★ 110 Gallon (In-Wall Office Dream SPS Reef Tank) ★ PROJECT GENESIS [Total Automation, DIY & More ]★

[WallyB]

Hmm.... Good Article Janci.

I will try those tests.

I think My Tank Falls into #3 (Not enough Airation), so will try your suggest AIR STONE IDEA (somehow get Air Pump to pull in Fresh Air).

But before I return the Ball Valve (which hasn't arrived. Will Tomorrow). I will try one thing.

Using the Motorized Ball Valve (only turn it on during LOW PH).

Maybe as shown in graph above, I can get PH Swing Reduced like the BLUE SHADING.

 

[Rakie]

I'd just use the thing non stop myself. Get that pH up to 9 !

 

[Janci]

Hmm.... Good Article Janci.

I will try those tests.

I think My Tank Falls into #3 (Not enough Airation), so will try your suggest AIR STONE IDEA (somehow get Air Pump to pull in Fresh Air).

But before I return the Ball Valve (which hasn't arrived. Will Tomorrow). I will try one thing.

Using the Motorized Ball Valve (only turn it on during LOW PH).

Maybe as shown in graph above, I can get PH Swing Reduced like the BLUE SHADING.

I am not sure how far you want to take pH up. Your pH swing is about 0.2, which is less than what many other reef tanks suffer.

Mine runs around the same levels and it does not bother me, nor the inhabitants (who have priority).
It used to be up to 8.2-8.3, but now dropped to between 7.9 till 8.15 -ish (and I have to calibrate the probe very soon)
I suppose this is the result of the tank and its system balance and the only inconvenience (if you can call it that way) is that I have to clean the glass every 2 days, instead of every 4 days.

It is very tempting to tinker with many values , but I honestly would not further mess with it.

 

[Rakie]

Mine swings from 8.2 to 8.0 at night. Could make a big difference if it were stable at 8.0, but hard to tell. Maybe overall it's not worse to swing between 8.0 and 8.2

 

[WallyB]

I am not sure how far you want to take pH up. Your pH swing is about 0.2, which is less than what many other reef tanks suffer.

Mine runs around the same levels and it does not bother me, nor the inhabitants (who have priority).
It used to be up to 8.2-8.3, but now dropped to between 7.9 till 8.15 -ish (and I have to calibrate the probe very soon)
I suppose this is the result of the tank and its system balance and the only inconvenience (if you can call it that way) is that I have to clean the glass every 2 days, instead of every 4 days.

It is very tempting to tinker with many values , but I honestly would not further mess with it.

I think I agree with you Janci.... on the Swing. 0.2 isn't bad at all.
The Graph looks like more of a swing since it's Expanded.
I'm pretty sure my swing is less then most reefers have since my Algae Scrubber Runs after Lights are out (which consumes CO2)

However it would be nice to swing at 8.1-8.3
I bet a tiny bit of Kalk Dripping (automatically via doser) MIGHT bring up my PH to that.

Kalk would also save me on A/B Dosing.....LATER when Coral FRAGS get bigger. (INSTEAD of needing a CO2 Reactor)
I DO FEAR DOING KALK till I fully understand it (and AUTOMATE it, with 100% Failsafe Logic)

This is all preparing for the Future (to be ready when the time comes), and not be caught off guard.

I JUST BETTER Not MUCK around TOO MUCH and Do Damage (or there will be no Future Colonies)....So will do my Kalk Testing in Frag Tank

 

[Rakie]

Wally, if you have seen Bubbaque's thread, he has quite a hefty SPS collection -- He runs a Calcium Reactor, and has a 20 gallon trashcan with fully saturated Kalkwasser, he doses 50mL every 8 minutes, 24/7! That still doesn't cover his top off needs either!

This is Randy's calculator, it tells you exactly how any amount of kalk will affect your water!

http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html

 

[WallyB]

COUPLE of UPdates ( Motor 3 Way Valve arrived, and New CaribSea Arch going UGLY)

So the Motorized 3 Way Valve arrived. I tested it. Perfect!!
It only consumes power for a brief 5-7 seconds, and once turned into position (no power). Same for reversed turn. Will be easy to automate via Apex or a mini relay.
The size of the Threaded couplers are perfect and screw into standard 1/4" PVC to hook up to Hoses and the TLF Co2 Scrubber.
Will I continue the project for CO2 Scrubber?
NOT SURE. Waiting for small Jar CDX of Soda Lime, to do one more trial on PH improvement.

