Basement Office with a View

[Gaspipe]

Clam: Dead, removed
Torch: removed (dead a while now)
Hammer: Really bad
Two of Three Acros seem dead.

3x a day ATO... failure.

Water was so low and salinity high.

I did a 3 gal water change, set salinity to 34.7 (34.6 goal) and will monitor multiple readings daily. Cleaned out the baffles, not sure if that limits the water flow into the return chamber.

Perhaps this "pillow stuffing" filter floss clogs up way to quick vs the two-tone white/blue pad I was originally using.

 

[Gaspipe]

@90's reefer

The newest updates are:

• I just switched from TM RP salt to Red Sea Coral Pro. I didn't like that Alk was low.
• I think I need to up my CuC as there have been some deaths and MIAs
• I stopped dosing Calkwasher
• I stopped testing
• The only thing I test is salinity due to the fact that when my filterfloss gets dirty the water in the return chamber drops. It's not too much of an issue but if away for a week it is.
• I use an AF when away more than 1 day and the tank seems to ge real dirty.
• I normally do a weekly WC of ~2.5G . I used to do 2 now trying to do 3 as I have GHA, minor BTA, I'm not sure if I have ich. I thought I did but perhaps the UV keeps it at bay.
• Still same 3 fish, Shrimp, hermit crabs and various snails

My plan of action is:

1. Order a new power head that you recommend. I would prefer something reasonable price (reason I bought the Jaebo) Used or New, I will follow your lead.
2. Sunday
   1. I will do a 3 gallon WC,
   2. test parameters I have and report back here.
3. Monday send out water sample for IPC testing (first time)

Is there something I should add or change? And thank you again for your much needed help!

-Gaspare

 

[X-37B]

@90's reefer

The newest updates are:

• I just switched from TM RP salt to Red Sea Coral Pro. I didn't like that Alk was low.
• I think I need to up my CuC as there have been some deaths and MIAs
• I stopped dosing Calkwasher
• I stopped testing
• The only thing I test is salinity due to the fact that when my filterfloss gets dirty the water in the return chamber drops. It's not too much of an issue but if away for a week it is.
• I use an AF when away more than 1 day and the tank seems to ge real dirty.
• I normally do a weekly WC of ~2.5G . I used to do 2 now trying to do 3 as I have GHA, minor BTA, I'm not sure if I have ich. I thought I did but perhaps the UV keeps it at bay.
• Still same 3 fish, Shrimp, hermit crabs and various snails

My plan of action is:

1. Order a new power head that you recommend. I would prefer something reasonable price (reason I bought the Jaebo) Used or New, I will follow your lead.
2. Sunday
   1. I will do a 3 gallon WC,
   2. test parameters I have and report back here.
3. Monday send out water sample for IPC testing (first time)

Is there something I should add or change? And thank you again for your much needed help!

-Gaspare

Jeabo ow-25 is a good size for your system.
You need stability to be successful.
Temp 80°+- 2°
Start with SG.
1.0265 +- .0005
Alk. I run 7+-.5
Ca 420-450
Mag 1300-1400
For above pic your range.
No3 <5
Po4 <.1

 

[Gaspipe]

I’ll order that shortly. (Jeabo ow-25).

can I control this OW25 and my current Jaebo 10 on one controller? Or not needed?

can both magnets be in the water? Will place similar to your location

 

[Gaspipe]

OW-40 will arrive tonight. Was $5 more, figured I can always turn it down. I’ll place it this weekend.

 

[Gaspipe]

@90's reefer can the “back” magnet stay in the water?

I assume your is. Thank you

 

[X-37B]

@90's reefer can the “back” magnet stay in the water?

I assume your is. Thank you

I use a Tunze magnet on the inside. The Jebao is not waterproof.

 

[Gaspipe]

Rule #1: If you ask @90's reefer for help, do what he says.

The OW-40 was a beast! The water have jumped out the tank on power 1. Ordered the OW-25, coming Tues.

Tmrw I will test all my parameters BEFORE I do anything else.

 

[Gaspipe]

@90's reefer

OK So I tested today, and the results are:

Salinity: 35.5 ppt (I am going to recal my Hanna Salinity Tester again after you tell me what to do)
Temp: 81.2
PO4: .02
NO3: 0.00
Ca: 400
dKH: 0.0???

*Regarding Alkalinity:

1. I tested my DT water twice. Both times registered 0.0
2. I tested my fresh batch of SW and again, 0.0
3. The test I am using is a Hanna Checker
4. I only used the solution 4x (not including today's 3x, for total of 7)
5. Exp. 03/2023
6. Last time I checked dDK was April 9th: 6.7
7. I do not have another Alk reagent on hand

I am thinking:

1. buying another reagent
2. the OW-25 is coming on tues

Water Change

• Should I perform a WC today?
  • If no, should I just get my salinity back to my target? (34.6ppt)
• Triton Lab IPC test
  • I have a kit at home. I can send it out Monday morning.
  • Please let me know when I should send it out and if it should be done before or after a WC.

