210 build PIC INTENSE

I talked to my Dad the other day and he suggested to call the city of fargo for a printout of the parameters of our city tap water. I am going to start making some call tomorrow. I will post the results. As of right now I am still using tap water... if the results tell me otherwise I am going to place an order for a good rodi unit and ATO. Also i am going to put aside some money for one of these....
http://www.easymeters.com/cart/product.php?productid=2761&cat=0&page=1
 
I am looking at changing my bulbs in about four-six months and i want to go with some more blue....thinking 15,000k MH.... anyone see any side effects going from 10k-15knew bulbs?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14716274#post14716274 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EleganceMan
billsreef...
I do have phytoplankton in my homemade food which i feed one or two times a day....and i have been looking at getting that coral frenzy....anygood?

Haven't used it myself, but the ingredient list looks very good.
 
how long are your current bulbs been running for?
It is probably the tap water you are using that is causing the algae.
Obviously everyone has their own thought of how they want to their tank to look, no one is desputing that, but as someone mentioned your tank can become an impressive one if this problems were solved.
 
Menez....
my bulbs are still new but i do want a little more blue spectrum.
also i completely understand that my tank has more green algae than most would like....but to me that is part of the process and i am not panicing about it and feel the need to eliminate it asap. I have kept tanks for many years and to me, the way i setup my tanks that is part of the fun and process is to let it work itself out. If my parameters are in check then i am not going to make any drastic changes at this point.
Like you said everyone has there idea of what is impressive and to me it is variety and coral growth and health....and of course the fish.
But i do agree using tap water could be a problem in the long run...not because of the algae i have now but because of the other elements that can build up. that is why i am doing the research on it.

thank you
 
I understand that the algae is part of the setup process and that you like that the algae eliminates by itself rather than using drastic measures, I agree there with you as I like to do the same. As for the lighting I to have changed to a more blue look, although I'm not using MH only T5's, here where I live bills are expensive and I like the look of T5's. I use ATI lamps Aquablue Special with Blue Plus and I really like the effect.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14714302#post14714302 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EleganceMan
Peter... didnt your mother ever tell you if your not going to say something nice dont say anything at all!

Nope, she taught me to be truthful and speak my mind. Good luck with the tank in the future and hopefully you'll put a little more research and thought into liverstock additions.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14591712#post14591712 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EleganceMan
i was looking at my tank and saw the biggest brislte work or fireworm....it look about five inches long and over a 1/4 inch thick. I tried to grab it with a tweezers but the bugger got away...that thing was strong... i will try again if i see it and post pics when i do get it.


Bristleworms/fireworms are good for your reef. They're scavengers and help keep your tank clean...don't take them out. I have them in my refugium and they're no problem at all. They're the opposite..a solution!
 
Don't waste your money on the bench top hanna meter. Once your tank stabilizes you won't need to test the parameters but one or twice a month. The tests for the hanna meter are expensive. The refugium does look a lot better! I would get an RO/DI unit ASAP, the city of fargo has okay water, but you will notice a significant change in your tank health if you run an RO/DI. I would run an ATO with it and you would be set.
 
anemonebuff...
thanks i will have to keep my eye out for him i put it back in the fuge.

Reefaquariumnut...
i see that meter is $720now and that is a chunk of change but it would be nice to have because of how many things it test for....and it would be nice to be able to see the results of all of the without any hastle. Even though your right they shouldnt change much once the tank is at peak performance. All i know is i have never tested all of what it is capable of doing and with that i would.....and it keeps record of it all....with computer program printouts! THATS COOL.

Well most of you will be happy to hear i just removed the bioballs today....and now i am waiting for silicone to dry so i can fire up my sump again.
 
The meter does not test all the parameters at once...Each test is a different reagent and seperate from each other. What this means is that you would need to mix a different test tube for each parameter (Phosphate, Alkalinity, Calcium, etc). The easier method I would suggest is to send in a water sample to aquariumwatertesting.com. It ends up being like $1/test/parameter.
 
Well that sucks.....i had invisioned putting some sample water in and hitting a button and wall-ah 45 parameters all at once....lol.. wishful thinking!

I do have pretty good flow right now i have three returns from my sump, vortech, and a hydor. It took some adjusting to get them all situated so there wasnt a sand storm.
 
One bit of advice i can give you is to check and see if there are any local clubs in your area> Alot of clubs will have some of the meters you are looking at and there will be a bunch of people around you to help you. Along with the people on this site. Good luck
 
Maintain that SSB, that's about what my tank looked like after 4 years or so of inadequate maintenance of the substrate. Twice. Now I have cutting boards.

And get the RO/DI water going. How does the tap water test?

I think I got dumber reading this thread.
 
Ok i am back up and running ..... All the bio balls are gone! Hope I dont see any side effects after taking them out. The only reason I am a little worried is, after removing them i put them into a bucket with tank water. Then i stirred them all up until the water was dark from the buildup. I then tested for nitrates and it didnt register any. That worries me because if they were doing what they are intended to do and now i just took them all out that could cause another cycle.
 
oh yeah....i called the city and they are emailing me all the test results they conduct. I will post it once i get it. Also i have been doing some more research on a good rodi unit. Whats the reason one is better than another....i mean if its apples to apples comparison... such as four stage vs another four stage? I see some that are like 7 chambers for $1000 is that really neccisary? I guess when i get the tap water test results that will help me to determine which one i will need.
 
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