Aquaph8's 225 Build

[aquaph8]

Yes, thinking of taking the Ca reactor offline. That or possibly adding another chamber to it so that we can reduce the pH-lowering impact it's having. We're having to run the Ca reactor really hard to keep up with all the SPS in the tank and and dosing Kalk can't keep up with the depressed pH effect caused by all the CO2. It's a dilemma I think many big SPS keepers face...I was just thinking that at least with balling we can carefully control all the different additives...

You should talk to Tyler about a nice two part container. Have you thought about using a DIY two part? DIY two part would be pretty cheap to run, just baking soda and I'm sure you have access to the de-ice stuff people use for the calcium part. I unfortunately have to buy the calcium part from BRS since snow doesn't really happen here in Tucson.

I'm torn on what is more fail safe in my arguments with myself today. On one side I could have issues if my ATO decided to not shut off and dump a bunch of kalk and on the other hand I'm not sure I wouldn't be making it worse by relying on two separate pumps for the top off and kalk reactor. I've also thought about replacing my RKL with an Apex unit so I could fail safe things through a PH probe but then your relying on a PH probe.

 

[aquaph8]

Interesting conversation and an issue I'm researching to make sure I'm set up properly moving forward. I still haven't pulled the trigger on a kalk reactor, which I'd set up to be dosed through the ATO, for the reasons drummereef pointed out (my evap rate changes) and I can't make a decision on a calcium reactor for the reasons M&T pointed out (I'm struggling with low pH levels). Anyway, carry on!

Hey Zibba, regardless of the path you choose I love the addition of kalk to my tank and highly recommend it. It bumps your PH up and covers a nice portion of your alk/calcium in a nice balanced way, what's not to like? It's also said to bind phosphates and is really cheap.

 

[psteeleb]

I agree with Brett 110% on the kalc - if you can work kalc into your system, even in smaller quantities it does great things for the tank. The corals seem to love the stuff, it helps pH and improves skimming (so I've read)

 

[biecacka]

You can also dose a little vinegar in your ATO and it also lets the water absorb more Kalk. S you can over saturate your ATO with more kalk by doing so.
There is a thread by Randy in the chemistry forum
Corey

 

[aquaph8]

Thanks for the contributions guys, I agree with you both. I haven't messed with the ATO yet, I pulled my back out this morning and haven't felt up to it. I'd also like to get a newer dosing pump than the old one I got laying around.

Received a few new frags today compliments of BattleCorals.

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

Battle coral does have some nice pieces. Great pickup on the frags.

 

[aquaph8]

Battle coral does have some nice pieces. Great pickup on the frags.

Thanks yeah Adam is awesome, he has more nice stuff than I have room for.

 

[cmaxwell39]

Nice looking frags. What is the stag on the right?

 

[aquaph8]

Thanks, lt the Ponape torch. The others ones are Saphire Millie, undata, Dream sequence millie and Blue moon Humulis

 

[drummereef]

You have awesome friends.

 

[aquaph8]

We did a Tucson group buy with Battle Corals and he sent us a really nice box of corals

 

[lluv24]

Really nice;-)

 

[aquaph8]

Thank you lluv24

 

[drummereef]

We did a Tucson group buy with Battle Corals and he sent us a really nice box of corals

Ah, gotcha. Totally worth it through a group buy. He's got some really nice corals on his site.

 

[aquaph8]

Excited about this hopefully being a pair, I hope she plays nice with the little guy

 

[gimmito]

Funny how they're checking each other out...good luck with the match making.

 

[aquaph8]

Thanks Jim, she hasn't acted too bothered so far. Im optimistic

 

[Crazy_Beaver]

Good luck with the match making. I always enjoy a pair of them!

 

[drummereef]

Beautiful fish Brett.

 

[psteeleb]

good luck with the pair - can't wait to see how they progress