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Test the Un-testable One core challenge of reefing is to simultaneously provide (inorganic) nutrient poor water, while provide ample nutrition for reef animals. Nutrition poor water, that's easier to test and manage. With competent range of test kits available, we can have a good grasp of the (inorganic) nutrient level in the aquarium. Should the level deviate from our preference, there are many ways to correct the problem. Nutrition, however, is a much greater mystery. Other than when we add food into the aquarium, we know precious little about amount of available food in the system. How long does the added food last in the aquarium? Does the animals only get to feed for 30 minute a day? If we can answer these questions, then we can confidently keep nitrate and phosphate at near zero levels, while ensure different type of corals can thrive. Turns out, we can test it. The Organic Test The test kit in question is not made by any commercial vendors, but nature itself. Sea fans. Sea fans are non-photosynthetic, and rely on capturing planktonic preys from the water column. In the presence of suitable food, the polyps extends rapidly. When the food becomes scarce, the polyps retracts. The contrast is obvious, and the response is rapid. In my aquarium, zeostones are agitated every hour to dislodge mulms for export and feeding. When that happens, within a minute or two, these sea fans will have their polyps fully extended. They remain this way for about 45 minutes, before the polyps started to retract. Until the zeostone gets churned again, and the cycle repeats itself. So I would infer that in my aquarium, corals have useful amount of nutrients 45/60 of the time. This also tell me that corals can get significant amount of energy need from feeding. Then I will have the confidence to drive nutrient even lower. Spider sponge showed some growth. Hopefully it confirms the good level of food in my reef. Use filter feeders as test for nutrition. What do you think?

Update on what's left 1) Purple tang (have slight HLLE due to activated carbon, recovering well from eating seaweed soaked in selcon & Vitachem) 3"~ $140 2) Blackice snowflake clownfish pair 1.5 - 2~ $150 3) Flameback angelfish 2"~ does not nip/eat at LPS/zoas at all, occasionally will nip at SPS but no damange done $60 4) Flame hawk 2"~ $60 5) Blue throat wrasse 3" $30

Hey Darren! That’s something I did not consider actually! Been focus on reducing the number of pumps and I did not consider this. Maybe I can add in a new tee on one of the return pipes, but probably have to think through on the back flow issues to be safe. Perhaps for now, I try to direct the outlet towards my secondary return pump inlet instead haha. The only way that I am trying is pulling air from outside cabinet direct to skimmer. I am also considering CO2 scrubber but long term media cost is also something to think about. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Managed to find some nice pieces of rocks to scape the tank. Thinking if I should do a bare bottom tank for easier maintenance.

Day 265 (27/9/20) Water Test (Ave) PH (8.3); NH3 (0); NO2 (0); NO3 (10); PO4 (<0.1); Temp (28.8); Salinity (1.023) Saw a small nice pink scoly ($150) while buying the emerald crab. So tempting and without further consideration bought it. (my most expensive coral to date)

I find that the branded gear is about 10 to 20% more expensive in the UK then what we can get here in Singapore... for example a Vectra L2 is sgd699 locally whilst in the uk it is equivalent to 805! Germany I find is the cheapest place in Europe to buy gear. However, in the USA goods do appear cheaper as an L2 is just 633sgd. I dont see any Chinese brands being much cheaper. One benefit of Singapore is that it also has a healthy secondhand reefing market thanks to apps like this one Further UK is also expensive for livestock... I read a post on a UK facebook forum complaining that Yellow Tangs were being priced ridiculously at GBP400+ (750sgd)... so count your blessings hahaha.

Update on what's left: A1: Morphed fruit loops zoas colony (skirting turned green) $30 A2: Scrambled egg colony $30 A4 Goblin on fire $30 A9: Fruit loops ~3 polyps $10 A14: Mini red hornet ~3 polyps $20 A16: Rasta $10 A17: Purple monster colony $45 A18: Bowtie Blaster ~8 polyps $20 A20: Candy Apple Red ~2 polyps $20 A23: Speckled Krakatoa ~2 polyps $30 A25 :Speckled Krakatoa ~2 polyps $30 A26: Purple monster ~7 polyps $20 A27: Purple monster >10 polyps $30 A28: Purple monster >10 polyps $20 A32: Pink Zoas colony $20 B1: Light pink goniopora $30 B2: Light pink goniopora $30 B3: UFO Chalices 6-7 eyes $100 B5: Orange chalice $20 B6: Red acan $20 B7: Red acan $30 B8: Red acan $25 B9: Red/blue acan $25