I assume you want me to get more test kits, if yes please tell me which kits and your preferred kit. Doing nothing till your recommendation.

Again, thank you so much for your help!!!
-Gaspare

 

[X-37B]

Salt water can not have an alk of zero, so? Your ro/di shpuld be zero.
Get a Salifert alk test kit and use the low range 2ml with 2 drops.
This gives 200 tests for not much more than the hanna reagent costs. I have both and use Salifert 95% of the time.
What alk range do you plan on running?
I run 7 +- .5.

Target 35 or 1.0265+- .0005 so 1.026-1.027.
I use the TM floating hydrometer and a 500ml cylinder. Nothing to calibtate.

Get a salifert test kit for mag.
I only test ca and mag once a month.

No need for the Triton test yet.
For the test you need to know:
Alk
Ca
Mag
SG
No3
Po4

No WC until you have some stabilty to your system.

Test alk daily at the same time.
This will give you an idea of whats going on in your system.
It will also tell you you daily alk useage.

Going forward you need to focus on stability.
#1. Get alk stable. Same for SG.

Keep us informed. Also pics of your current system and equipment list for reference will help.

 

[Gaspipe]

Salt water can not have an alk of zero, so? Your ro/di shpuld be zero.
Get a Salifert alk test kit and use the low range 2ml with 2 drops.
This gibes 200 tests for not much more than the hanna reagent costs. I have both and use Salifert 95% of the time.
What alk range do you plan on running?
I run 7 +- .5.

If 7 works for you that is my goal as well.

Target 35 or 1.0265+- .0005 so 1.026-1.027.
I use the TM floating hydrometer and a 500ml cylinder. Nothing to calibtate.

LFS did not have the TM Floating. But I will order it this. I just recal my Hanna pen to 35ppt and retested. It's 35.7 and will get it to 35.00 now.

Get a salifert test kit for mag.
I only test ca and mag once a month.

No need for the Triton test yet.
For the test you need to know:
Alk
Ca
Mag
SG
No3
Po4

Understood

No WC until you have some stabilty to your system.

Test alk daily at the same time.
This will give you an idea of whats going on in your system.
It will also tell you you daily alk useage.

I will test daily this week and report here.

Going forward you need to focus on stability.
#1. Get alk stable. Same for SG.

Keep us informed. Also pics of your current system and equipment list for reference will help.

Will do post after this.

 

[Gaspipe]

@90's reefer

Corals

• UC Golden Dragon Lepto
  • I originally bought this to glue to glass.. Never grew, I moved it to a rock... started to get bad GHA so I dipped it in peroxide. Poor thing never recovered.
• Orange Ricordia doing very well, it almost split then seemed to have stopped.
• UC Senorita Blast
  • Doing very well, shares an island with zoas
• JF Brain Storm Goniastrea
  • It's nice and starting to encrust on the rock
• JF Funky Town Favia
  • Doing well, have it on the base under the "tree"
• JF Mass Destruction Favia
  • Doing well, encrusting, also on base under tree
• JF Rainbow Stylo
  • Doing great, prob the best grower I have
• RRC Spicy Lemon Favia
  • Also on base of "tree" doing great, really good growth
• WWC Jingle Bells Cyphastrea
  • Doing great on base of tree as well
• JF Groovy Goniastrea
  • Doing well, growing. Mine doesn't have the pinks the the pic showed when ordered
• JF Red Devil Acro
  • Not doing well, at best it was green. No growth. Seems detritus is going there
• RTA Carnage Micromussa
  • This poor thing is not doing well at ALL. Have tried moving it in few spots. Major shrinkage.
• Island with various Zoas and the Blasto mentioned.

Fish

• Black Ice Snowflake Clown
• Starcki Damsel
• Royal Gramma (can't believe I forgot this poor guy)

Inverts

• Red Line Cleaner shrimp
• About 10 Astraea and Trochus snails
• 3 blue legged hermit crabs
• 2 Bumble Bee snails
• 2 Turbo Snails
• 2 Top Crown Snails

 

[X-37B]

@90's reefer

Corals

• UC Golden Dragon Lepto
  • I originally bought this to glue to glass.. Never grew, I moved it to a rock... started to get bad GHA so I dipped it in peroxide. Poor thing never recovered.
• Orange Ricordia doing very well, it almost split then seemed to have stopped.
• UC Senorita Blast
  • Doing very well, shares an island with zoas
• JF Brain Storm Goniastrea
  • It's nice and starting to encrust on the rock
• JF Funky Town Favia
  • Doing well, have it on the base under the "tree"
• JF Mass Destruction Favia
  • Doing well, encrusting, also on base under tree
• JF Rainbow Stylo
  • Doing great, prob the best grower I have
• RRC Spicy Lemon Favia
  • Also on base of "tree" doing great, really good growth
• WWC Jingle Bells Cyphastrea
  • Doing great on base of tree as well
• JF Groovy Goniastrea
  • Doing well, growing. Mine doesn't have the pinks the the pic showed when ordered
• JF Red Devil Acro
  • Not doing well, at best it was green. No growth. Seems detritus is going there
• RTA Carnage Micromussa
  • This poor thing is not doing well at ALL. Have tried moving it in few spots. Major shrinkage.
• Island with various Zoas and the Blasto mentioned.

