So I've been running a pretty low-tech 20g long tank for almost two years now. I've had quite a bit of success in finding a low-maintenance tank with corals that are attractive and growing, and just a couple of fish.
As some of you may remember, I recently took over the 280g (I think? 72x30x30) tank at work, and while the basics are the same, there are some new pieces I'm running into.
1. Filter socks: How often do you change your filter socks? Mine are overflowing after a day of use. Seems like they should last a bit longer than that. Also, the filter socks are in a chamber that also has quite a bit of rock and ceramic rings/bits in it, that seem to inhibit the socks from stretching all the way out. Is there any reason to have that? I get that it can be more space for bacteria to live, but...I'm not sure the tank really needs it.
2. Biopellets: anyone running these? Any thoughts? Am I really helping, or am I just kicking out a ton of bacteria into my tank, that may or may not be picked up by my skimmer? The output tube for the biopellet reactor goes straight into the skimmer pump, but I can't imagine it catches everything. Maybe it does.
3. It seems like most people run GFO. The tank has a carbon tumbler on it, and I have an extra tumbler that I could run some sort of GFO in, but last time we had both on line the coral started bleaching out and dying back. When we took the GFO offline, the coral seemed to bounce back. For those more experienced than I am, does that make sense? Could we have stripped the tank of phosphates too aggressively? Is it too much to run Biopellets, a highly rated skimmer, carbon, and GFO?. Or was it just a coincidence? I'm also more or less convinced the lights were too high. Once I took over I lowered them and noticed growth started back up on a few pieces.
4. Lights: Basically the only place coralline shows up is in shadows. Anywhere in direct line of the LEDs is bleached. Used to have Coralline everywhere before installing LEDs (I just took over the tank, but have been around it for 18 months ish), now it's only under rocks, in shadows, and on the sides of the tank--out of direct LED light. Is that a pretty good indicator that lights are too bright? Lights have gone down from about 95% intensity to 80% intensity. I'm tempted to keep notching them down, but I worry about SPS. I know it likes light, but I also know LEDs can really torch a tank if done incorrectly.
5. I'm considering shutting down my desk tank (the 20g) and putting its fish/corals in the big tank. My only concern is that the established pair of clowns in the big tank will pick on my snowflake. Anyone had success with 3 clowns in a tank this size? I'm thinking it can be done, but I'd hate to lose a fish (and stress the rest of the tank out). There's nothing else I'm concerned about compatibility with.
That's probably it for now. Appreciate your expertise.
As some of you may remember, I recently took over the 280g (I think? 72x30x30) tank at work, and while the basics are the same, there are some new pieces I'm running into.
1. Filter socks: How often do you change your filter socks? Mine are overflowing after a day of use. Seems like they should last a bit longer than that. Also, the filter socks are in a chamber that also has quite a bit of rock and ceramic rings/bits in it, that seem to inhibit the socks from stretching all the way out. Is there any reason to have that? I get that it can be more space for bacteria to live, but...I'm not sure the tank really needs it.
2. Biopellets: anyone running these? Any thoughts? Am I really helping, or am I just kicking out a ton of bacteria into my tank, that may or may not be picked up by my skimmer? The output tube for the biopellet reactor goes straight into the skimmer pump, but I can't imagine it catches everything. Maybe it does.
3. It seems like most people run GFO. The tank has a carbon tumbler on it, and I have an extra tumbler that I could run some sort of GFO in, but last time we had both on line the coral started bleaching out and dying back. When we took the GFO offline, the coral seemed to bounce back. For those more experienced than I am, does that make sense? Could we have stripped the tank of phosphates too aggressively? Is it too much to run Biopellets, a highly rated skimmer, carbon, and GFO?. Or was it just a coincidence? I'm also more or less convinced the lights were too high. Once I took over I lowered them and noticed growth started back up on a few pieces.
4. Lights: Basically the only place coralline shows up is in shadows. Anywhere in direct line of the LEDs is bleached. Used to have Coralline everywhere before installing LEDs (I just took over the tank, but have been around it for 18 months ish), now it's only under rocks, in shadows, and on the sides of the tank--out of direct LED light. Is that a pretty good indicator that lights are too bright? Lights have gone down from about 95% intensity to 80% intensity. I'm tempted to keep notching them down, but I worry about SPS. I know it likes light, but I also know LEDs can really torch a tank if done incorrectly.
5. I'm considering shutting down my desk tank (the 20g) and putting its fish/corals in the big tank. My only concern is that the established pair of clowns in the big tank will pick on my snowflake. Anyone had success with 3 clowns in a tank this size? I'm thinking it can be done, but I'd hate to lose a fish (and stress the rest of the tank out). There's nothing else I'm concerned about compatibility with.
That's probably it for now. Appreciate your expertise.
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