Tank improvement advice wanted

Hi,

It's been about a year since I set up my 75 gallon reef tank (some pics
at http://www.spazthecat.com/iblog/B93549880/index.html) and I was now
looking to optimize anything I could. So, I was looking for a little
advice as far as what I should do first.

My set up is as follows:

-75 gallon tank
-10 gallon sump plumbed to basement
-sump return pump is a Mag 1800 (distance of sump to main tank is 10-12
feet)
-1 Seaswirl on the the return line.
-1 Maxijet 600 at the end of the tank opposite the Seaswirl
-2 250 watt heaters in sump
-1 AquaC Urchin skimmer in the sump
-2 175 MH lights (10,000K)
-1 96 watt pc actinic
-75 lbs lived rock
-3-4 inch sand bed with sugar grained sized sand

Livestock:
-2 percula clowns
-1 yellow tank
-1 bartlett anthia
-1 orchid dotyback
-1 red and black cucumber
-approx 20 astrea snails
-approx 20 blue leg hermits
-approx 5 turbo snails
-unknown number of nassarius snails. Maybe 5.
-1 emerald crab
-green star polyps
-assorted mushrooms
-two plate corals
-1 tree coral
-large clump of Xenia
-yellow polyps

Care and feeding:
-5 gallon water change every two weeks. (IO salt + RO water)
-Buffer and calcium as needed.
-DT's Phytoplankton 15 ml every other day.
-Frozen food (Reef supreme), 1 block every other day
-OSI flake food on the days I don't feed the frozen food
-Nori, 1 strip every other day
-Tank chemistry has been stable

I think at this point the big thing I am missing is high enough water
flow. I was considering adding a SCWD instead of more powerheads. I
don't like to have extra "stuff" in the main tank.

Anything else? Suggestions?

Thanks!

Andy

It's been about a year since I set up my 75 gallon reef tank (some pics
at http://www.spazthecat.com/iblog/B93549880/index.html) and I was now
looking to optimize anything I could. So, I was looking for a little
advice as far as what I should do first.

before I go to far with it

are you having any problems? any major planned upgrades?


and what does

-Tank chemistry has been stable

really mean

--
Richard Reynolds

No real problems. I think I have more problems with bad algae than I
should and slower coraline growth than I should. I thought maybe
increased flow would help get more detritus out of the main tank and
into the sump. More detritus into sump = more siphoned out when I do
water changes = less bad algae. I also had a pretty large mass snail die
off for no real reason. Like 6-8 died all in the same week. But, that
seems to happen from time to time.

No major upgrades planned, I was going to get a little feedback and see
if I really needed to make a big change. My gut feeling is not major
changes are needed.

Chemistries:

Nitrate, Nitrite, and Ammonia all zero.
Calcium around 550.
Ph 8.3
alkalinity 3.4

All have been this way since cycling.

Thanks,
Andy


In article muglc.34452$NZ4.277@lakeread05,
"Richard Reynolds" wrote:

It's been about a year since I set up my 75 gallon reef tank (some pics
at http://www.spazthecat.com/iblog/B93549880/index.html) and I was now
looking to optimize anything I could. So, I was looking for a little
advice as far as what I should do first.

before I go to far with it

are you having any problems? any major planned upgrades?


and what does

-Tank chemistry has been stable

really mean

that calcium level is off the chart.
What is going on there?
do you have an alk level.
If you don;t test this (IMO most important) then that'd be your problem.
Stick to over 9 dKH.
I think that is something like 3.5 meq/l. Not sure, sorry.
More water and an SCWD would be great too.
Can you weir/ overflow handle another pump, maybe even a larger pump
into the SCWDs with teh head and the loss through the SCWD (around 30%)
you'll need a decent pump if you want no power heads. Flow is
everything. I'm finding (even in soft coral tanks) that real nice
currents are very important.

Simon


Andy Black wrote:

No real problems. I think I have more problems with bad algae than I
should and slower coraline growth than I should. I thought maybe
increased flow would help get more detritus out of the main tank and
into the sump. More detritus into sump = more siphoned out when I do
water changes = less bad algae. I also had a pretty large mass snail die
off for no real reason. Like 6-8 died all in the same week. But, that
seems to happen from time to time.

No major upgrades planned, I was going to get a little feedback and see
if I really needed to make a big change. My gut feeling is not major
changes are needed.

