Weeds

[Michael Hoaster]

I do have charcoal in my canister filter, but I haven't changed it in a while. Thanks McPuff!

[Chasmodes]

Your tank looks great! I love the back wall contrast too. It does look like an overhang!

[Michael Hoaster]

Thanks Kevin!

I was thinking I needed a fast growing macro to help compete with algae for nutrients. Then I remembered I threw a bunch of ulva into the QT. I retrieved a few and planted them around the top of the tank. That should help.

I've been reading up on dinoflagellates (again). My strategy at this point is UV, manual removal, macro algae competition, and assorted pods, to help consume them. Maybe a three day black out, and/or elevated pH.

Today I didn't remove any, except what floated up, I netted. It's kind of interesting, the war of algae I'm experiencing. There's so many different ones. And there's my crew.

My tank hasn't reached a balance yet. It's still in flux. There are several more pieces of the puzzle to add.

[McPuff]

Originally Posted by Michael Hoaster

There are several more pieces of the puzzle to add.

I always do the border first. :0)

But really, you could look at that as a metaphor. You've built the system that houses the biology (i.e., the border). All of the stuff that makes up the pretty picture is busily arranging itself now. Once you have all pieces (and only then) can you have a completed picture/puzzle. As long as you manage any instability that would jumble the puzzle you'll have a nice picture for a long time.

Metaphor complete. Ha! :0)

[vlangel]

Originally Posted by McPuff

I always do the border first. :0)

But really, you could look at that as a metaphor. You've built the system that houses the biology (i.e., the border). All of the stuff that makes up the pretty picture is busily arranging itself now. Once you have all pieces (and only then) can you have a completed picture/puzzle. As long as you manage any instability that would jumble the puzzle you'll have a nice picture for a long time.

Metaphor complete. Ha! :0)

Hey I like this metaphor, McPuff! It is applicable to most tanks. No matter what we keep, if we tackle the foundational (border) parts/pieces first then we are set up to start putting the pretty picture together. Otherwise, there can be a lot of time just spinning our wheels.

[Chasmodes]

I need to clean my border.

[vlangel]

Originally Posted by Chasmodes

I need to clean my border.

LOL! My problem is that I start trying to find middle puzzle pieces.

[Michael Hoaster]

A puzzle is a good metaphor.

If the border is the tank and system, I haven't even gotten that done yet! I still don't have my main circulation pump running.

If the living elements are the inside pieces, I still have a ways to go there too. I expect to add more snails, pods, worms, serpent stars and a few others, just for algae and detritus. Then filter feeders and more plants. Some more fish would be nice too.

I am wavering on my fish choices. I was planning to stock with grammas and damsels. Now I'm not so sure. I've been looking at some more mild-mannered, schooling fish. Decisions!

[Michael Hoaster]

I added baking soda today, to raise pH. I don't know if it will help or not, but it's one of the things I can try easily. My dinos do not appear to be toxic to my snails or fish. I ordered 1000 pods. They eat dinos. I've been taking notes on a multi-prong attack. More to come.

If I keep adding diversity, I should be able to get to a good balance.

[McPuff]

Originally Posted by Michael Hoaster

I added baking soda today, to raise pH. I don't know if it will help or not, but it's one of the things I can try easily. My dinos do not appear to be toxic to my snails or fish. I ordered 1000 pods. They eat dinos. I've been taking notes on a multi-prong attack. More to come.

If I keep adding diversity, I should be able to get to a good balance.

Curious what your reason is for bumping the pH artificially?

[Michael Hoaster]

It is one of the many different strategies to combat dinoflagellates. It works for some, but not all. I thought I'd give it a try.

Here's an article:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-11/rhf/

[Michael Hoaster]

Another algae export today. I want the grass to have full light access. The dinos come back fast. I think I'm wearing them down, with UV and manual removal. I'm adding macros for competition, and snails and pods to eat them.

Live rock will be added soon. At that point I'd like to have the main pump running. So I need to figure out if I can get it going again. I need to get that done.

[Michael Hoaster]

Today I did another algae clean on the grasses. I also pulled my Dart Gold pump to se if I could get it running again, and I did! So now I have the option of dialing up the current. I wanted to have that in place before getting live rock. I'm very excited to add that facet that's missing right now. It'll have a huge effect on the whole system. I'll wait for the live rock, then turn on the pump.

More pieces of the puzzle.

[lapin]

Originally Posted by Michael Hoaster

Another algae export today. I want the grass to have full light access. The dinos come back fast. I think I'm wearing them down, with UV and manual removal. I'm adding macros for competition, and snails and pods to eat them.

