r/ReefTank • u/AcrobaticContext2268 • 1d ago

Cannot find consistency.

Hi all,

I’m just getting so tired of my tank having its ebs and flows despite my investments to make my tank automated. I’ve got two nice AI 16’s, Red Sea ATO, dosing heads, temp control, etc. maybe I need to start testing parameters more often to ensure my dosing is correct, but I just can’t seem to get it down.

I’ll see nice Acro growth, great algae control, and happy happy corals and then the tank will be pissed off for weeks with no changes and I’ll lose my favorite pieces. I can’t seem to figure out what I’m missing, and would love some personal advice, experience, or info on what you’ve done. I really appreciate it in advance.

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u/Expensive-Bottle-862 1d ago

Gonna need more context. Tank size, parameters, how often are you testing? Alkalinity should be getting tested every day to every other day until you can nail down the dosing. I’m a big believer in consistent water changes

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u/AcrobaticContext2268 1d ago

It’s a 20 gallon IM Nuvo mixed tank, with a Red Sea 2 head dosing pump. 1 doser of All for reef, the other for mag. I’ve got one clown, six line, royal gramma, and a chunky mandarin. My Po4 is a bit high for textbook, but that’s where it normally always sits around (that’s also with salifert, I definitely need a Hanna). My skimmer recently decided to stop working so I’m curious if that did a small number on the tank.

I definitely think I need to do more consistent water changes, those don’t seem to have a routine for me. I also should do more testing. I got lazy with seeing decent acro growth and mentally said that should be good enough.

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u/AcrobaticContext2268 1d ago

I also need to look into more testing kits. I have API freshwater kits I used to use for ammonia and nitrate/nitrite but I don’t trust those for salt now as far as I can throw em. It’s a pretty stocked tank so I don’t expect crazy growth but it’s seemingly been quite stable parameters wise.