Well I spent a few weeks removing the asterina by hand each morning, and I’m talking 50 at a time, so there were a lot in the system and this went on for a while. I have a very long pair of tweezers that reached in to get them.Shaun - How did your Harlequin Shrimp get on with the Asterina's?
I'm asking because my GSP is also struggling, with a few holes here and there. I cannot see any Asterina, but I think they are the most likely culprits.
Thanks Daniel for stopping by, and I completely agree with the feeding.I stopped measuring all those parameters a few years ago. I Only keep track of Alk for my sps. As it is a 2 part dose I do not measure Calcium.
Stability is prime for success. If you feed your tank always the same amount in the same frequency with small variation on the type of food, then you nutrients parameters will achieve an equilibrium. Corals will adapt to it. Could be some die. But those are not meant for your tank conditions. The others will drive healthy.
Chasing numbers is when we most affect that stability.
Of course, do not feed tons of food
Just adopt a system. For example, to my tanks (display and fuge) (I have fish and corals in both) I feed them every other day 3 frozen cubes on each one. I change the food type of the cubes (brine, mysis, blood worms), but always is 3 cubes on each tank. No food for corals. They feed from all that is in the tank and photosynthesis.
Just a tip from an old guy on the hobby.
Cheers
Daniel
Thanks Daniel for stopping by, and I completely agree with the feeding.
I still test for my own piece of mind as although the parameters are stable, I would sooner pick something up sooner and deal with it, rather than react to a situation.
I have about 8 different types of frozen Cubes with different additives, which I vary from day to day with 2-3 cubes, and then I feed a mixed portion of dry pellets, ocean nutrition in the early evening including a 50% mix of algae for the vegetarians.
I have gone from feeding Red Sea reef energy every day, to probably twice a week, if that, as the corals get sufficient food from the fish.
And your only as ‘old’ as you feel!
Very wise words Daniel and you toThank you !!!
We have to remember that we are trying to have corals from all different places that have different conditions (light, flow, nutrients, you mention it) . Yes, we keep our water as nearest as we can with the "Average Ocean Parameters". But a lagoon is different as deep ocean.... etc.
So, your tank will be different from all other tanks. Will be unique to "the best conditions that you can achieve, similar to real ocean condition " . When you let corals "adapt to your tank" you will see they are happy and healthy. No more issues.
So, set a way of feeding, cleaning, light schedule..... and keep that as constant as you can. Again, most corals will adapt and some will die.
Have a nice weekend!!
Daniel