Chemistries:

Nitrate, Nitrite, and Ammonia all zero.
Calcium around 550.
Ph 8.3
alkalinity 3.4

All have been this way since cycling.

Thanks,
Andy


In article muglc.34452$NZ4.277@lakeread05,
"Richard Reynolds" wrote:



It's been about a year since I set up my 75 gallon reef tank (some pics
at http://www.spazthecat.com/iblog/B93549880/index.html) and I was now
looking to optimize anything I could. So, I was looking for a little
advice as far as what I should do first.


before I go to far with it

are you having any problems? any major planned upgrades?


and what does



-Tank chemistry has been stable


really mean

Alot of LFS have told me that a high Calcium level aides in Coraline Algae
growth.
Maybe that's why his is at such levels, I myself have high Calcium levels..

Cheers
Microbot

"Simon O'Keeffe" wrote in message
...
that calcium level is off the chart.
What is going on there?
do you have an alk level.
If you don;t test this (IMO most important) then that'd be your problem.
Stick to over 9 dKH.
I think that is something like 3.5 meq/l. Not sure, sorry.
More water and an SCWD would be great too.
Can you weir/ overflow handle another pump, maybe even a larger pump
into the SCWDs with teh head and the loss through the SCWD (around 30%)
you'll need a decent pump if you want no power heads. Flow is
everything. I'm finding (even in soft coral tanks) that real nice
currents are very important.

Simon


Andy Black wrote:

No real problems. I think I have more problems with bad algae than I
should and slower coraline growth than I should. I thought maybe
increased flow would help get more detritus out of the main tank and
into the sump. More detritus into sump = more siphoned out when I do
water changes = less bad algae. I also had a pretty large mass snail die
off for no real reason. Like 6-8 died all in the same week. But, that
seems to happen from time to time.

No major upgrades planned, I was going to get a little feedback and see
if I really needed to make a big change. My gut feeling is not major
changes are needed.

Chemistries:

Nitrate, Nitrite, and Ammonia all zero.
Calcium around 550.
Ph 8.3
alkalinity 3.4

All have been this way since cycling.

Thanks,
Andy


In article muglc.34452$NZ4.277@lakeread05,
"Richard Reynolds" wrote:



It's been about a year since I set up my 75 gallon reef tank (some pics
at http://www.spazthecat.com/iblog/B93549880/index.html) and I was now
looking to optimize anything I could. So, I was looking for a little
advice as far as what I should do first.


before I go to far with it

are you having any problems? any major planned upgrades?


and what does



-Tank chemistry has been stable


really mean

That is part of the reason. The other is just a mistake.

Is 550 really THAT high? I didn't think it was too high. Anyways,
another water change or two and it should be back down around 500. Alk
is hanging right around 3.4.

Thanks for the replies,

Andy

In article ,
"Microbot" wrote:

Alot of LFS have told me that a high Calcium level aides in Coraline Algae
growth.
Maybe that's why his is at such levels, I myself have high Calcium levels..

Cheers
Microbot

"Simon O'Keeffe" wrote in message
...
that calcium level is off the chart.
What is going on there?
do you have an alk level.
If you don;t test this (IMO most important) then that'd be your problem.
Stick to over 9 dKH.
I think that is something like 3.5 meq/l. Not sure, sorry.
More water and an SCWD would be great too.
Can you weir/ overflow handle another pump, maybe even a larger pump
into the SCWDs with teh head and the loss through the SCWD (around 30%)
you'll need a decent pump if you want no power heads. Flow is
everything. I'm finding (even in soft coral tanks) that real nice
currents are very important.

Simon


Andy Black wrote:

No real problems. I think I have more problems with bad algae than I
should and slower coraline growth than I should. I thought maybe
increased flow would help get more detritus out of the main tank and
into the sump. More detritus into sump = more siphoned out when I do
water changes = less bad algae. I also had a pretty large mass snail die
off for no real reason. Like 6-8 died all in the same week. But, that
seems to happen from time to time.

No major upgrades planned, I was going to get a little feedback and see
if I really needed to make a big change. My gut feeling is not major
changes are needed.

Chemistries:

Nitrate, Nitrite, and Ammonia all zero.
Calcium around 550.
Ph 8.3
alkalinity 3.4

All have been this way since cycling.

