I just love the esthetics of this tank and the photography is stunning. I wish I possessed the vision and skill to emulate it
I am confused about your parameters. I don't understand the reading of a 6 Alk. I understand your comment on adjusting your calcium reactor to increase it. However, I thought an Alk of 6 is inconsistent with coral survival. Is it perhaps an erroneous reading or is this yet another example of a tank that does not play by the rules
Thank you again.
I have always like my Alk to be between 8-9 as my SPS seem to be best within this range.
The old media that I have used were medium size and have completely depleted in December. I had replaced the media with the "chunkier" size. Since replacing the media, I am not able to raise Alk above 7. To my knowledge, there are only 2 adjustments that can be made with a GEO. My issues have been:
1. If I raise the BMP, I would get excess gas/bubbles within the chamber.
2. If I reduce the drip rate, it would clog.
The test kit that I used is API. I had inadvertently bought an expired kit before and my results were poor. According to the date on the current bottle, it doesn't expire until 2017. Nonetheless, I will buy a new kit this weekend and see if the result will be different. If not, I will have to go back to the medium size media as it has worked for me in the past.
No question. TOTM.
What test kit do you use for Phos and are you quoting PO43- or P ?.
Another reefer with awesome colours and higher phosphate levels.
Thanks
Mo
Thank you, Mo. I used a Hanna. You're gonna laugh, but I honestly don't know the difference between PO4 - or P is. The Hanna kit that I used....All I need to is fill the water in the tube, place it in the kit, press until I see 2, add the reagent pack, press until it flashes 3, wait 3 minutes and that's the # that I saw. I have to look back in my thread, but I know that sometime ago my Phosphate was 0.3+.
I was advised that the readings may not be accurate if the battery is low. I have the kit over a year and haven't change the battery so this will be something that I need to do this weekend. I will share the new results.
Last time I checked my alk it was 5.6dkh. Everything g was good. I don think this is an ideal number but as long as it's stable it's not the end of the world. I brought my alk back up to 8 over a number of days.
+1
I've had my alk drop twice under 6dKH in the past 2 months and apart from one or two corals browning out slightly, most are just fine.
When a tank is super healthy, these corals can handle a surprising amount of short tem abuse.. They bounce right back..
I assume that's why some people get away with having big angels with their sps.
I don't have any evidence and continue to learn as much as I can about our evolving hobby, but based on my personal experience I will concur with the above assessments.
Other than my salinity which I test on a weekly basis. I test my Alk and Phosphate once a month . With each test results, I have learned that my Alk and Phosphate has never been constant.
I don't test any other parameters. However, I have been asked on several occasions. I will take my water to a LFS and have them test and will share with everyone soon. Hopefully, their kits a good and accurate. :spin1:
Again, thank you so much everyone! Have a terrific evening!!