Fish

• Black Ice Snowflake Clown
• Starcki Damsel

Inverts

• Red Line Cleaner shrimp
• About 10 Astraea and Trochus snails
• 3 blue legged hermit crabs
• 2 Bumble Bee snails
• 2 Turbo Snails
• 2 Top Crown Snails

Nice!
So no additions until your system has been stabilized. Once you have parameters stable wait another 30 days before adding anything.
This will give you time to understand your systems demand.

How do you plan to maintain alk?

 

[Gaspipe]

@90's reefer

Equipment:

• A360WE Kessil light
• 2 24" AliExpress bars
• Sicce 1.0 return
• Sicce 1.5 pump for Aqua UV HOB
• Ink Bird
• AutoAQUA Smart ATO Nano

 

[Gaspipe]

Nice!
So no additions until your system has been stabilized. Once you have parameters stable wait another 30 days before adding anything.
This will give you time to understand your systems demand.

How do you plan to maintain alk?

In the past I have used a simple "gravity feed" drip system for Kalkwasser. I also have used banking powder to raise it.

I have no electric dosers.

What do you suggest? And what would you do if you were me.

 

[X-37B]

I dose all my systems by hand except the 80 with carx.
I do dose trace and strontium by hand in the 80.
If your home every day then thats an option and it keeps you intune with what your system is doing.
A doser is fine.

*You will need to dose by hand to start or setup some dosing system.*

At this point I would not use kalk.

I use ESV 2 part.

I dose the 20g nano at 10ml 2x a day.

My 45 frag system is 13ml 2x a day.

I also dose DSR EZ Trace daily.
I test K and set my daily trace based on K levels.
Current trace dose
20g 1.5ml
45 3ml
80 4ml

I also dose esv strontium 1x a week.
Thats my systems in a quick overview.

 

[X-37B]

Here is a cool end shot pic of my 120, if you like sticks, right before I took it down.

 

[Gaspipe]

I dose all my systems by hand except the 80 with carx.
I do dose trace and strontium by hand in the 80.
If your home every day then thats an option and it keeps you intune with what your system is doing.
A doser is fine.

I would not say I am home EVERYDAY but most. With summer coming to an end my time away for long weekends is coming to an end. So by hand is def an option for now.

*You will need to dose by hand to start or setup some dosing system.*

At this point I would not use kalk.

OK

I use ESV 2 part.

I dose the 20g nano at 10ml 2x a day.

My 45 frag system is 13ml 2x a day.

I also dose DSR EZ Trace daily.
I test K and set my daily trace based on K levels.
Current trace dose
20g 1.5ml
45 3ml
80 4ml

I also dose esv strontium 1x a week.
Thats my systems in a quick overview.

OK, so I will test Alk every day at Noon so we can determine the daily usage. From there we can determine what product I should dose.

Want me to order ESV 2 part and DSR EZ Trace and I can dose by hand as well?

Can you please provide a link so I know exactly which product?
I found ESV 2 Part but not so much on the DSR EZ Trace.

Thanks again!

 

[Gaspipe]

Here is a cool end shot pic of my 120, if you like sticks, right before I took it down.

Stunning tank! I think my Royal Gamma would feel comfy in there!

 

[X-37B]

I would not say I am home EVERYDAY but most. With summer coming to an end my time away for long weekends is coming to an end. So by hand is def an option for now.

OK

OK, so I will test Alk every day at Noon so we can determine the daily usage. From there we can determine what product I should dose.

Want me to order ESV 2 part and DSR EZ Trace and I can dose by hand as well?

Can you please provide a link so I know exactly which product?
I found ESV 2 Part but not so much on the DSR EZ Trace.

Thanks again!

Yes thats the 2 part I have used for over 6 years now. Good stuff, imo.
Dsr ez trace can be purchased from Deltec usa.

DSR - EZ Trace

Instant dosing of essential trace solution for daily use. Has Magnesium, Potassium, Sulphate, Boron, Iodine, and Manganese within.--Dosing is based on 50% of the EZ-Calcium consumption. Daily start dosing: 0.5ml / 100l. Maximal dosing 6ml / 100l About (DSR) Dutch Synthetic Reefing Founded by...

deltecdirectusa.com