Thanks,
Andy


In article muglc.34452$NZ4.277@lakeread05,
"Richard Reynolds" wrote:



It's been about a year since I set up my 75 gallon reef tank (some pics
at http://www.spazthecat.com/iblog/B93549880/index.html) and I was now
looking to optimize anything I could. So, I was looking for a little
advice as far as what I should do first.


before I go to far with it

are you having any problems? any major planned upgrades?


and what does



-Tank chemistry has been stable


really mean

Well, since it's in the basement, I presume you have room and there's not an
unsightlyness issue, so how about a 20 gallon or 30 gallon sump? Cost of a
bigger sump container would be minimal. And you could make part of it into a
refugium containing macroalgae to reduce nutrients.

And perhaps a better skimmer. Something like the smallest Euroreef. Would
probably also help with your algae problem a lot.

Andy,

550ppm Calcium is very high. 400 to 450 is close the NSW.
What is your Alkalinity reading? 3.4 dKH or 3.4 meq/L? If the latter, it is
correct. If the former, it is way too low.

Marc


Andy Black wrote:

That is part of the reason. The other is just a mistake.

Is 550 really THAT high? I didn't think it was too high. Anyways,
another water change or two and it should be back down around 500. Alk
is hanging right around 3.4.

Thanks for the replies,

Andy

In article ,
"Microbot" wrote:

Alot of LFS have told me that a high Calcium level aides in Coraline Algae
growth.
Maybe that's why his is at such levels, I myself have high Calcium levels..

Cheers
Microbot

"Simon O'Keeffe" wrote in message
...
that calcium level is off the chart.
What is going on there?
do you have an alk level.
If you don;t test this (IMO most important) then that'd be your problem.
Stick to over 9 dKH.
I think that is something like 3.5 meq/l. Not sure, sorry.
More water and an SCWD would be great too.
Can you weir/ overflow handle another pump, maybe even a larger pump
into the SCWDs with teh head and the loss through the SCWD (around 30%)
you'll need a decent pump if you want no power heads. Flow is
everything. I'm finding (even in soft coral tanks) that real nice
currents are very important.

Simon


Andy Black wrote:

No real problems. I think I have more problems with bad algae than I
should and slower coraline growth than I should. I thought maybe
increased flow would help get more detritus out of the main tank and
into the sump. More detritus into sump = more siphoned out when I do
water changes = less bad algae. I also had a pretty large mass snail die
off for no real reason. Like 6-8 died all in the same week. But, that
seems to happen from time to time.

No major upgrades planned, I was going to get a little feedback and see
if I really needed to make a big change. My gut feeling is not major
changes are needed.

Chemistries:

Nitrate, Nitrite, and Ammonia all zero.
Calcium around 550.
Ph 8.3
alkalinity 3.4

All have been this way since cycling.

Thanks,
Andy


In article muglc.34452$NZ4.277@lakeread05,
"Richard Reynolds" wrote:



It's been about a year since I set up my 75 gallon reef tank (some pics
at http://www.spazthecat.com/iblog/B93549880/index.html) and I was now
looking to optimize anything I could. So, I was looking for a little
advice as far as what I should do first.


before I go to far with it

are you having any problems? any major planned upgrades?


and what does



-Tank chemistry has been stable


really mean




--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

What effects does a high calcium have in the tank around that 550 to 650 ?

--



My Aquarium Homepage
http://members.optusnet.com.au/pinba...kozzysaquarium

(Still being worked on)


"Marc Levenson" wrote in message
...
Andy,

550ppm Calcium is very high. 400 to 450 is close the NSW.
What is your Alkalinity reading? 3.4 dKH or 3.4 meq/L? If the latter, it
is
correct. If the former, it is way too low.

Marc


Andy Black wrote:

That is part of the reason. The other is just a mistake.

Is 550 really THAT high? I didn't think it was too high. Anyways,
another water change or two and it should be back down around 500. Alk
is hanging right around 3.4.

Thanks for the replies,

Andy

In article ,
"Microbot" wrote:

Alot of LFS have told me that a high Calcium level aides in Coraline
Algae
growth.
Maybe that's why his is at such levels, I myself have high Calcium
levels..

Cheers
Microbot

"Simon O'Keeffe" wrote in message
...
that calcium level is off the chart.
What is going on there?
do you have an alk level.
If you don;t test this (IMO most important) then that'd be your
problem.
Stick to over 9 dKH.
I think that is something like 3.5 meq/l. Not sure, sorry.
More water and an SCWD would be great too.
Can you weir/ overflow handle another pump, maybe even a larger pump
into the SCWDs with teh head and the loss through the SCWD (around
30%)
you'll need a decent pump if you want no power heads. Flow is
everything. I'm finding (even in soft coral tanks) that real nice
currents are very important.

