A Tale of Two Tanks (1 Viewer)

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It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.

These two 55G tanks were initially set up two years ago to process 200bs of diver collected live rock. Top tank was set up first with a reverse flow plenum with sandbed to to be a powerful nitrification filter performing oxidation chemistry similar to fluidized sand filter. Shipment of live rock arrived early and I spread 1” of aroggonite substrate on bottom tank. After 3 months, I disassembled bottom tank. Three months ago, I set up bottom tank to sanitize liverock of Aptasia and to add eye candy to live rock making it an ecosystem to itself. Now top 55G is 2 years set up and bottom tank is 3 months mature.

Yesterday was was stellar in both tanks. At 4:30 am, I saw this;

 

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Not much has changed in four hours. I added more circulation and an air pump. Fifty gallons of water in mixing barrel to perform 50% water change, at which time activated carbon media will be added to HOB.

 

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At 2:15 pm water has cleared up enough to see back glass and I don’t see an obvious cause. I assumed the fastest growing macro, Caulerpa Paspoides, went sexual because in 30G Caribbean mixed garden of ornamental seaweeds, it totally disintegrated with DOC going into the other seaweeds in the tank.

I see evidence of deterioration of Sargassum hystrix with branches breaking off from main structure.

Marine Plants in the Aquarium

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“Most anchored varieties have a very sturdy, thick upright, that is able to securely anchor itself in very turbulent environments. In the aquarium they require bright lighting and moderate to high flow rates for optimal growth”

 

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Top 55g tank at 2 years set up has grown into a fun tank to maintain with more delicate filter feeders: two deep water NPS gorgonians, one flame scallop and two photosynthetic sponges. Biofiltration includes cryptic sponges in high flow cannister filter and cryptic sponges in plenum with high flow up thru gravel with oxygen rich water to perform nitrification chemistry. Bacteria and cryptic sponges complete there job of biochemistry in the dark. Algae is the third leg of biochemistry in this ecosystem, including coral with zooanthellia.

 

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Both of these tanks will need to be moved in the near future to allow sheetrock and in wall electrical work. I will disassemble the bottom tank and and for a few days, move the the whole stand in front of fireplace to allow for the upgrade which will include window replacement.

For now, I am playing with it.

This morning, in bottom 55, I can see three seperate problem areas:

The fast growing Caulerpa Paspoides shows numerous fronds beginning to disintegrate. Seaweed going sexual is a survival technique in which seaweed spreads its spores to grow again. This often happens when fast growing seaweeds are nutrient limited while subjected to high lighting.

Fast growing Sargassum hysteric that was attached to bottom is breaking up in large branchs. I have never successfully grown any Sargsssum and am still hopeful to grow this beautiful brown seaweed as it undulates in the current.

The third problem is an invasive black Cynobacteria, which is in aquifer well water. I first isolated this Cyanobacteria 2 years ago in phytoplankton culture, when harvesting frequency was cut in half for double density. It was somewhat stringy in culture vessel. After some input from European reefers, it was identified.

With only one fish, I know this tank is N limited as I have been holding it up by dosing 10 ml of ammonia twice a day during photosynthesis.

Corrective action in last 24 hours:
Increased circulation
Added air pump
Replaced activated carbon media in HOB filter
Performed 50% water change
Increased ammonia dose to 20 ml twice a day during peak photosynthesis.

 

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Top 55G is low light which suits Bortacladia (red) and NPS Gorgonion (yellow) as well as red ornamental tree sponge. Recently added is a blue photosynthetic sponge that is very large and growing fast. Also added was a frag of red photosynthetic sponge.

 

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Now it is apparent that fast growing Caulerpa Paspoides went sexual in one large mass, on top of GSP rock.

I will remove disintegrating macro and holdfast from rock.