picking up a second Ocean Nutrition Algae Clip in order to reduce this territory dispute. Unforutunately they are on they best behavior during the video.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSsvuRf3rUY
Movie - Saturday, February 14, 2009 - My Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma Flavescens) & Powder Blue Tang (Acanthurus Leucosternon) Eating Green Algae from an Ocean Nutrition Algae Clip.

 

[sur4die]

Re: Jasonanatal's 120 gallon "Natural Simplicity" Reef Aquarium.

You might want to get a 3rd clip too. If the yellow is really being that territorial about the clip then he may be able to protect another one at the same time.

I know that for cats if you have multiple cats then you should have one more cat box than the number of cats that you have (mom used to breed them).

it's a cheap solution, and really, how often do you get to say that!

 

[Jasonanatal]

Sur4die.

You might want to get a 3rd clip too. If the yellow is really being that territorial about the clip then he may be able to protect another one at the same time.

I know that for cats if you have multiple cats then you should have one more cat box than the number of cats that you have (mom used to breed them).

it's a cheap solution, and really, how often do you get to say that!

Sur4die, I'm actually going to purchase 2 other types of clips meant to hold Frozen Food.

 

[Jasonanatal]

Jasonanatal's 120 gallon "Natural Simplicity" Reef Aquarium Update.

Chemicals: Prodibio Supplements Dosage (Week 0008)

This weeks Prodibio supplement dosing contains 3 ampoules of Bioptim supplement, 2 ampoules of Prodibio Reef Booster (Live Bacteria) supplement, 2 ampoules of Prodibio Iodi+, 2 ampoules of Prodibio Stroni+ (Strontium) and 1 ampoule of Prodibio Bio Digest supplement.

Photograph - Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - This weeks dosage of Prodibio supplements for my 120 gallon reef aquarium.

 

[Jasonanatal]

Jasonanatal's 120 gallon "Natural Simplicity" Reef Aquarium Update.

Livestock: Powder Blue Tang (Acanthurus Leucosternon)

It's been a little over 1 week since I received this beautiful specimen and he has been adapting well to life in captivity. He is eating well and putting on healthy weight. Their was a period were he displayed some blotchy coloration on 3 areas on his body in the first few days in the aquarium which I belive are cause from stress of a new environment as well as some territorial disputes with my Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma Flavascens) over the single Ocean Nutrition Feeding Clip holding the Ocean Nutrition Green Marine Algae Sheets. However, the blotchy coloration has dissapeard and he seems to being doing fine dispite the disputes every now and then. I have placed on order which I hope to have arrive shortly for more Ocean Nutrition Feeding Clips and a variety of Ocean Nutrition Red Marine Algae Sheets, Ocean Nutrition Brown Marine Algae Sheets and Ocean Nutrition Green Marine Algae Sheets to provide them a varied diet. But overall he is doing great.

Photograph - Wednesday, February 18, 2009 - My Powder Blue Tang (Acanthurus Leucosternon) after a little of 1 week of being introduced to my 120 gallon aquarium.

 

[Jasonanatal]

Jasonanatal's 120 gallon "Natural Simplicity" Reef Aquarium Update.

Life Event: It's My 27th Birthday (Well On Monday February 23, 2009)

Hello everyone, I wanted to apologize for not posting in the last few days. I was a bit busy assisting my wife and organizing my 27th birthday party. She wanted to make this birthday extra special so she told me that she was going to bake me a special cake and that is exactly what she did! I just thought I would share.

Photograph - Saturday, February 21, 2009 - My wifes Birthday Sea Cake created just for me.

 

[Jasonanatal]

Jasonanatal's 120 gallon "Natural Simplicity" Reef Aquarium Update.

Chemicals: Prodibio Supplements Dosage (Week 0009)

This weeks Prodibio supplement dosing contains 2 ampoules of Prodibio Reef Booster (Live Bacteria) supplement, 2 ampoules of Prodibio Stroni+ (Strontium).

Photograph - Tuesday, February 24, 2009 - This weeks dosage of Prodibio supplements for my 120 gallon reef aquarium.

 

[Jasonanatal]

Jasonanatal's 120 gallon "Natural Simplicity" Reef Aquarium Update.

Food: Ocean Nutrition Varied Algae Sheet Diet (Tang Care Package)

Well they say a varied diet is the best thing for your aquarium livstock so I decided to treat my Tangs to a little care package containing Ocean Nutrition Red Marine Algae with added Garlic, Ocean Nurtition Brown Marine Algae, Seawee Salad Green Marine Algae, Ocean Nutrition Algae Clips and Ocean Nutrition Algae Clip with Grid. This allows me to provide them with all the types of algae sheets simultaneously and also frozen foods. I think this will make them pretty happy.

Photograph - Tuesday, February 24, 2009 - Varied Ocean Nutrition Algae Sheets with Ocean Nutrition Algae Clips.

 

[Jasonanatal]

Jasonanatal's 120 gallon "Natural Simplicity" Reef Aquarium Update.

Aquarium: Full Aquarium Photograph

Well here is another recent full aquarium photograph as requested by some of you.

