http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Sun, 05 Jul 2026 19:42:27 +0000 Tue, 17 Aug 2010 20:32:20 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.03 360 www.utahreefs.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=42828 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/1by1.gif http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=42828&PID=372205&title=params-off#372205 Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 42828
Posted: August 17 2010 at 8:32pm

Brown algae is a very good sign. Let it grow for now because it is eating up the pollution. The glass may get to where you can't see through it, but that's okay. It will speed up the removal of Ammonia and the next pollutants in the cycle, which I'll bet never get out of bounds because of the right things you are doing.
You are doing good.
]]> Tue, 17 Aug 2010 20:32:20 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=42828&PID=372205&title=params-off#372205 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=42828&PID=372107&title=params-off#372107 Author: bstuver
Subject: 42828
Posted: August 16 2010 at 10:49pm

Mark Peterson wrote: You are right. Seeding fw or salt works on the same principle. The N cycle starts with Ammonia. Nitrite and Nitrate are on their way they just haven't shown up yet. Everything you can do to eliminate Ammonia and to increase the biofiltration to reduce the pollution of these next two phases of the cycle will be appreciated by your reef and by you.

So other than what I am doing, is there anything else I should be doing?
I have added the ammonia pad, I will go pick up some amquel tomorrow I use prime as my water conditioner but am freshly out.
I have the lights running 24/7 on the tank and the macro algae
I added the filter material from my 60g tank
I have done 3-4 water changes but maybe from your last post I should just let the lights take effect.
I have removed anything that looks dead or dying
I think that's it:( Anything else I can do other than go get the amquel tomorrow?
I am starting to see a brown algae on the some of the rocks in the tank.
]]> Mon, 16 Aug 2010 22:49:13 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=42828&PID=372107&title=params-off#372107 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=42828&PID=372105&title=params-off#372105 Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 42828
Posted: August 16 2010 at 10:41pm

Yes, Amquel, Prime and a few others. They are very limited and require quite a lot to do the job, but can be helpful.

I just did a google search about "reducing ammonia in the aqurium" and one of the top hits said "the best way to reduce ammonia is water changes" This comes from an aquarium site. Of course it is one of the ways, but certainly not the best or the easiest.  I hope that we can understand the real truth about water changes, biology and biofiltration.
First, a 20% water change only reduces anything, whether it is Ammonia, Nitrite or Nitrate by 20% That means that the 0.3 Ammonia will be lowered to 0.24 and a second 20% water change will lower the level to 0.2. That's only 30% reduction.
At the same time, 20% of the Ammonia eating bacteria living in Live Water are being removed from the system, reducing the ability of the system to help itself. Not so good.

On the other hand, when a bunch of algae is well illuminated 24/7 it can reduce the Ammonia and other N compounds by 50% in a 24 hour period. I've seen it in practice. The reason you only hear it from me is because few people have tried it, or if they did try it the attempt came later after the biofiltration in the tank had naturally compensated. Unfortunately, it came too late to save the coral or fish.

Now I'm rambling, but look at how long ago I posted the thread about using LS, LR, LW and Macroalgae! While new gadgets seem to catch on fire, old antiquated biological misunderstanding dies hard in this hobby.
]]> Mon, 16 Aug 2010 22:41:10 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=42828&PID=372105&title=params-off#372105 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=42828&PID=372100&title=params-off#372100 Author: bstuver
Subject: 42828
Posted: August 16 2010 at 10:21pm

It's from a salt tank not a fresh water tank so no worry]]> Mon, 16 Aug 2010 22:21:41 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=42828&PID=372100&title=params-off#372100 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=42828&PID=372099&title=params-off#372099 Author: SGH360
Subject: 42828
Posted: August 16 2010 at 10:17pm

does FW bacteria is the same as SW or is it like ich? one for each type of water]]> Mon, 16 Aug 2010 22:17:49 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=42828&PID=372099&title=params-off#372099 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=42828&PID=372095&title=params-off#372095 Author: bstuver
Subject: 42828
Posted: August 16 2010 at 10:10pm

Mark Peterson wrote: You are right.Seeding fw or salt works on the same principle.

Great I will throw that in my sump and hopefully it will help out:)
]]> Mon, 16 Aug 2010 22:10:22 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=42828&PID=372095&title=params-off#372095 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=42828&PID=372094&title=params-off#372094 Author: bstuver
Subject: 42828
Posted: August 16 2010 at 10:09pm

Mark Peterson wrote: Oh and besides the Ammonia absorbing pad that you are using, there is a simple liquid product that neutralizes Ammonia. I know that Jake Pehrson, another of the knowledgeable and experienced hobbyists here, often uses it for tank moves. I hope that this experience hasn't completely soured you to the hobby, but that it helps you recognize the great value of coming here to ask questions and receive the knowledge that will make your reefkeeping experience more positive and enjoyable.

Would that be Amquel?
Nah I will be fine, just frustrated and I lost a lot of beautiful corals so that part really sucks. But I had discus before I did this and they were frustrating as well so it's all good.
Hopefully I am on the right track:)
]]> Mon, 16 Aug 2010 22:09:41 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=42828&PID=372094&title=params-off#372094 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=42828&PID=372093&title=params-off#372093 Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 42828
Posted: August 16 2010 at 10:08pm

You are right. Seeding fw or salt works on the same principle.

The N cycle starts with Ammonia. Nitrite and Nitrate are on their way they just haven't shown up yet. Everything you can do to eliminate Ammonia and to increase the biofiltration to reduce the pollution of these next two phases of the cycle will be appreciated by your reef and by you.


Edited by Mark Peterson - August 16 2010 at 10:14pm]]> Mon, 16 Aug 2010 22:08:44 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=42828&PID=372093&title=params-off#372093 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=42828&PID=372092&title=params-off#372092 Author: bstuver
Subject: 42828
Posted: August 16 2010 at 10:06pm

Also where it is ammonia that seems to be the last thing I need to get rid of, am I on the right track?
I would assume if I removed everything and got new sand at this point it might do more harm? I don't know I am pretty bummed I lost a lot of stuff, and I don't know if I should be doing anything more than what I am.
]]> Mon, 16 Aug 2010 22:06:40 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=42828&PID=372092&title=params-off#372092 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=42828&PID=372090&title=params-off#372090 Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 42828
Posted: August 16 2010 at 10:06pm

Oh and besides the Ammonia absorbing pad that you are using, there is a simple liquid product that neutralizes Ammonia. I know that Jake Pehrson, another of the knowledgeable and experienced hobbyists here, often uses it for tank moves.

I hope that this experience hasn't completely soured you to the hobby, but that it helps you recognize the great value of coming here to ask questions and receive the knowledge that will make your reefkeeping experience more positive and enjoyable.
]]> Mon, 16 Aug 2010 22:06:28 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=42828&PID=372090&title=params-off#372090