@Ndrwater

Can we make a sticky for this?!?!

Welcome!! Glad you are not only here, but with us at SCRM as well!! Tank looks GREAT!!!

> @Drexl wrote: > And fun fact, spathalata, prostrata and millepora are all millepora now after genetic/dna sequencing. It’s kinda crazy, mostly because all spaths are “fat”, prostrata is typically “skinny” and millies are in between. But they’re all found next to each other, so I guess it makes sense? 🙄 Was talking to Steve Garret about this.. the odd thing is they don't cross breed so is the genetic sequencing correct? Who knows, but still a cool coral

The one on the left is Spatholata i believe. As @Drexl said, high ligt and high flow

Great video!! Who said Germans didn't have a sense if humor!!

This is really interesting... I can tell you from a layman's perspective and having successful SPS tanks with over a decade of continuous "running" I have always believed in a water change and gravel vac.. Not saying massive (like i had to do recently because if my own laziness), but i have ALWAYS seen a positive reaction in the corals with color and polyp extension.. I also know there are a ton of reefers out there that would say the exact opposite . I think its a good opportunity to have a discussion with the pros and cons of each method of reef keeping. I also think there is something to be said, both pro and con, about bare bottom. I have a feeling that many of the perceived issues you have a direct cause and effect to a sandbed. Really interesting stuff.. Thanks for posting this. Gives me ideas about future speakers for SCRM...

Welcome @Leper !! I think you'll find tou like it here!! What part of the industry?

Saw a thing yesterday from VCA for salinity probes. Supposedly keeps things from drifting due to bubbles and the like. Let me see if I can find a link.. https://vividcreativeaquatics.com/shop/sps-kit-the-salinity-probe-shield/

Welp .... I blew up my CaRx .. Just got a full CO2 tank and was hooking everything back up and had some water in the CO2 line.. CO2 didn't have enough pressure after the regulator so I had what i thought was a brilliant idea, which in hindsight, wasn't so brilliant.. I pumped some air back up the line from my air compressor to try and clear the water and BOOM!!. There went the lid to my Geo 818... Fortunately, Geo makes replacements because apparently I am not the only idiot out there .. Lesson learned and $100 lighter... Notice not only the blown out fitting, but the crack all the way across the lid....

> @ktran wrote: > I'm impatient so I use the Hanna checker. Love it so far I might need one of those...

I use a BRS refractometer. Works great ... As long as I calibrate with the solution regularly. I also have the big ass floaty glass one too. Its always spot on, but kind of a PIA to use. Oh... And 35ppt or 1.026

I got a new Sicce return pump for the 120. Also got some new Phosphate reagent and a Salifert Calcium test kit because as much as I love Hanna, the Calcium test is a bear..

> @BackbayReef wrote: > Ooh but I gotta crank this up higher. It’s very depressing for me - sorry Ben. All good... Im just happy not killing stuff... I try not to chase numbers.. if the tank is happy, so am I...

> @wsoldier wrote: > I'm on the tail end of battling high nutrients so still pulling out/siphoning hair algae. > > Also testing some new frags to see how they'll do now that things have stabilized a bit, and wondering how long it will take some of my corals to bounce back after being stressed for a few months. Sounds like we are in similar boats!! Im finally growing Coraline after years of being a FOWLR... Fight the good fight!!!

Happy (belated) Birthday @BackbayReef !! Now you are in my calendar!! I won't miss next year!!!

> @BackbayReef wrote: > I’m already pulling air from the outside but not budging on the big tank. I’ve just gone back to K2 kalk and soda ash — CaRx is now off. Let’s try this again 😁 > > So far, pH is better than yest >  Just looking at your and my graph, remarkably similar...

This is what regular fresh air will get you.. Note the very consistent wave curve on the bottom of the screenshot.. I get lots of surface agitation as well as running a big skimmer and for well over a decade I have the same wave curve in my pH readings.. There is some fluctuations of course, but stability has always been the key for me... The lower pH in the more macro curve is from keeping the house closed up because somebody decided to turn up the heater on the planet recently... It was 108° in Anaheim the other day...

