Fungia Plate

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Re: Fungia Plate

Postby chris&barb » Sun Aug 02, 2009 6:43 am

I can see the brown spots your talking about but thats about it. While your working on getting the nitrates down try the Revive dip again. You said the coral looked better after the last dip right?
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Re: Fungia Plate

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Re: Fungia Plate

Postby fishchef » Sun Aug 02, 2009 7:11 am

When I did the dip in ReVive the underside of the coral is slightly discolored. No snails, sponges, just some of those little starfish. From the pics it looks like some red algae has set in on the surface. It has also been suggested that I do some dips in Hydrogen Peroxide/tank water. No refugium here. I have learned a lot in the past year about my skimmer. Its way old, but it does need a lot of adjustment to produce. With some additional partials I may be able to get those nitrates down. As for the coral only time will tell. It did look better shortly after the first dip about a month ago.
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Re: Fungia Plate

Postby chris&barb » Sun Aug 02, 2009 7:22 am

It has also been suggested that I do some dips in Hydrogen Peroxide/tank water.


That is not a good idea.
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Re: Fungia Plate

Postby fishchef » Sun Aug 02, 2009 7:34 am

I'm always cautious about such things. I didn't like the idea either concerning the peroxide. The ReVive seems pretty safe and organic.
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Re: Fungia Plate

Postby roadking1 » Sun Aug 02, 2009 11:42 am

If you are interested in a new skimmer talk to Luke he is a member also,check out his site




http://www.shop.reeffiltration.com/main ... cstrfrnt03
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Re: Fungia Plate

Postby skinz78 » Wed Aug 05, 2009 8:29 pm

I wonder if this has anything to do with your elegance too?
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Re: Fungia Plate

Postby fishchef » Thu Aug 06, 2009 12:05 pm

Hmmm...thought that elegance could take a higher nitrate level. I've started some water partials and we'll see if I can get it down. I was looking into sulfur reactors and the word experimental keeps coming up. Even some of the manufactuers say not to put them on a largely populated system that's been set-up for a while.
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Re: Fungia Plate

Postby chris&barb » Thu Aug 06, 2009 2:56 pm

Ive never messed with denitraters. I think water changes and cutting back on food are about your only options unless you want to mess with bacteria.
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Re: Fungia Plate

Postby fishchef » Mon Aug 17, 2009 7:38 pm

Well, time has passed and the plate...well looks awful. I am on a regiment of partials and I've done 2 -20% about a week apart. The reading looks lower, but with the Salifert test the lower readings are difficult to compare. Its certainly under 25ppm. You mentioned bacteria and one of our local gurus likes Brightwell Microbacter7. It reads good and certainly sounds less problematic than NZNO3. Vodka dosing sounds odd. Any experience with Brightwell?
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Re: Fungia Plate

Postby skinz78 » Mon Aug 17, 2009 9:00 pm

I havn't ever heard of it, I did a Google search and this is what I found:

Overview:
# Complex system of non-pathogenic aerobic and anaerobic microbes, as well as natural enzymes, specifically formulated to establish biological filtration in new aquarium set-ups, and to enhance the rate of nitrification, denitrification, and organic waste degradation in marine and freshwater aquaria through complete nutrient remineralization.
# Benefits are:

1. Rapid reduction of organic carbon, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and phosphate.
2. Digestion of uneaten/undigested food, excreta, detritus, and other latent organic material, resulting in cleaner and healthier aquarium substrate (without having to physically clean or disturb the substrate bed).
3. Reduction of organic compounds into nutrients that encourage the growth of photosynthetic organisms (e.g. zooxanthellae, macroalgae, plants).
4. Greatly-reduced hydrogen sulfide production.
5. Increase in dissolved oxygen concentration.
6. Limits availability of pre-existing phosphate to undesirable forms of algae and cyanobacteria.
7. Increased water clarity.

# Supplied in a state of suspended animation for maximum longevity.
# Formulated utilizing extensive data compiled by microbiologists.


Technical Background
The concentration of dissolved and particulate organic materials in any aquatic environment can have a significant impact on the overall appearance of, as well as the health of organisms residing within, that system. Relatively low-nutrient environments are characterized by high water clarity, lack of unpleasant odors, and absence of microalgae and cyanobacteria; this is collectively a result of the lack of nitrogen-, phosphorus-, and carbon-based waste available. Aquaria that are relatively rich in available nutrients have characteristics opposite to the afore-mentioned, and are typically not desirable because of the resultant appearance of the system and the difficulty of maintaining healthy aquarium inhabitants.
Brightwell Aquatics MicroBacter7 is a selective complex of extremely effective microbes and enzymes that rapidly reduces the concentrations of organic nitrogen, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, and organic carbon in all marine and freshwater ecosystems, leading to greatly improved water quality; better water quality typically leads to healthier aquarium inhabitants. MicroBacter7 does not require refrigeration, however storage in a cool, shaded area will prolong the activity, and maximize the shelf-life, of the product.

Instructions and Guidelines:
Shake product well before using. Mix appropriate volume of MicroBacter7 (see below) with 250-ml (~8 fl. oz.) of aquarium water in a clean container prior to addition to aquarium. If using a pipette to dispense MicroBacter7 below water level of container or aquarium, be sure to thoroughly clean pipette with fresh water prior to placing tube back into MicroBacter7 bottle; failure to do so will contaminate the product. Best results may be obtained by adding mixture to external biological filtration system (if applicable). Do not add to pump intake port(s). For best results, use within 1-year of purchase date. Grossly overdosing MicroBacter7 will not significantly increase the effectiveness of the product, nor the rate at which it enacts changes in aquaria. The following recommendations are based upon extensive testing and will produce the best results in most aquaria.

