Daniel,
This is a terrific tank set up and lesson learn from your experience.
I really like the result you're getting from running those matrix. Although it may take 4-5months for the bacteria to colonize the surface of the matrix, the amount of good bacteria that can colonize is incredible and very beneficial to the tank.
When I went to Bryan house to see his set up, he was running the biofilter block from MarinePure and he got great result from it. I spent a lot of time reading up on it but I didn't want to change anything at the time since my tank was going well. But after more and more reading, it seems to not have any averse affect. This is pretty all natural.
I went ahead and ordered 28 liter of the MarinePure cube yesterday. Going to give the bacteria a head start on the current system before I transfer the tank into the bigger one.
http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/fi...marinepure-ceramic-biofilter-mp2c-media-cubes
I still want the Regal Angelfish and will try again once the upgrade tank is set up. It is a must have and something I have to have.
You have your Triggerfish fetish, I have my Angelfish fetish.
Haaa.... I have always heard or read that Angels are a high risk for a reef tank like yours. I have had already my Coral Beauty for more than a year, and touch wood, he/she is not touching any coral. From all the Angels is the lest risky. The same rational applies for Trigger Fish. I have a Niger and a Blue Line in the Fuge, like an experiment, with soft and LPS corals (non fancy corals) and they haven't touched anyone ..... yet.
Very interesting those Marine Pure cubes. In the picture looks like they are very porous. For sure they will do an excellent job. I will probably order some to add in the fuge, let see.
About the bacteria, When I added the Matrix and since them, I use BioDigest (Live Bacteria). There are many brands, but this one have very good reviews. I have read, that independently of what type of Media (rocks, Matrix, Siphorax MarinePure cubes, etc) you have in the tank to support bacteria growth, the bacteria population can shift, and that can change the way nutrients are processed. I do not have way to see if that is true or is juts Marketing to sell these "Live Bacteria suspension". But, nevertheless, and as a biologist, I think that can happens, so it do not hurt to add fresh bacterias from time to time.
My Main changes when I took the decision to move on, instead of trashing the tank, was:
- Adding the Fuge,
- The Matrix (could be other brand).
-The Bacterias.
I looked for "Simplicity" because I can not try any other method that will take more time to control due to my travels, but they are good too (GFO, Carbon dosing, etc). And I looked for "Stability". Decided for an Alk/Ca level, as well as for a P. and N. level, and kept it the more stable possible. As well as the husbandry routine.
Cheers
Daniel