I've been threatening and promising a behind the scenes at Long Beach aquarium for quite a while. I think it's about time I need to make this happen.

> @TangerineSpeedo wrote: > I spy with my little eye... My sticker! Awesome.... You need one of mine... Hit me up and Ill make sure you get one!!

Welcome!! I think youll like it here!!

Winning ALL the prizes!!! I know we are already texting details @Raptor72 , but i wanted everyone else to know we are getting Ceasr sorted with his OTHER win.. Sounds like we are getting some Strats to you soon!!!

> @Raptor72 wrote: > Not to go off topic but I used this small sample bottle I got this weekend and my anemone/ clown harem tank went nuts for it. I might have to get some more of it when I find out where. > > I also know a guy (me) that won the $200 RN raffle. 🙌 I Your winning ALL the cool prizes!!!

Welp!!! WE HAVE A WINNER!!! @Raptor72 !!!

> @Bustayanky_Corals wrote: > Hi West Coast Reefers! Thanks for the invite @Ndrwater ! Glad you're here Will!!

> @BackbayReef wrote: > Good to see you again! > > It was a great show and hope everyone can sleep in or take a day off to relax today! 🌴 This is my plan right here.... Slept in... Only a few emails.. rest my poor feet... Was a great show though.. made a LOT of really good connections for here at WCR as well as SCRM.. Details will follow soon.. Saw a lot of old friends and made a bunch of new ones.

> @Cereous wrote: > When I bought my JBJ 45 second hand the stand was discolored, I tried cleaning it but still looked off. So now it’s sticker bombed so my kids have a place to put all the stickers they get. And that right there is the perfect answer...

Because Matt @LesPaulPlayer73 always has the good stuff!!

> @Raptor72 wrote: > Indeed @Ndrwater, thanks for meeting up and taking some time to chat. Thanks Cesar!! Always and any time. I really enjoy talking reefing and the hobby in general with all of our friends. Hope to see you at either our regular SCRM Club meets our one of our upcoming events. I appreciate the support.

Ive been in waaay over my head in this reefing thing for years.. Good thing im scuba certified 🤿

For anyone who cares to join us, we are on the patio in the nFuse bar. Come by and say Hi!!

> @Raptor72 wrote: > Save me one with my T-Shirt tomorrow. I got you Cesar!!👍👍

> @ktran wrote: > Drinks on @Ndrwater !!! On my tab, but YOUR credit card!!! 😉

Tank looks AWESOME!!!! Tell us more about yourself!! Will you be going to RAP this weekend?

Your parameters are about as perfect as I would hope for. Corals should be very happy.. but the algae is obviously something else. It is very possible that the nutrients the algae is taking up are giving you skewed readings. There are probably other elements at play here as well, but without something like ICP testing its hard to know for sure. I also agree with what was said above with things like urchins and snails, coupled with tangs and other herbivores, you should get a handle on things in relatively short order. I would be very interested to see what an ICP test were to tell you..

> @kwerber wrote: > sorry took me a few. nitrates 7 alk 8.2 phos 0.03. >  > 

This ^^^^^^^ And welcome the the "Cool Kids"!!! 😎

> @Drexl wrote: > So I’ll try to put together a build thread after this weekend and hopefully I’ll have a nice home here to keep track of everything. > One issue that I’m going to try and document, is dealing with valonia in a fishless system. More to come……. The curse of the Green Pearl....

Welcome!! Stoked to have you with us!! Awesome tanks by the way!!!

> @Drexl wrote: > I’ll take one of those please! DONE!!

> @ktran wrote: > Has anyone tried the 3d printed nori feeders so it doesn't get everywhere? Ive seen em, but typically my fish go through it so fast it doesn't make a big mess.. I use the Two Little Fishies magnetic clip because all the others I have used suck...