Photograph - Wednesday, February 25, 2009 - My 120 gallon Reef Aquarium full aquarium photograph.

 

[Jasonanatal]

Jasonanatal's 120 gallon "Natural Simplicity" Reef Aquarium Update.

Livestock: Powder Blue Tang (Acanthurus Leucosternon)

Well my Powder Blue Tang (Acanthurus Leucosternon) has been enjoying the new Tang Care Package that I provided for them. There is still a little territorial dispute between him and the Yello Tang (Zebrasoma Flavescens) so I'm considering either adding a species of Dwarf Angelfish or another Tang to curb the aggression.

Photographs - Wednesday, February 25, 2009 - My Powder Blue Tang (Acanthurus Leucosternon) enjoying the new Tang Care Package.

 

[Jasonanatal]

Jasonanatal's 120 gallon "Natural Simplicity" Reef Aquarium Update

Equipment: Deltec NFP509 Nitrate Filter (Vodka Dosing at its Finest)

As many of you know I have been having a very difficult algae problem and even though Prodibio supplements have been doing a great job but I feel that my test kits are not displaying the correct results regarding chemicals that are being consumed by the algae and masked. So I decided that I should bring an old friend back into the mix even though I learned a valuable lesson from not doing all of my homework, the Deltec NF509 Nitrate Filter.

The Deltec NFP509 Nitrate Filter is currently setup underneath my aquarium where it is currently undergoing the beginning stage of seeding which kicks off the initial bacterial bloom within the reactor. The reactor feed line which is currently fed through an Aqua Lifter AW-20 Pump is turn off and the valve sealed in order to isolate the water within the chamber. This isolation is done to cause the Oxygen within the reactor to decrease leaving an ideal conditions for Anaerobic Bacteria to colonize the sponges within the Deltec NFP509 Nitrate Filter Reactor Chamber. However, isolation of the water is not enough. The Bacteria are fed a Nitrate Fluid, which I have mixed (1 part Vodka "Absolute 80 Proof" and 3 parts RO/DI Water) as a food source which is injected into the Deltec NFP509 Nitrate filter in two 1ml doses a day. Over time as the Bacterial Colony grows the food consumption will increase.

The process is slow and has a high risks but if done correctly can yield excellent results in reducing Nitrate and Phosphates within my aquarium as well as naturally providing trace elements and in some cases a reduction in the consistancy of water changes that are required to keep a healthy aquarium.

Photographs - Friday, February 27, 2009 - My Deltec NFP509 Nitrate Filter.

Photographs - Friday, February 27, 2009 - My Aqua Lifter AW-20 Pump used to feed my Deltec NFP509 Nitrate Filter.

 

[Jasonanatal]

Jasonanatal's 120 gallon "Advanced Complexity" Reef Aquarium Update.

Chemicals: Nitrate Fluid (Do-It-Yourself) for the Deltec NFP509 Nitrate Filter

The Deltec NFP509 Nitrate Filter utilizes naturally occuring anaerobic bacteria to remove chemical toxins from the aquarium water column. However, as the bacterial colony matures the food source (Nitrate & Phosphates) within your aquarium can become depleted. So you will need to supplement their food in order to sustain the bacterial colony and prevent it from collapsing. So the question is, how do you supplement the bacterial colonies primary food source? Deltec manufactures a specifically designed Nitrate Fluid that is available in the United Kingdom. However, they are not allowed to import this to the united states due to declining the increased workload associated with the distribution of Alcohol. Alcohol? Well the bacterial colony requires a carbon based food source as a supplement to their primary food source. Just so happens that part of the food is Alcohol based, Vodka to be more precise. Lucky for us Deltec advises that you can create your own Nitrate Fluid using a 1 part Vodka, 3 part RO/DI Water solution which will suite us just fine.

I mixed a batch (64 oz) of my very own Nitrate Fuild constiting on 1 part Absolute Vodka and 3 parts RO/DI Water, which is stored in an repurposed Organic Juice containter from my son. There is some discussion concerned around what type of Vodka should be purchased to concoct this mixture. Some individuals believe that purchasing higher priced Vodka which is a good indiciation that their distilling and purification process of of much better quality is the way to go. However, the majority of individuals purchase the cheapest Vodka available which seems to do the job adequetly. There is one rule that is specified. Do not purchase any Vodka with flavored additives! Also their is much discussion over the Proof of the Vodka. This is unfortunately more a play it by ear scenario as every aquarium is different and dosing amounts can also effect the outcome.

I personally am proceeding with a bit of caution since my last experience which left me to believe that this device cannot and should not be used in small aquariums since the risk associated with its operation becomes extremely high. I have started off with a 2 ml dosage (1 ml in the morning & 1 ml in the evening). The Nitrate Fluid is measure using a syringe and then dosed into the Deltec NFP 509 Nitrate Filter Reactor Chamber through the Non-Return Valve. The Miniature Ball Valve is currently closed since this type of bacteria exist in low level Oxygen environments. today is day 2 out 3 of the seeding process before the Miniature Ball Valve can be opened to allow a drip flow into the aquarium. I will keep everyone posted on the progress.

