Thread: ATXacrofarmer 215-gallon SPS tank

I'm not sure there was ever intent to not do water changes. I just listened to my tank and slowly I was able to go further between water changes until I was able to remove them entirely.

I consider myself a lazy reefer. Why do water changes at all if the two goals of water changes, nutrient reduction and replenishment of trace elements, can be achieved via other methods? Sure, I understand there are a myriad of elements that are not being replenished by the CaRX or amino acid dosing but whatever they may be, my old 125-gallon didn't require it for 3 years and my current 215-gallon hasn't required it yet either so far.

Am I delusional to think this might work forever? No, I feel like eventually there might be a trace element that will need to be added to the system... Something I can't test for and don't even realize the importance of until it is depleted... But until then, I'm pretty happy not doing water changes for a few more years. For the interim, I added an annual Triton test to monitor trends over the year. If I am deficient in something or have an over abundance of something else, I'll do a water change or dose if I see any issues with the tank. Otherwise, I'm going to assume that the deficiency or over abundance isn't significant.

Got your blue stag frag sir whenever you pop back into town.

Tank is maintained with a large skimmer, CaRX, biopellets, GFO, and carbon. I dose aminos about 2x/week and feed my fish like there's no tomorrow. I don't use filter socks, vacuum the sand, or even vacuum out the sump ever.

I test personally with my Hanna Meters for alk and phosphate. I use Red Sea for everything else, Nitrate, Ca, Mg, Iodine, and Potassium.

Originally Posted by Reefahholic

The power blues definitely seem very sensitive to ICH. If you do TTM correctly, you will not get ICH in your system unless it comes in on a snail shell or macro algae. That emperor angle is awesome. I really want one. Does he leave the coral alone.?

He will eat zoas like no other and will pick at some LPS. He'll leave euphyllias alone and only occasionally nips at my gonis. He will occasionally take a chunk out of my ORA Hawkins echinata and may nip an acro here or there but I have so many colonies and its so sporadic, it really doesn't do much damage at all. If you're getting a large angel, just expect to be making so concessions for keeping it.

I know of the Triton method and it's not for me. I only use it to monitor annual trends. I prefer my method as it's worked well for me with much less maintenance and definitely much less cost.

Originally Posted by Reefahholic

Can I buy a frag of that blue SPS from you?

I'm in Austin. If you are ever plan to be in the area, just PM me. If I ever head to Houston, I'll post a for sale thread with all my stuff I have available and can make one big frag selling trip out of it. Of course I'll pay for a membership at that point.