Medium- to High-nutrient Systems, or to seed Biological Filtration in new aquaria: To effectively decrease the concentration of available nutrients and waste material in all marine and freshwater aquaria, add 5 ml (1 capful) per 25 US-gallons (94.6 L) [˜4 drops per gallon (3.8 L)] of aquarium water daily for the first two weeks of use; the impact that MicroBacter7 has on an aquarium is most evident within this period. Turn protein skimming and UV-sterilization off for a period of 4 hours following addition to aquaria. A noticeable difference in water clarity is typically apparent within 30-minutes of dosing. Follow same instructions for new aquarium start-up. Thereafter, switch to “low-nutrient” dosage (below).

Stable, Low-nutrient Systems: To maintain a low concentration of available nutrients in all marine and freshwater aquaria, 5 ml (1 capful) of MicroBacter7 per 50 US-gallons (189.3 L) [˜2 drops per gallon (3.8 L)] of aquarium water no more than once each week; alternately, add 1 drop per 50 US-gallons daily (or 1 drop per 25 US-gallons every other day). Turn protein skimming and UV-sterilization off for a period of 4 hours following addition to aquaria. Dosage may be adjusted according to perceived benefit to aquarium, however it is recommended that the dosage not exceed 1 drop per 10 US-gallons per day. With time, hobbyists may determine that decreasing the dosage and/or dosing frequency by up to 50% sufficiently maintains a low-nutrient environment. During changes in biological filtration or when increasing the aquarium bioload, dose 1 drop per 25 US-gallons daily for one week, then resume “low-nutrient” dosage.

Caution:
Keep out of reach of children. Not for human consumption.

Ingredients:
Purified water, proprietary blend of natural enzymes and non-pathogenic, beneficial microorganisms.


It looks and sounds good but it is spendy. I wonder if it is similar in cost as vodka dosing?

But I am interested in your findings, if it works good for you I would like to try it as well.
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Re: Fungia Plate

Postby chris&barb » Tue Aug 18, 2009 8:10 am

MB7 is bacteria. Adding it by its self wont do much IMO. I would think you would have to add a whole bunch to lower nitrates. The idea behind it is that the bacteria will consume nitrates, phosphates and organic carbon from the water and then your skimmer will skim out the nutrient loaded bacteria. The problem with just adding the bacteria all by its self is that the bacteria uptake nitrates, phosphates and carbon in a specific ratio (Redfield ratio) . We already have plenty of nitrates and phosphates in our systems but we dont have enough carbon. This is why people add vodka, sugar or vinegar. The vodka is a carbon source and by adding it the bacteria now has the third component it needs to be able to consume the available nitrogen and phosphates. The AZNO3 is just sugar AFIK.
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Re: Fungia Plate

Postby fishchef » Tue Aug 18, 2009 5:46 pm

I guess MB7 seems expensive, but that depends on the vodka you drink. I like Belvedere and I wouldn't put it in my fish tank. MB7 sounds like something I used when setting up the system. Nitrates have dropped with the partials, but have the potion on the way. Good buys on the internet. 500ml for 18 with shipping. If I can get NO down to a lower value with partials I may start with the low nutrient procedure. The gentleman that recommended it is on the tech team on WWM. I do feel that it may be the part of the solution on the long term. Also I've been searching for a way to adapt my skimmer input so that it will draw from the surface. I do get some organic film.
It was a suggestion from another source, but no results yet.
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Re: Fungia Plate

Postby fishchef » Tue Sep 01, 2009 6:31 pm

Well, I've been using MB7 about 9 days now. Prior to use and during dosing I've done 3 -20% water changes a week apart and I've been careful with feedings of all life. I've got my old skimmer tuned up and I've had surprising results. I was running about 25ppm on NO3 and now it tests at about 10/15ppm. The lower ranges on Salifert can be hard to read. I'm going to switch to the lower nutrient method before the two suggested weeks are up and see what happens. Brightwell suggests using their Bio-fuel for a carbon source at this time or when it seems that NO3 readings level out. However my corals seem to flourish now and I'm cautious. I have a green tipped acro frag that seems to be responding lately.
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Re: Fungia Plate

Postby skinz78 » Tue Sep 01, 2009 9:43 pm

That is great news, keep us updated. I am very interested in your findings. :hello:
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Re: Fungia Plate

Postby fishchef » Sat Sep 05, 2009 5:26 pm

I was running some tests today and I got about the same value on NO3 below 25ppm. My dKH was 8 and ph was around 7.8 earlier in the morning. Curious about these readings and since these Salifert kits are pushing about a year, thought I'd have a LFS do a comparison. Basically he got the same, but with their API test kit he got a 10ppm on NO3 on the second try. Salifert can be hard to read in the lower ranges and I use an API on ph and it can be as difficult. So after 11 days using MB7 I'm pleased with the outcome. Half the doseage or less is recommended on a weekly basis from here on out and I'm going to dose when I do any kind of partial/filter maintanence.
By the way I'm seeing more Brightwell products in Misouri lately.
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