Diagram - Sunday, March 01, 2009 - The Deltec NFP509 Nitrate Filter main components.

Photograph - Saturday, February 28, 2009 - My home made Nitrate Fluid (1 part Absolute Vodka & 3 parts RO/DI Water) stored in a 64 oz container.]

 

[jceli728]

Re: Jasonanatal's 120 gallon "Natural Simplicity" Reef Aquarium.

You should really do some reading on neozeo or zeovit methods. A lot of people are having great success with them, I personally started using neozeo without the stones. Do you use any phosphate remover?

 

[Jasonanatal]

Jasonanatal's 120 gallon "Advanced Complexity" Reef Aquarium Update.

Equipment: Deltec NFP509 Nitrate Filter Efluent (Coming Online)

Well it has been four days and as the instructions state it is now time to open the Miniature Ball Valve to allow the Efluent to flow out of the Deltec NFP509 Nitrate Filter Reactor Chamber and achieve a 1 drop of efluent every 3 seconds flow rating. So last night I did just that and brought the Deltec NFP509 Nitrate Filter online. You might be wondering as to why you don't just open the valve all the way 1 drop of efluent is no where near capable of handling a 120 gallon aquarium. The reason is because the bacteria are slowly growing their colony and they require a low oxygen environment to grow. The water coming from the aquarium is high in oxygen and too fast of a flow to quickly can cause the bacterial colony to crash which means back to the drawing board as well as a very nasty smell of rotten eggs coming from the the Deltec NFP509 NItrate Filter. It seems slow and steady wins this race.

Photograph - Tuesday, March 03 2009 - The Efluent coming from the Deltec NFP509 Nitrate Filter at 1 drop every 3 seconds.

 

[Jasonanatal]

Jasonanatal's 120 gallon "Advanced Complexity" Reef Aquarium Update.

Equipment: American Marine Inc. Calcium Monitor II (Taking the Time and Color Matching Out of Testing)

Well I decided that I should start improving everything from the groun up. So what better place to start then replacing my liquid test kits with a more efficient, economical and faster method of getting the results of the varies water paramters of my aquarium. So I decided that my LaMotte Liquid Calcium Test Kit was the first to get upgraded. I purchased the American Marine Inc. Calcium Monitor II. This new version comes with a new solid state probe which does not need to be stored in liquid when the monitor is not in use, improves accuracy and longevity of the probes lifespan.

The American Marine Inc. Calcium Monitor II can be operated from a 9 volt battery, giving you 150 hours of continuous use or using an AC Adapter (sold seperatly). Also calibration is simple using 100 and 100 Calcium Liquid provided when you purchase the monitor. All that is needed is to dip the probe into the solution, set your monitor to calibration mode and wait until the number 100 or 1000 respectively stop flashing and hit enter after calibrating to each solution. The American Marine Inc. Calcium Monitor II has a resolution of 0.2 PPM and an accuracy of +/- 2% of the reading after calibration. The Americna Marine Inc. Calcium Monitor II retails for an average of $259.00. Overall the American Marine Inc. Calcium Monitor II is a great, especially if your testing your Calcium levels on a weekly basis or more. Please keep in mind this is recommended for spot testing as oppossed to continuous monitoring according to the folks at American Marine Inc.

Photographs - Wednesday, March 11, 2009 - My American Marine Inc. Calcium Monitor II with 100 and 1000 Calibration Fluid and new Solid State Probe.

 

[Jasonanatal]

Jasonanatal's 120 gallon "Advanced Complexity" Reef Aquarium Update.

Do-It-Yourself: Customer Aquarium Stand (Doing My Bob Villa Thing)

My wife wants my son to be able to explore the rest of the house to further his development and I want to be able to keep his curious little hands from exploring and adjusting my equipment while I'm not home. So I thought I should complete the aquariun stand this past weekend. I made a trip to home depot and picked up all the necessary supplies and began doing my Bob Villa thing. The end result a sturdy stand that doesn't shake at all for about $150.00 in supplies and my son starting to explore the rest of the house. I think I did a pretty good job for my first stand. Next is the canopy.

Photographs - Monday, March 09, 2009 - Me building my custom aquarium stand.

 

[Jasonanatal]

March of Dimes "March for Babies" Fundraiser

Well It's that time of the year were I go ahead and ask all my friends, family, and co-workers to sponsor my son's team "Jayson Michael" for the March of Dimes "March for Babies Walk". My wife first started having complications in the first trimester of her pregnancy and if it weren't for the research of the the March of Dime, I may not have had a chance to meet my son Jayson. Jason was born 6 weeks premature and is now living a wonderful healthy life that I am grateful for every day.

I have included a link to my personal March of Dimes webpage where donations can be made. I understand that these are difficult times with the economic regression but even the smallest donation will help fund research that has the potential to save a babies life. I you so choose please feel free to foward the link to anyone who you think would like to donate. Thank you in advance for any donations.

March of Dimes Donation Link
http://www.marchforbabies.org/Jasonanatal