Austin goes Rimless - Dudester's 203g mixed reef

[Dudester]

Gabriel - Too bad you won't be around, as we could use your photography skills at the very least.

Eric - Sandbed absolutely for me (no disrespect to the BB folks though).

John - Good eye, bro, but that's an old photo of my Mako unit. The current 1st stage DI isn't as spent as the one in the image. But I'll still take you up on a refill .

Marc and Jonathan - As you can see in the image, I do use a dual TDS meter, measuring both the post-RO water and the post-DI water every time I make RO/DI. The tap puts out water at around 275, and after running for a minute or so the RO membrane knocks it down to 2 pretty consistently. After the dual DI's it's at 0. Just last week I tested both meters by placing them in tap water, then RO/DI water, and the readings were consistent with the numbers I just gave, so I think it's accurate. If this sounds wrong please correct me.

 

[melev]

If that is the case and 0 is the reading, its still good. Unless you are testing after the first DI and getting a higher number.

 

[Dudester]

I'm only testing after the 2nd DI, and I change the 1st one based on the color change. I guess I could add another TDS meter after the 1st DI so I could more accurately know when to change it ... think this is useful?

 

[cbui2]

very nice, keep them coming.

 

[KingfishJohn]

My findings with a dual DI system is that once the first DI is 1/2-3/4 orange, you're going to be putting a lot into the second (backup) DI quickly.

I know 0 TDS is supposed to be completely clean water but my experience with filters suggests it just isn't. I can notice a huge difference between brand new DI water, and DI water that still reads 0 TDS, but has the DI looking almost shot.

I also tend to suspect that TDS meters aren't 100% accurate all the time, and would rather spend the money on relatively cheap DI than to treat a problem of crappy water with Rowaphos and water changes.

 

[Dudester]

Thanks Bart.

John - I knew this would be your stance, and I'll continue to heed your advice. Still wondering about the merit of measuring TDS after the 1st DI though?

 

[jnarowe]

measure twice, cut once.

 

[GMFett]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10456796#post10456796 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
That tank looks even nicer wet. Imagine that! :thumbsup:

Isn't everything!!!! :lol:

As for the TMP- My 600 loves it, Dudes office tank loves it and so do many other peoples. Can you please elaborate on the bad test results Jonathon? Just curious. Always nice to stay informed.

-Marcus

 

[jnarowe]

Well, Sherman and I test every bucket/box of salt we buy. I tend to buy a dozen at a time and for a while, the OceanPure regular had stellar results...then I realized that the supplier was selling me the "Pro" version by mistake. The next batch of regular was horrible.

So then Sherman kept telling me about how great TMP is and that he would never use a different salt, so we did side-by-side testing of it and did not get good results. Unfortunately I cannot remember what they were, but I do know that Sherman was augmenting his and then decided to look around for another salt. Recently I brought in an OceanPure Pro and it tested the best out of any salt I have tested to-date.

I occassionally PM with Steve Weast about it and he says that basically every time he buys, he has to test a bunch of salts until he finds one that is adequate, and then he buys a bunch. Recently he told me that other large tank owners were using a combo of two different salts to get good results.

I am not trying to bash TMP at all. I just know that the last batch we tested was not up to par. And while we are on then subject, I have what I think is sort of an unusual practice regarding salts. I don't like to use the same salt all the time. I feel no matter how well a salt tests, it's going to be deficient in some trace elements so I prefer to try and switch it up each time I buy. That way my reef is exposed to more variety the same way my fish enjoy a huge variety of foods. I just plain don't believe that we should stick with our "favorite" salt.

 

[purebullet417]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10456119#post10456119 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dudester
Here's another real post for ya.

I fired up the 'cuda and added the salt. Here's the salt storm.

i love when my neighbor fires up his cuda you can here it from down the block lol. anyway i haven't posted here yet but your tank looks awesome. nice work

 

[cbui2]

always to be safe than sorry, what if the one meter you have goes bad?

 

[mcrist]

Beautiful setup. I canââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t wait to see your tank running.

 

[Dudester]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10459134#post10459134 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by purebullet417
i love when my neighbor fires up his cuda you can here it from down the block lol.

Whoa, if you wouldn't have added that "lol" I'd consider this the first slam of the thread. But seriously, have you had experience with the barracuda pump being loud? I've been very pleased with how quiet the Sequence pumps run. This is my 1st Barracuda, but my office tank runs off of a Hammerhead and a Dart. Anyway, glad you're following along.

cbui2 - I'll get another TDS meter.

mcrist - Thanks a lot - I can't wait either!

Jonathan - I think it's great how you switch up salts, as long as you're diligent about it and continue to test often. I don't think I'd have the desire to test every bucket of salt I open, and I instead prefer to buy a salt that I can trust. You make a great point about taking advantage of different trace elements from different salt brands. Kudos to you ... I'll just stick with what works for me.

 

[melev]

I think purebullet is referring to a vehicle perhaps. Isn't there a car called Barracuda, or a motorcycle?

Testing a bucket of salt once first opened is a good idea. That way you know for sure that it is good to use until the bucket is empty. Since I get 3 water changes out of a bucket, I know that for the next few sessions (weeks or months) that one is good.

Don't forget about the Kent debacle that happened in Jan 06. It was a national problem and no-one was testing their salt at first because they assumed it was fine, all the while watching their tanks decline. That was a real mess. And I've been a Kent user for years and years.

 

[gkarshens]

Yes a Cuda is a car. A very fast loud great car!

 

[jnarowe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10463865#post10463865 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
I think purebullet is referring to a vehicle perhaps. Isn't there a car called Barracuda, or a motorcycle?

OK....Marc, that was over the top. You might get banned for that.

I test every bucket/box I use after it has been mixed tio 1.026. There's no reason not to IMO. The "Kent debacle" is a regular course of business, and they just got caught.

 

[diveilm]

I am so amazed when I read these post and see the effort and craftsmanship everyone puts into there tanks. I'm a rookie to the sw scene and only have a 20L with some local pinfish I caught in a castnet (you gotta start somewhere). Just want to stop by and say how impressed I am at your set up and construction.

 

[erics3000]

Dudester do you have any pics of your office tank and equipment?

 

[KingfishJohn]

I agree that I'm guilty that I don't test every batch of salt I use. It really should be so as I have never tested a salt to be perfect.

 

[gkarshens]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10464421#post10464421 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by erics3000
Dudester do you have any pics of your office tank and equipment?

Here is a link to the thread about it: office