Dry rock cycle

[Kschmez]

The soft coral coloration is for a different system that I use zeobak and a few other zeo products, not for this new system

[G.Alexander]

Than you might give it a try as mention before.

G.Alexander

[Kschmez]

Ok so my corals look like they're losing color. Pale. I added a few more fish to hopefully add some more nutrients. My tank has been running zeros for no3 and po4 since the start. Current dosing is the same mentioned previously. Should I start dosing anything else? My calcium is 440ppm, alk is 7.22ppm, mag is 1350ppm, my potassium test kit comes tomorrow in the mail so I'll know that number as soon as I get that and test it. Just don't want to lose anything if they continue to get pale.

[Kschmez]

Alk is 7.22 dkh*** not ppm haha

[G.Alexander]

The system is 4 weeks old and was started with dry rock, at this stage you can not expect perfect coloration as there is still a big leak of biology which is very important for coral coloration.

Lets first wait for the K+ test result but I expect just time will fix it.

If you like to experiment with additives you can try to dose XTra @ 1 ml / 25 US gallons 2- 3 x weekly for example if you do not observe additional algae growth with it but I expect it will not rally help.

G.Alexander

[Kschmez]

Ok thanks! I'll keep you posted. I have a handful of sps and lps coral in there now. Should I wait to add more or would that not be a factor?

[Kschmez]

Test kit came and looks like my potassium is a bit low. I'm testing at 300mg/l.

[G.Alexander]

Lets increase the K+ level slowly to ~ 380 mg. As long as the corals are growing it should be fine to add additional not to delicate corals but it is a higher risk than doing this later when the biology is stabile.

G.Alexander

[Kschmez]

Thanks, I'll let you know how everything goes, i picked up some K-balance Strong so bring levels up.

[Kschmez]

Tomorrow I change the zeovit stones for the first time. I tested my nitrates and phosphates today, nitrates still read 0, but my phosphates went up to 0.04ppm. I'm guessing this is normal because the stones are expiring, thus the reason for the exchange. But wanted to double check. Also, I'm wondering if adding zeobac 2 times a week is enough, or if i should jump to 3 times a week? And if there would be a reason for one or the other? Obviously after i change the stones itll be added daily for 10 days.

[G.Alexander]

Just replace 50% of the material for the first time, later exchanges are 90%. After each exchange dose ZeoBac daily for 10 days, than 2 x weekly as usual. Next exchange will be in 4 additional weeks, further exchanges can be lengthen to 6 – 8 weeks depending to the nutrient concentrations. Some kind of nutrient up / down for such a fresh system is normal, no worry.

G.Alexander

[Kschmez]

My torches have been retracted since I put them in a few weeks ago, is that them acclimating to the zeovit or should I be doing something else? I know the systems new but is it going to kill them?

[G.Alexander]

Any other corals in the system already showing issues ?

G.Alexander

[Kschmez]

No. Only have 2 zoa frags in the tank but they werent looking good before I put them in so theyve stayed the same. Sps seem good. Polyp extension is good on them and even at night. Unfortunately I don't have a PAR reader but I'm going to trying raising my lights to see if it's a light issue.

[Kschmez]

Thinking it was a light issue. But I changed 50% of my stones yesterday, and today I'm seeing algae popping up on the glass and rocks, is this normal? I'm sure it has to take a few days for the new stones to get established