Live rock will be added soon. At that point I'd like to have the main pump running. So I need to figure out if I can get it going again. I need to get that done.

Sounds like the dino's need to pack up and leave town. The sheriff is not going anywhere. It will interesting to see how new flow effects the plants.

[Michael Hoaster]

Thanks lapin!

Yeah, I think I'm making some progress with the dinos. I'm trying different methods to see which mine respond to. It really is mind-blowing how many sometimes opposite methods are suggested to combat this not-quite-algae. Apparently there are over a thousand species of dinoflagellates.

I don't know for sure, but I am guessing these are the same dinos I had in v1. They show several similarities. I found that UV was effective, so I'm expecting similar success.

When I start up the circulation pump, I expect the plants will be a little more happy and the algae, a little less. The biggest change will happen to the sand bar. I think it will be reshaped pretty significantly. That's one of the reasons I'd like to get the live rock in before I turn on the pump. I'm hoping it will help hold the shape of the bar, to some extent. I'm looking forward to it!

[lifeoffaith]

How much live rock do you plan to add? I've enjoyed the minimalist look of your tank, but I agree it could use a little more depth with some added live rock.

[vlangel]

Please take a video of the return pump going along with the wave maker. I want to enjoy the hypnotic sound and motion of the waves!

[Chasmodes]

Glad the pump is working!

If you had to rank the most effective methods of your experience with fighting the dinos, how would your rank them?

[Michael Hoaster]

Thanks lifeoffaith! I like the minimal look too.

Right now, I only have ten pounds of dead rock, that was live rock in v1. My plan is to add only another ten pounds of live rock, mainly to add diversity and sponges. I will put the new stuff on top of the old stuff, so it will remain pretty low and minimal.

[Michael Hoaster]

Hey Dawn! Sorry I haven't posted any vids yet. I promise I will! My wife tells me almost everyday how much she loves the rhythmic sounds of the waves.

[Michael Hoaster]

Thanks Kevin! It's a huge relief to get that pump running again. There were about fifty snails in there!

Good question, on the dino methods. so far, UV seems to be the most effective, along with manual removal. But it's heartbreaking to see it come back the next day. I think that's what really demoralizes people. It's hard enough removing it. For it to come right back is a slap in the face.

My strategy at this point is to try different things and see what works, and wear it down. Then, when I feel like it's the right time, I'll do a full-on dino-massacre, combining several methods, including a three day blackout and two large water changes.

I am seeing signs of a slow-down, so we're on track.

[Michael Hoaster]

Another seagrass algae cleaning today. I'm doing them every other day. I can tell for sure the dinos are weakening. The grasses weren't as coated as they have been. That's good!

This is not a quick setup. It will take some time to develop. When you have a specific plan, time is secondary. I could hurry things along, but I'm particular about what goes in. This time of year, the selection of macros for sale is limited. So, I plan next acquisitions and wait.

In v1, I planted a lot of macros at the same time as the grasses. The macros grew faster. I often wondered if it would have been better to have planted only the grasses, at first, to give them more focus (and nutrients). This time, I have more grasses and few macros. The grasses are growing faster. I'm very happy about that, but I wish I had a few more macros to compete with algae. Using ulva has worked well, both for nutrient uptake and shading. The two tiny red macros I have are no help at this point. The two reds from eBay didn't make it.

My second addition of pods should arrive Tuesday. They will be valuable crew members and a key food chain player. There are a few more detrivores and herbivores to add and then live rock. Lots more to come…

[vlangel]

I love your methodical approach this time around. I can really see where your experience in v1 has helped give you the patience and perseverance you need to see past the ugly stages to the vision beyond. Kudos to you, Michael.

[Michael Hoaster]

It's funny, I was thinking the same thing, Dawn! Having gone through all this before, I'm just not worried. I keep doing what I know I need to do, and I know it will work out fine.

I really like my vision for this tank. I've addressed all the issues that bugged me from v1, and I have a clear vision of what I want. I look forward to 'getting there' but I want to enjoy the journey (or the puzzle) and build a stable ecosystem that looks as good as it functions.

I appreciate the encouragement, Dawn!

[vlangel]

Originally Posted by Michael Hoaster

It's funny, I was thinking the same thing, Dawn! Having gone through all this before, I'm just not worried. I keep doing what I know I need to do, and I know it will work out fine.

I really like my vision for this tank. I've addressed all the issues that bugged me from v1, and I have a clear vision of what I want. I look forward to 'getting there' but I want to enjoy the journey (or the puzzle) and build a stable ecosystem that looks as good as it functions.

I appreciate the encouragement, Dawn!

You are welcome. I am enjoying the journey as well so thank you for documenting it for the rest of us.