Basement Office with a View

Gaspipe · Sep 24, 2022

So timeline

9/24

12:30PM

Alkalinity: 6.7 dKH
Salinity: 35.0
Temp.: 79.1

12:35 PM

Dosed 2ml Part 1&2
Dosed 1ml Trace

3PM

Confirmed salinity with TM and spot on
Calcium 460 ppm
Magnesium 1425 ppm
Nitrates: 0.00 ppm
Phosphates .01 ppm

So as you see I was in a rush to get home and test Alk, after dosing I had more time to test other parameters. Could it be that my other parameters are a bit high b/c I just dosed? Next week I will make sure I test BEFORE dosing. I should have waited to dose. I messed up.

Seems 2ml Part 1&2, 1ml Trace daily is the answer. Will continue to test and monitor.

X-37B · Sep 24, 2022

Sou

Gaspipe said:
So timeline

9/24

12:30PM

Alkalinity: 6.7 dKH

Salinity: 35.0

Temp.: 79.1

12:35 PM

Dosed 2ml Part 1&2

Dosed 1ml Trace

3PM

Confirmed salinity with TM and spot on

Calcium 460 ppm

Magnesium 1425 ppm

Nitrates: 0.00 ppm

Phosphates .01 ppm

So as you see I was in a rush to get home and test Alk, after dosing I had more time to test other parameters. Could it be that my other parameters are a bit high b/c I just dosed? Next week I will make sure I test BEFORE dosing. I should have waited to dose. I messed up.

Seems 2ml Part 1&2, 1ml Trace daily is the answer. Will continue to test and monitor.

Sounds like a good plan.

Gaspipe · Sep 26, 2022

9/26

Alkalinity: 7.3
Salinity: 35.1
Temp.: 80.9

dosed:
2ml Part 1&2
1ml Trace

Gaspipe · Sep 27, 2022

9/27

Alkalinity: 6.7 dKH
Salinity: 34.9
Temp.: 79.9*

Dosed:
2 ML Part 1&2
1 ML Trace

Gaspipe · Sep 27, 2022

This weekend I will test all my parameters again.

Is there something I should do if my Ca, Mg and NO3 are not in check again as there were on Sept. 18th?

The GHA on the zoa garden disappeared 100%, the GHA on my "tree" LR seems to be worse. I noticed when my NO3 and PO4 were higher it seemed a lot better.

Thank you!

X-37B · Sep 27, 2022

Calcium can be adjusted if need with part 2.
If its high you stop for awhile depending on the numbers. If its low then add more.
Nothing to do about mag except WC with lower levels.
Just focus on alk at the present.
Hard to tell about no3 and po4 levels. What were they and what are they now?

Gaspipe · Sep 27, 2022

90's reefer said:
Calcium can be adjusted if need with part 2.
If its high you stop for awhile depending on the numbers. If its low then add more.
Nothing to do about mag except WC with lower levels.
Just focus on alk at the present.
Hard to tell about no3 and po4 levels. What were they and what are they now?

If you look at the log:

Sept. 18th I had great levels across the board. I think that was when my GHA started to recede. Perhaps I wasn't feeding enough/consistently.

I'm now trying to feed frozen twice a day. Also, I notice GHA increase when I auto feed w/ pellets. Trying to do that to a min.

Also, Sept. 17th we did a 2 gallon water change.

X-37B · Sep 27, 2022

Looked at log and your levels are fine. Feed more to bring up no3 but its fine at that level if you feed enough.
Again mag at 1425 is perfectly fine.

Focus on alk and keep it stable.
Ca will follow and mag also with both the 2 part and trace.

Gaspipe · Sep 30, 2022

Wed and Thur I was not able to test. But I have been able to spread dosing up to continue the daily 2ml Part 1&2 and 1ml Trace.

Today
Alkalinity: 7.0 dKH
Salinity 34.8 ppt
Temp.: 79.4*

Dosing as planned.

X-37B · Sep 30, 2022

Nice! Keep up the good work.

Gaspipe · Oct 1, 2022

So I decided to only posy measurements once a week as long as it's not out of wack, so I don't bore the thread and take too much of your time.

I also crosse referenced my Hanna salinity tester with the TM floater. All good.
Hanna: 35.0
TM: 1.0262 (converts to 34.9 ppt)

I also tested all my parameters BEFORE dosing.
My only concern is I need to get my nitrates up.

Perhaps 2/day frozen and once per day pellets?
Will does Part 1&2 2ml and Trace 1ml

X-37B · Oct 1, 2022

I use these when I want to adjust no3 and po4.
Just make sure you test levels.
Keep doing what your doing. Great job!

Gaspipe · Oct 1, 2022

Noted.
I would really prefer to do it in a more natural way (feed more, add a fish, adjust water change) etc.

But if I cannot get it in check, I may need to do that as well.

Gaspipe · Oct 7, 2022

@90's reefer I will be testing and posting all parameters this weekend.

I have been dosing as suggested 2ml Part 1&2, 1ml Trace everyday.

Think I'm ready to add coral? If you have a stocking list of suggestions, I would appreciate it.

TSA currently has a SALE on Goni/Alve/Pectina.

Thoughts?

X-37B · Oct 8, 2022

As long as parameters are stable and you know how to adjust when needed then yes.
Gonipora need a mature system and may not be a good starter choice.
Stocking list is personel so just make sure you only add 1 or 2 corals every 2 weeks or so to start.
Make sure you give any corals with sweepers some distance from other corals so they dont sting and kill each other.
Post a FTS too.

X-37B · Oct 8, 2022

Also remember to dip all incomming corals before putting them in your system. Make a habit of doing this with every piece no matter what!
I like Potassium Chloride at 3grams per liter. 5-10 minute dip works well.

Gaspipe · Oct 9, 2022

Well this is a bit of a disappointment.

Yesterday (Sat) I was in a rush and was only able to measure alkalinity, and it was 7.0 dKH. Perfect, dosed 2ml Part 1&2 and 1ml Trace as directed.

Today I was able to test all my parameters. All is within range EXCEPT Nitrates. I am using Hanna Nitrate HR and did the test twice. 1.1 ppm (1st test), 1.2 ppm (2nd test).

FYI:

I went from feeding 2x a day so (14x a week) to about 18-20 x a week (two or three times was pellets).
I also noticed snails would fall and not right themselves. I also lost 1 larger snail and I think a 2nd is on it's way out. (2 potential deaths).
My tank is due a WC next week 2 Gallons (10%)
I actually ordered frags on WWC R2R Sale
I manually pulled some GHA on the rear right branch, still there.

I have not dosed yet. @90's reefer
-should I dose?
-WC today?
-Feed 1x day for 3 days and retest?

Thank you!

Gaspipe · Oct 9, 2022

MoshJosh · Oct 9, 2022

Really like that branch scape! Are the piece on the left off the glass/over hanging? any pics prior to putting it in the tank?

EDIT: Found the picture earlier in the thread. . . my bad! Looks great!!!