So the New CaribSea Arch is going brown. Coming to Life.
I hate what I'm going to have to go thru since last arch stood out like a sore thumb for weeks.
But it's worth it, since the Arch is perfect to complete Rockscape and more Frag Space.

 

[WallyB]

Wally, if you have seen Bubbaque's thread, he has quite a hefty SPS collection -- He runs a Calcium Reactor, and has a 20 gallon trashcan with fully saturated Kalkwasser, he doses 50mL every 8 minutes, 24/7! That still doesn't cover his top off needs either!

This is Randy's calculator, it tells you exactly how any amount of kalk will affect your water!

http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html

Thanks @Rakie . I will get to the Kalk Reactor (on Frag Tank Trial) after dealing with my Neon Goby QT.

I got plenty of time till I reach Bubbaque's consumption levels. Look forward to that day. Or maybe not.

 

[Rakie]

Thanks @Rakie . I will get to the Kalk Reactor (on Frag Tank Trial) after dealing with my Neon Goby QT.

I got plenty of time till I reach Bubbaque's consumption levels. Look forward to that day. Or maybe not.

I'm pushing your restlessness towards things that can improve coral growth haha.

 

[Rakie]

pH is around 8.4-8.5 during the day now that I'm using kalk again. Seems pretty stable too during the day. Night is 8.0 - 8.1 pH.

 

[WallyB]

pH is around 8.4-8.5 during the day now that I'm using kalk again. Seems pretty stable too during the day. Night is 8.0 - 8.1 pH.

Nice.
I must get around to Doing Kalk.

HOWEVER MY FRAG TANK has been a TOTAL FLOP. Only thing that survived are Softies, almost all SPS Dead.

I expected nothing and got nothing since I just set it up, and let it Rot. No maintenance, no Dosing, no Water Testing. I even stopped doing Water changes from DT.

Algae grew, so I put in a Tuxedo Urchin and he polished it clean.

I really have no motivation of time to run 3 Setups.

Even Kalk isn't an option, since having 4-6 Frags isn't consuming Alk to justify KALK.

So I either get a pile of Frags into the Frag Tank, or Hook it up to DT.

 

[WallyB]

Neon Gobies in DT (Got Some Kind of Disease) Did Treament and TTM in Progress (ALL GOING WELL)

I had no time to post this on Thread, so here is a In-Progress Update.

@tenurepro and I got 4 Neon Gobies. Two each.
We thought they were bullet proof for ICH / Diseases. However they were put into QT at my place.

This is what one looked like at the Beginning of QT.

But after a Week they all go something that looked like ICH, but is was different. Kind of a Mucus (as if they were resisting something)

They developed some Spots/Scars.

They didn't behave sick (very active), and always eating very well.
Very nice fish and they started Pairing Up in QT. Affectionate toward each other.


We decided to start TTM and in First Tank did PraziPro Treament.
And FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER (I did Fresh Water Dip on all 4)

Right away they improved, with a tiny bit of MUCUS residue (seen at top, behind eyes).

and now they are in TTM Tank #2 ( All 4 Looking PERFECT)

The PHOTO above is a Keeper.
It sometimes took me like 30 photos to get One Goby to stand still long enough to get it in Focus and Snap a photo. Exhausting on my knees in front of the QT Tank.
All 4 in one Place and Fairly Focused is a MIRACULOUS Achievement!!!


Just goes to show how important QT is, even with the most Hardiest First.

 

[Rakie]

pH is around 8.4-8.5 during the day now that I'm using kalk again. Seems pretty stable too during the day. Night is 8.0 - 8.1 pH.

oops... I didn't realize I accidentally posted that here lol. That's what I get for posting instead of sleeping.

Anyways, fresh water dips are magic. Whatever is on your fish will not survive a freshwater dip. Doesn't matter if it's worms, bacteria, fungus, crabs, snails, starfish. FW destroys every SW invert existing. Even causes AEFW to rupture in like 5 seconds.

Whatever it was. FW dip starched it.

Here's the scary part -- Be ready to do another so whatever is 99% dead doesn't come back.

 

[NY_Caveman]

Neon Gobies in DT (Got Some Kind of Disease) Did Treament and TTM in Progress (ALL GOING WELL)

I had no time to post this on Thread, so here is a In-Progress Update.

@tenurepro and I got 4 Neon Gobies. Two each.
We thought they were bullet proof for ICH / Diseases. However they were put into QT at my place.

This is what one looked like at the Beginning of QT.

But after a Week they all go something that looked like ICH, but is was different. Kind of a Mucus (as if they were resisting something)

They developed some Spots/Scars.

