Ricky's Reef Corals

Monday, April 20, 2020

April Shots

Ricky's Poison Ivy

BC Kermit Song

BC Bonfire Table

BC Houdini

Jurnee's Unicorn

PC Superman Table

BC Pillow Talk

Tyree Azul Cielo

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

New ATI Instant Ocean Test Results

I submitted a new ICP test and recalibrated my refractometer with new solution from Brightwell. ATI is saying my salinity is 33ppt versus 35 ppt. What is frustrating is the new results with higher salinity show lower values of sodium, sulfur and potassium. I did let this new batch mix longer than my previous test which could be why the alkalinity dropped but it still makes me question the validity of their test results.

I also noticed my RO mixing tub is a source of silicon as my previous test results were taken from freshly made water from the RO/DI unit.

Some shots from today . . .

Hung's Grafting Rainbow Explosion

Ricky's Starftruit Multiacuta

Ricky's Strawberry Shortcake

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Instant Ocean Sea Salt

I submitted an ICP test for a 30 gallon mix of Instant Ocean sea salt. From the results Instant Ocean is low in Calcium, Potassium, Barium, Iodine, Molybdenum, and Manganese but is high in Tin.

RO Water Analysis

Sunday, March 15, 2020

Coral Woes

I am currently experiencing polyp retraction on a few of my acropora and the tissue looks as though it is thinner than usual. Some of the colors look less vibrant and two acro's RTNed on me. I am using Instant Ocean sea salt and I dose ESV B-Ionic two part as well as ESV Transition Elements. I perform 15% weekly water changes, I do not run carbon or GFO but I did add BRS ROX 0.8 carbon two weeks ago hoping it would help resolve the issue of the stressed corals. I tested my RO/DI water which comes out 0 TDS and 0 for free and total chlorine which also means 0 chloramines. My last ICP test showed elevated Bromine, Iodine, Lithium, Selenium and low Barium, Fluorine, Molybdenum and Manganese. Nitrates read 9 ppm and Phosphates read 0.05 ppm. My Salifert Nitrate test kit was reading between 10 and 25ppm and the Hanna ULR Checker was reading 0.12 ppm during this time. I dosed sodium nitrate and Seachem Phosphorus last night to bring my nutrient levels back up as I run alkalinity between 8.5 and 9.0 dKH and when I have better results with higher nutrient levels when running my tank at this level of alkalinity. I am continuing the perform water changes but this week I am going to perform two extra water changes. I am also dosing the depleted elements with ATI supplements. I removed the BRS ROX 0.8 carbon as well. I did check my powerheads, return pump and heaters for corrosion and found nothing. To my surprise some of the stressed corals are still growing but they do not have the usual vibrant colors or polyp extension. I am trying to get my tank back to how it was a few months ago and mimic those water parameters. Stay tuned for updates as I hope I can turn my tank around . . .

ASD Strawberry Lemonade

January 25, 2020