> @Ampink949 wrote: > Hey everyone! I’m Adam, located in South OC. I’ve been in the reefing hobby for a while and currently have a mixed reef (48” x 30” x 20”). > > I’m running two Neptune SKYs with a 2 4K Gyre for flow . Current fish include a Powder Blue Tang, Philippine Yellow Tang, Blue Tang, Blue-Eye Tang, Porcupine Puffer, Christmas Wrasse, Radiant Wrasse, Royal Gramma, and Flame Angel. > > Coral-wise, I’m really into unique/rare zoas and mushrooms, but I keep a mix of LPS and other corals as well. Some favorites are my Electus Jawbreaker, unique yumas, Sang Lee Colorado Sunburst (CSB), torches, zoas, and rainb Pix or it didn't happen!! 😉

> @joeoliver wrote: > I have a bunch of stickers that came with my orders. i don't like putting them on stuff but also don't want to throw them away. now i know they'll make the perfect gift for that special someone @Ndrwater 😆 And this is why they end up on the mixing barrels... In the garage...

> @Drexl wrote: > I think it's just you Ben. (insert laughing emoji) I used to collect t-shirts when I was on the road, mostly from all of the clubs/venues I used to play in, but those days are over now, but stickers seem fun. I can't be the ONLY one?!?! Can I?!? 😆

I buy in bulk from Amazon... This 50 sheet count last about a month... And yes... All the fish eat it.. even the CBB once the tangs and Stripey start shredding it up...

I have a few more... Probably need to order more .. They seem to be popular... 😉

Just to give you a real world example of what I have going on in my tank right now. But please keep in mind I have an 8-ft 240 gallon tank. I have a naso tang, purple Tang, multiple yellow tangs and a Powder Blue... The powder blue was the last Tang added and also the smallest. This should prevent any of the notorious powder blue tang aggression because he was last in... Unfortunately there are no guarantees in that department, but this is how I chose to do it based on past experience

> @kwerber wrote: > TY. 3 tangs are ok? I like the purple. What do think goes best with a blue and a yellow? What else would you suggest- understanding tank is rimless with no cover. Like I mentioned will add a flame angel. Would you stay away from a coral beauty? Absolutely three tangs are okay. There are those out there aptly named the Tang police that will tell you that your tank will explode and the world will end if you put more than one Tang in a tank because eventually they're going to outgrow it. While the only part of this is true is they will eventually outgrow your tank. there is nothing that says you can't have multiple tangs in your tank. That being said however, zebraSoma tags like yellows, blacks, purples etc have a hard time with other conspecifics. If I were to do multiple yellow tangs which I do and have with great success, I would always do odd numbers 3 5 7 etc. I was very seriously considering adding 15 convict tangs to my tank recently, but unfortunately they were sold out from under me. Convicts are another one that are a naturally schooling fish that are fantastic algae grazers. I would not however recommend adding 15 convict tanks to an 80 gallon tank... Three though??????

Just thinking a bit more about your tank and your situation. There are a ton of different kinds of tangs all of which have unique characteristics that make them good for various type of algae cleaning. A yellow eye tang or any other kind of bristletooth tang have a scraping type mouth which is different from a yellow Tang or any other zebrasoma Tang that has that smaller mouth aimed at picking into smaller spaces. Hippo Tang is really more of a planktavore. They WILL eat algae, but not like other tangs. I've always had quite the collection of tangs in my tank from naso to yellow to bristletooth and hippo. Small Angels also always are picking at the rocks, but they can be questionable sometimes in a reef tank.

Like I mentioned in your other thread, I think a Tang here would probably be a great addition. Captive red yellow Tang pricing has come down to where they are almost affordable again. Even on sale occasionally. There are also several different types of fox face that do a great job of algae control. If you do go the Tang route, make sure you pick carefully. Certain tangs like a powder blue for example should be the absolute last fish that you put in the tank because they can be highly aggressive otherwise. If you're thinking about that post here and ask the question again as to whether or not it might be compatible. There's lots of pros here

I know that over the years I have had many different kinds of nuisance algae. Sometimes they come and go, sometimes it becomes a bigger issue. Looks like your parameters are well in check. For now I would continue with manual removal. But maybe a Tang or a fox face might be helpful beyond your normal cleanup crew. Yellow tags and fox face can be voracious eaters.