Simon


Andy Black wrote:

No real problems. I think I have more problems with bad algae than
I
should and slower coraline growth than I should. I thought maybe
increased flow would help get more detritus out of the main tank
and
into the sump. More detritus into sump = more siphoned out when I
do
water changes = less bad algae. I also had a pretty large mass
snail die
off for no real reason. Like 6-8 died all in the same week. But,
that
seems to happen from time to time.

No major upgrades planned, I was going to get a little feedback and
see
if I really needed to make a big change. My gut feeling is not
major
changes are needed.

Chemistries:

Nitrate, Nitrite, and Ammonia all zero.
Calcium around 550.
Ph 8.3
alkalinity 3.4

All have been this way since cycling.

Thanks,
Andy


In article muglc.34452$NZ4.277@lakeread05,
"Richard Reynolds" wrote:



It's been about a year since I set up my 75 gallon reef tank
(some pics
at http://www.spazthecat.com/iblog/B93549880/index.html) and I
was now
looking to optimize anything I could. So, I was looking for a
little
advice as far as what I should do first.


before I go to far with it

are you having any problems? any major planned upgrades?


and what does



-Tank chemistry has been stable


really mean




--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

If the Alk gets any higer you will what is referred to as a chalk fall
out...the Ca actually turns into what looks like chalk powder and it looks
it is snowing in your tank. Then you have an ionic imbalance and spend a
lot of time and $ in water changes trying to get things under control.

FWIW....NSW Alk=2.9 and Ca = 420-450. If it's worked all this time in the
ocean, it should work for us at home



"skozzy" wrote in message
. ..
What effects does a high calcium have in the tank around that 550 to 650 ?

--



My Aquarium Homepage
http://members.optusnet.com.au/pinba...kozzysaquarium

(Still being worked on)


"Marc Levenson" wrote in message
...
Andy,

550ppm Calcium is very high. 400 to 450 is close the NSW.
What is your Alkalinity reading? 3.4 dKH or 3.4 meq/L? If the latter,
it
is
correct. If the former, it is way too low.

Marc


Andy Black wrote:

That is part of the reason. The other is just a mistake.

Is 550 really THAT high? I didn't think it was too high. Anyways,
another water change or two and it should be back down around 500. Alk
is hanging right around 3.4.

Thanks for the replies,

Andy

In article ,
"Microbot" wrote:

Alot of LFS have told me that a high Calcium level aides in Coraline
Algae
growth.
Maybe that's why his is at such levels, I myself have high Calcium
levels..

Cheers
Microbot

"Simon O'Keeffe" wrote in message
...
that calcium level is off the chart.
What is going on there?
do you have an alk level.
If you don;t test this (IMO most important) then that'd be your
problem.
Stick to over 9 dKH.
I think that is something like 3.5 meq/l. Not sure, sorry.
More water and an SCWD would be great too.
Can you weir/ overflow handle another pump, maybe even a larger
pump
into the SCWDs with teh head and the loss through the SCWD (around
30%)
you'll need a decent pump if you want no power heads. Flow is
everything. I'm finding (even in soft coral tanks) that real nice
currents are very important.

Simon


Andy Black wrote:

No real problems. I think I have more problems with bad algae than
I
should and slower coraline growth than I should. I thought maybe
increased flow would help get more detritus out of the main tank
and
into the sump. More detritus into sump = more siphoned out when I
do
water changes = less bad algae. I also had a pretty large mass
snail die
off for no real reason. Like 6-8 died all in the same week. But,
that
seems to happen from time to time.

No major upgrades planned, I was going to get a little feedback
and
see
if I really needed to make a big change. My gut feeling is not
major
changes are needed.

Chemistries:

Nitrate, Nitrite, and Ammonia all zero.
Calcium around 550.
Ph 8.3
alkalinity 3.4

All have been this way since cycling.

Thanks,
Andy


In article muglc.34452$NZ4.277@lakeread05,
"Richard Reynolds" wrote:



It's been about a year since I set up my 75 gallon reef tank
(some pics
at http://www.spazthecat.com/iblog/B93549880/index.html) and I
was now
looking to optimize anything I could. So, I was looking for a
little
advice as far as what I should do first.


before I go to far with it

are you having any problems? any major planned upgrades?


and what does



-Tank chemistry has been stable


really mean




--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com