My 90 Gal mixed reef from start to finish

[FishGuyBri]

So I added a CO2 scrubber because my ph stays around 7.4 and so far it hasn't come up. How long do they take to work after hooking them up to the skimmer? I am sure it's a CO2 issue because with the windows open my ph comes up to 8 within about 20 minutes. Trying to see if I have this think hooked up backwards or something...?

 

[bfsaunde]

So I added a CO2 scrubber because my ph stays around 7.4 and so far it hasn't come up. How long do they take to work after hooking them up to the skimmer? I am sure it's a CO2 issue because with the windows open my ph comes up to 8 within about 20 minutes. Trying to see if I have this think hooked up backwards or something...?

Output should be connected to skimmer airline. Mine takes about 30 minutes to an hour to start moving up. Then over a few hours it usually peaks at 8.45

 

[FishGuyBri]

Output should be connected to skimmer airline. Mine takes about 30 minutes to an hour to start moving up. Then over a few hours it usually peaks at 8.45

Well dang it's hooked up right- but still only 7.6 three hours later.

 

[bfsaunde]

Well dang it's hooked up right- but still only 7.6 three hours later.

Well, I do already have some coral in the tank and algae converting some of the CO2 in the system. I don't usually let it drop below 8 before swapping the media. Have you had a chance to calibrate your pH probe yet?

 

[FishGuyBri]

Well, I do already have some coral in the tank and algae converting some of the CO2 in the system. I don't usually let it drop below 8 before swapping the media. Have you had a chance to calibrate your pH probe yet?

Yeah I calibrated and confirm the low ph with test kit. It's crazy...

 

[FishGuyBri]

So here is my first additions after QT and dip!!

 

[EthanDouglas]

So here is my first additions after QT and dip!!

Wow it's all looking great! I think I'm falling a bit behind schedule for my build hahaha. I don't even have water in yet, but progress is being made slowly. Keep up the good work, and keep us updated!

 

[FishGuyBri]

Thanks man. It's all going so smoothly, I'm afraid I'm doing something wrong!! Well that's a lie. I've had one small issue- my ATO gets stuck thinking water is low because bubbles congregate around the optical sensor, so it overfills just enough to cause the skimmer to go off balance. It overflowed, and it is so close to the edge of my sump it dumped about a gallon of water on the floor while i was out to dinner. Other than the other issues (forgetting the RODI unit and waking up in a panic at 03:30 and finding water all over the bathroom), things are going well, haha.

 

[Pongo]

the other issues (forgetting the RODI unit and waking up in a panic at 03:30 and finding water all over the bathroom), things are going well, haha.

Any way you can put a float valve with auto shut off on your RO/DI water storage container?

Like this one.

 

[FishGuyBri]

Any way you can put a float valve with auto shut off on your RO/DI water storage container?

Like this one.

I have one. It haven't used it yet. I'm considering making a water station in my first bathroom to stop using these crazy brutes. I'm going to work on a design soon, but right now school is eating all my time.

 

[FishGuyBri]

So here's my current situation and I'm looking for a next step:
Ph ranges 7.4 to 7.9 with CO2 scrubber and windows open.
DKH 5.0
NO3 0.025
NO2 5
Amm 0
PO4 0.08
Ca 497

I'm buying Mg test kit today. I know I need to bring up DKH. Right now I have 2 chromis and 5 clove polyps.

My plan is coming together and I'm taking it slow, but what do I need to do next? My plan is to do 25% WC of course. When I start using more alk, raising my DKH with dosing will be needed. I'm thinking using kalk. Since I don't have any major coral livestock yet I'm not too concerned, but what should I be doing now to get things ready. I want a good habit first so I can adjust as I go. I'm adding two clowns to QT today.

 

[FishGuyBri]

UPDATE!! See my beautiful new inhabitants - my colonies of diatoms hahaha. At least thats what I think it is. Major test parameters are good, dish are happy and clove polyps (I think) are open and happy!

 

[FishGuyBri]

My new additions. Parameters have evened out

 

[FishGuyBri]

Man my Mexican Turbo Snail makes rounds in my tank like crazy. My clownfish (Susie and Laura, the in-laws) are SUPER terrified of everything, even a week later... I hope they calm down.

 

[Xclusive Reef]

Been following thread. It is coming along nicely. how do you like those Aquaillumination Hydra HD ? i am not a big fan of too much shimmer. can't really tell from the pics

 

[FishGuyBri]

Been following thread. It is coming along nicely. how do you like those Aquaillumination Hydra HD ? i am not a big fan of too much shimmer. can't really tell from the pics

They're great but I hate the flex arms. Had some issues dialing in the right light parameters but doing ok now. I am going to try a different solution and probably hang them from the ceiling instead. I don't get a lot of shimmer because they're quite high off the surface and I have glass lids. I will do an update here soon but not much had changed except the cyano and diatoms I have... joy! Haha