tjsailosullivan
New member
Thanks, wanted to create a nice area for the fish to swim and space for SPS grow out. First time I've ever used fiberglass rods. Wish I had done that years ago.
230 Ohio reef tank
- Thread starter tjsailosullivan
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Thanks, wanted to create a nice area for the fish to swim and space for SPS grow out. First time I've ever used fiberglass rods. Wish I had done that years ago.
tjsailosullivan
New member
Concerning the pump, I'm actually glad I went with a larger pump (Baracuda). Good thing about the Reeflo's is that they can be turned down via shut off valve with no negative impacts to the pump. It actually readjusts itself to the power consumption and GPS. Other added benefit is that I can also keep adding additional equipment to the main (e.g. UV sterilizer). Only challenge I have is a little tweaking on the added components when I adjust the flow one of the main shut off valves.
tjsailosullivan
New member
Just getting ready to make my own 3 part solution for my GHL doser. Everything was purchased at Walmart.
Epson salt - Magnesium sulfate $ 4.97
Arm n Hammer - super washing soda/soda ash 3.24
Morton Heavy Duty Ice Melt/100% high purity Calcium Chloride $7.47
Hopefully this will last me a year.
Epson salt - Magnesium sulfate $ 4.97
Arm n Hammer - super washing soda/soda ash 3.24
Morton Heavy Duty Ice Melt/100% high purity Calcium Chloride $7.47
Hopefully this will last me a year.
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
So thats all you need? The epson salt itself will do all your magnesium? The Arm and Hammer will do your alk and pH? And the ice melt will do your calcium? Very interesting.
Osteoclast
New member
Much cheaper than BRS! Reminds me of $4.00 prescriptions at Walmart. One stop shopping. All we need is an aisle of AGE tanks, SRO skimmers, Eshopps sumps, Radion lights, Eheim pumps, etc. etc. etc. May need to write the CEO watch the conversion and then purchase more stock!
tjsailosullivan
New member
Got the idea from the article below in advance Aquarist.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2004/4/chemistry
The author recommended Dow Flake and Baking Soda. I experimented last night with the Calcium Chloride mix but didn't like the way it turned out, I'm worried there is a high iron content in the calcium because the mixture looked a little orange in color. i made the water with water from my Ro Di unit. Will probably try again and look for Dow flake and try the authors method.
tjsailosullivan
New member
david00061
New member
Don't use that stuff....
tjsailosullivan
New member
David, have you taken a look at the article (hyperlinked above) from Advanced Aquarist by Dr Farley?
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david00061
New member
It's has to many impurities in it. Way too low grade IMO. Anyone can white an article.
I have 1000's invested in this. Water quality is most Important thing.
I have 1000's invested in this. Water quality is most Important thing.
david00061
New member
It's has to many impurities in it. Way too low grade IMO. Anyone can white an article.
I have 1000's invested in this. Water quality is most Important thing.
I have 1000's invested in this. Water quality is most Important thing.
tjsailosullivan
New member
Oops, was a duplicate post. Deleted.
tjsailosullivan
New member
Another update, sand was added 2 days ago (pink fiji) Was bored and ran some water tests today via Hanna checkers and Milwaukee digital refractometer. Looking ok so far. Alk is a little on the low side and not to worried about it at the moment. Nothing that a good water change wouldn't fix once the tank cycles through.
Salinity 1.025
Phosphates .02
Calcium 420
Alk 7.0
Salinity 1.025
Phosphates .02
Calcium 420
Alk 7.0
tjsailosullivan
New member
True, I wouldn't want to do anything myself that would cause any harm to the tank. I was talking with a good friend of mine earlier today who was my previous Chemistry instructor at the University of Maryland. (Has a Phd in Chemistry from Rutgers) He also agreed and didn't think it was a good idea to use the Driveway salt and suggested the red color was possibly Iron contaminant. However, he did say he didn't see any concerns with the Epson salt or Soda Ash providing I mixed them in the right proportions. They are most likely the same grade (food grade) as the BRS material. There are places (Fischer Chemicals) that do sell 100% pure grade, but i found They charge a premium. (E.g. 100% pure lab grade Calcium chloride averaged $45 for 6lbs) I guess I will probably resort back to the BRS versions for simplicity of it. Oh we'll, it was at least worth looking into.
david00061
New member
impurities have to end up some where. The will probably end up in your box of water.
tjsailosullivan
New member
Started building the aquarium facing today. Kinda doing some engineering on the cuff. Wanted the tank face to compliment the bar. Still need to make the upper facing and hopefully finish this weekend.
tjsailosullivan
New member
Thanks
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
Great work. Are those the temporary LEDs? Ill have to look back in your build to see what you decided to go with lighting.
tjsailosullivan
New member
Thanks, those are just temporary and happen to have them laying around. Might as well use what you can right. Those are Panorama Exotics. For now, I'll be using my 250 watt MH's (14K's) fixture, 2 - T5s and the remaining LED's I have laying around. Unfortunately, I have so many other items on the Christmas wish list right now and additional construction materials I still need for the basement. E.g. my mancave has to have a Pool table. Also, my other tank priority is for the back side of the tank which I plan on building a walking plank/steps for easy maintenance access out of composite patio decking.
I do however definately plan on going full LEDs at some point.
For now, I have temp maintenance free reef tank I built to keep me patient. (My other part of the man cave)