They didn't behave sick (very active), and always eating very well.
Very nice fish and they started Pairing Up in QT. Affectionate toward each other.


We decided to start TTM and in First Tank did PraziPro Treament.
And FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER (I did Fresh Water Dip on all 4)

Right away they improved, with a tiny bit of MUCUS residue (seen at top, behind eyes).

and now they are in TTM Tank #2 ( All 4 Looking PERFECT)

The PHOTO above is a Keeper.
It sometimes took me like 30 photos to get One Goby to stand still long enough to get it in Focus and Snap a photo. Exhausting on my knees in front of the QT Tank.
All 4 in one Place and Fairly Focused is a MIRACULOUS Achievement!!!


Just goes to show how important QT is, even with the most Hardiest First.

The more that I look at these fish the more I want to take back my comment that they remind me of a freshwater fish. Looked a bit like a Tetra or an Otocinclus to me at first. Their behavior is pretty interesting though. I love how the one gives her friend a little cleaner kiss near the end when she circles back to him.

 

[Rakie]

The more that I look at these fish the more I want to take back my comment that they remind me of a freshwater fish. Looked a bit like a Tetra or an Otocinclus to me at first. Their behavior is pretty interesting though. I love how the one gives her friend a little cleaner kiss near the end when she circles back to him.

They're kinda darty, and they perch. You will often find them perching on the back wall as a cleaner station. Possibly because it's very visible... And partially to make you worry they're gonna get sucked down the overflow.

 

[WallyB]

The more that I look at these fish the more I want to take back my comment that they remind me of a freshwater fish. Looked a bit like a Tetra or an Otocinclus to me at first. Their behavior is pretty interesting though. I love how the one gives her friend a little cleaner kiss near the end when she circles back to him.

It funny. When I went to the LFS I totally Never noticed them (or ignored them). They had the Neons and the Yellow Line.
Both (captive bred) and came from ProAquatix (USA) https://www.proaquatix.com/gobies/

@tenurepro walked into the store to buy them since he saw the LFS Online add.
I decided to join in and also got two Neons since they are the cleaner types. The Yellow Gobies are not.

Now with watching them in QT they are the Most Fascinating Fish I've ever had. Because they really interact socially. They fought/chased at first and still do (a bit), but once the chase if over, it's pure love.

All my Fish School Attempts failed (Blue Green Chromis, and the Carryberry Anthias). My Pairs (like Wantabei Angels, Helfichi FireFire failed too).
What's Sad, is my Tanks have only Widows, Widowers or Orphans left.

Now with this experience, I will certainly consider the other Gobies from ProAquatix (Red Head, The Yellow Line, Tiger Goby, and Yellow Clown). (After these Neons go into DT)
For the tiny size, they take up near zero space, but pack a punch on Entertainment.

Now I see why @Rakie was recommending I get a bunch of Gobies for my DT.

 

[Rakie]

Gobies are social, especially the neon's. You will see them catching rides on your bigger fish to get around the tank, it's pretty awesome. You'll also see your larger fish go up for a cleaning. They're smart and relatively crafty too -- If he makes someone mad, rather than darting into the rock he's more likely to latch onto the biggest fish, knowing the other fish won't go and attack him as the big fish will fight back.

All of our fish have little personalities -- neons have little brains, and it shows in most of what they do. Amazing fish to watch!

Another fish you'll find with a lot of personality is a tail-spot blenny. Definitely a small blenny, but busy all day exploring and doing dopey stuff. They aren't aggressive but stand their ground, and they will graze on algae (some tangs don't like blennies because they see them as food competition)

 

[Rakie]

Don't get any clown goby, like the yellow clown goby. They perch in SPS and kill the part of the coral they want to live in. And whenever they wanna try a new branch, kiss it goodbye, they kill them intentionally. Guess they like the skeleton feeling rather than the slime feeling of the acropora skin.

 

[WallyB]

My RIP Frag Collection has just Grown ( SSC RTN ) Too Good to be True

It has been a long while since I lost a Frag.

The Strawberry Shortcake was really nice, and I had hope for it to be a Center Piece.

I noticed it bleaching from the Bottom yesterday, however when I looked thru the history photo's it's been bleaching slowly for weeks.

I cut it last night, and remounted. Today it rapidly died.

These are my LOST Frags since the Tank Started just over a year ago.
Most of them died in the early startup stage.

Lesson Learned (Two are SSC's).

All other Frags are doing fine.

 

[NY_Caveman]

Sorry you had to add to your collection.