Even though people think that keeping a reef tank is a difficult challenge, the big secret is that it is actually very easy. The most important way to care for a reef tank is to observe it every day. If you pay attention to your tank and understand its needs, you will notice potential problems as they start to develop. Addressing these issues as soon as you see them will prevent big headaches down the line. Understanding how the variables such as waterflow, light, position, salinity and temperature effect the reef inhabitants is crucial. A slight correction can make a sad looking coral thrive.
The only additive I put in the tank is Kalkwasser (Calcium Hydroxide). I mix a bit with fresh R/O water and use it to replace the water that evaporates from the tank. This helps maintain high calcium and
alkalinity. Since it has a very high pH, I fabricated a "high tech" system to slowly drip the solution into my tank every morning.
A good cleanup crew is essential for eating algae and detritus and keeping the sand bed groomed. I have Astrea, Certh and Nerite snails and 2 small blue legged hermit crabs. I have only scraped the front glass once and I added a few more snails when they were needed.
 |
| This Certh snail likes to hang out under the sand. |
I am most excited about Super Glue Gel. It does a great job under water and has quickly secured several small frags exactly where I want them. I also use underwater epoxy to secure larger pieces.
 |
| These particular polyps were opening after my first experience with Super Glue Gel. Unfortunately, the rock got overturned when I was on vacation and the polyps did not make it. |
To get rid of Aiptasia anemones people
highly recommend Aiptasia-X. Before I purchased an entire bottle for one Aiptasia, I tried a trick I found online. I got an insulin syringe and filled it with a mixture of Kalkwasser and water. After a quick injection I have not seen another Aiptasia in the tank.
I did my first 1 gallon water change after 29 days and I plan to do one every week or so. I do not sift the sand when I do a water change, but when I add the new water to the tank, I try to blow accumulated detritus off the rocks. The corals love the micro-nutrients after a water change and are always fully open and spectacular then next day.
-JFW
I am so glad that my tank, Bonsai, is happy and thriving again. For almost 2 months, I have been trying to control Cyanobacteria bacteria (red slime algae) that was trying bloom and ruin the tank. Traces of Cyanobacteria are always present in a reef tank, but excess nutrients or improper lighting can cause a bloom that will quickly overtake and destroy a tank. At first the red slime was noticeable just under the sand bed. I tolerated that until it started to creep up the tank wall and eventually a little spot on the sand. I reduced the lighting and tried to carefully siphon out the colony without causing it to further disperse and multiply. That did not work. Every day it would grow a little more. My red legged hermit crabs were occasionally attacking my snails for their shells. I tried to remove the dead snails as quickly as possible, but I suspected that the extra nutrients from a dead snail could be the cause of the problem. I removed the the crabs, but the Cyanobacteria spots kept growing. So far, no corals were affected, but I felt pressure to resolve this before everything became smothered by red slime. Even though I was doing extra water changes, the Cyanobacteria kept growing. I realized, that I better check the quality of my fresh water. I was using "RO" water from the grocery store. I tested that water and lo and behold, it was loaded with Phosphates! Problem identified. I changed my water source to true Kent Marine RO water. After one dose of Chemiclean and two 20% water changes with pure RO water and Tropic Marin salt, I have not seen a trace of Cyanobacteria for two weeks. I am sure the battle is not over, but I feel a lot more confident that I can prevent this problem in the future.
