The Pictichromis paccagnellae (royal dottyback, dwergzeebaars) appeared stressed after the last big clean up. After a few day he was “gone”: died and probably eaten by anemone fishes or salarias.
Syphoned (20 l) and shrubbed some of the stones again.
Watervalues
| Min | Max | 3 nov 15 | 24 dec 15 | 12 jan 16 | 22 mrt 16 | |
| 0 | 0,03 | 0,03 | 0,05 | 0,03 | 0,05 | PO4 (mg/l) |
| 1200 | 1500 | 1200 | 1050 | 1170 | 2000 | Mg (ppm) |
| 400 | 450 | 380 | 440 | 425 | 600 | Ca (ppm) |
| 0 | 5 | 50 | 25 | 5 | 2 | NO3 (ppm) |
| 8 | 9 | 11,8 | 13,3 | 12,8 | 6,7 | KH (dKH) |
| 7,8 | 8,4 | 8 | pH |
Syphoned out almost all the sand: there were some patches of red flap and especially under the skimmer a lot of mud had accumulated at the bottom of the sand. Replaced it by a thicker layer (avg. 8 cm) of sand (half normal aquarium grit, half special reefsand) to create an anaeroob environment, to get the denitrification bateria society started. Also added Tetra nitraMinus pearls to inoculate the fresh sand.
Nitrate wasn’t too high after all today (between 10-25) but decided to carry on for it also gave me the opportunity to refresh the water for 50% and shrub away algae from the rocks i had to lift out anyhow.
Against algae and high Nitrate, I started to add Wodka (1ml per 100 ml).
Almost all polyps withered away by know…:-( I wonder if it had to do with the changed currents: i did start the bigger pump during nights and also changed the current of the first pump to the front.
Alqae coming back again. Refreshed 20 l (16%) and brushed away the algae from half the stones. Two star-polyps are a bit withering, not going completely “open”. Fish are doing fine by the way.
I started to add the second pump ( Tunze Turbelle Stream 6065 ) during night only (less noise). The first pump i directed more to the front of the tank.
Hoeben (petstore with a nice seewater part) advised against algae to check KH and move it up to ca. 12. My check today (last column):
Test Min Max 3-11-15 24-12 12-1-16
PO4 (mg/l) 0 0,03 0,03 0,05 0,03
Mg (ppm) 1200 1500 1200 1050 1170
Ca (ppm) 400 450 380 440 425
NO3 (ppm) 0 5 50 25 5
KH (dKH) 8 9 11,8 13,3 12,8
pH 7,8 8,4
So KH is already on the high side. I found explanation about KH at http://www.zeewaterforum.info/forums/archive/index.php/t-89310.html?s=02f0c1feb0687278ce701d21e0a72c1d most useful.
I bought DinoX and applied this toxin also 3 times so far (like DinoXal last month), but with no result against the filament algae. After 3rd time I saw the skimmer residue turned a bit greener, so maybe have to continue a while.
Meantime refreshed 40 l (35%) of the water (hence the nice values above;-). I also took out the major rocks and brushed them clean.
I started adding DinoXal from 24th dec three subsequent nights, which was sufficient to eradicate them.
About the dosis: the flacon directs “Apply 1 tsp. (5ml) per 25 gal. (100 ml) of tank water…”. Decided to apply 6ml only for my 120 L tank. (wander how many people would have applied 6 liter instead, guess not too many for the flacon only contains 250 ml, but sloppy manual it is.
One colony of star polyps withered away and was then burried under a flap of cyanobacterium.
My guess is the bacteria fed on the remains. See pictures.
Removed them during siphoning, replacing 25 liters (20%) + removing of the green algae.
NO3 a bit decreasing but still high: app. 30 ppm.
Still feeding every second day only.
Refreshed 25 L (=20%), removed some algae with my fingers during the siphoning.
The “new” piece of old coral is now also becoming populated with the green algae.
Installed a “red light” spot from 7:00 to 11:00 am upfront to the “day”light, as a kind of sunrise effect. Bought an Arcadia Aquarium LED Spot 1 Watt Licht System Strahler ROT AS1RX mit Netzteil on http://www.amazon.de/dp/B004XVI4NC/ref=pe_386171_38075861_TE_item_image
Have to say it turns the tank into a kind of whore cabinet (no visitors yet;-). Not convinced I like it.
wimszeewater 