What do you think?

I finally got a full tank shot and in looking at it, do you think I have too much rock? I think I might....it doesn't look like it, but there is good flow and spots between the rocks....also, notice the lack of coralline...still looking for make over advice. Corailline has already shared great advice - interested in thoughts....oh, and I've struggled with nitrates since I converted this tank from a FOWLR to a reef set up.

 

I think you are fine with the rock if you like the looks.

Lots of water changes, thorough and frequent cleanings of all equipment and sump to remove detritus. Use a turkey baster just before a water change to blow off detritus on the rocks.

 

I don't have a sump. I'm going to take my canister off.......is there no way to figure out something so I don't have to do frequent water changes?? I feel like I've come full circle in this journey, my original idea was to set up a system that wouldn't require lots of water changes...

 

I would say for starters for a couple of weeks to baste your rocks to get rid of as much detritus as possible. A GFO reactor will help you. Skim aggressively also.

 

Without a sump or fuge the best way that I know of is using biopellets which I know you have been trying.Your tank looks fine,it just may take patience and a little tweaking to get it how "you" would like it. I once converted from a fish only with high nitrates to reef and found it very hard to get the nitrates down with water changes until I drasticly reduced feeding while agressively doing the water changes.I know you would like to get the coraline growing and will happen once your parameters are good and stable.I noticed an increase when I started using red sea coral pro salt which has higher mg,cal, and alk levels than alot of the others.I've also heard/read that actinic lighting promotes coralline growth.

 

haven't seen your previous posts but this looks like a roughly 30 gallon or less tank?

I actually like the rock work you have, if you can insure a minimal water flow through the structure you have then in my opinion you should be good. you have no large fish that require swimming space so far (and keep it this way). so the more rock work you have the more natural filter in theory.

now if we can honestly help you further we need the basics (or at least i do)

how old a system
what light
gallons, my guess is 30?
livestock
aside live sand bed and rocks, filtering system including skimmer.

**and most importantly**

water changes are a must in saltwater,there is no system that can regenerate base elements for coral growth AND effectively eliminate the N03 build up. from what i know, a lot of soft corals absorb N03 but not enough to sustain even a basic domestic biotope.

my 2 cents

 

It's actually 54 gallons corner tank. I have 4 T5 lights....Rock and sand is about 15 years old..tank roughly 12....I am running a 405 fluval with GFO and phosguard (am looking to take this off-line).....Reef Octopus hang on skimmer 3 power heads..and am running biopellets (ecobak) in a TLF converted phos reactor....I know people have said that the sand could be leaching phosphates but I've tried vacuuming and there is literally no dirt that comes out, it's full of worm life

Live stock:
3 reef chromis
black ocellaris (just added another)
goby/pistol shrimp
lawnmower blenny
blue tuxedo urchin
several various CUC including hermits and snails

Just a few easy softies (xenia, mushrooms) tube worm and tube anemone. I do have a few ricordeas as well...that's it
oh, and unwittingly added a chili coral that I didn't realize was an NPS

 

Hmmm sounds in order in terms of light and filtering, do you use ro/di water? And NEVER disturb the sand bed thats actually how trapped toxins are released in the water column. It is strange that you don't have more coralline after 12 years... My advice is keep up with regular water changes though with the live stock you have I think you can get away with a 30% water change a month

 

I like your aquascaping. What is that clearish fish to the left in the photo?

 

Thank you fly! It's a lawnmower blenny that I'm a little concerned about it not eating enough...I think he looks skinny....