d2mini's "Essential Focus" Mixed Reef Build

[d2mini]

I agree with you there!!! That's insane. How much do you feed your tank?

Once a night.
It's the light. It's a real powerhouse!


Something else new this week... I started experimenting with Nitrate dosing.
I have been down to 1ppm or less.
I'd rather it sit somewhere around 5 ppm.

So I got me some Spectracide Stump Remover.

Mixed up somewhere around 5 tablespoons with 450 ml of water, but the neck in the container I was using was small and I spilled a bunch so not sure how much made it in there this time.
I'll get a better measurement next time I mix it up.
But for now I dosed 10ml of that solution the first night but it didn't move much so I dosed 20ml the next night. Following morning nitrates seemed to be around 4-5 ppm. I dosed 10ml last night but haven't tested again yet.

Will update on this next week.

 

[ClownsRCoo]

Man you didn't have to do all that. You can have my water change water for free


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[Floyd R Turbo]

So I got me some Spectracide Stump Remover.

I would have never thought of using that...pulled up the SAS and it's 100.0% KNO3 CAS# 7757-79-1. So you get the Nitrate with the added benefit of Potassium! Nice

 

[ClownsRCoo]

There are a few threads on several forums about this stuff and it being used for this purpose. I don't know how in the hell these people find these products for this application but I'm thankful they did.


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[Floyd R Turbo]

Many tricks like that. For Potassium dosing, just get a bag of Potassium Chloride water softener salt at Home Depot for $10, mix up in a 5g bucket, and drip into tank via a cup of dry GFO...that bag will last you forever and is way cheaper than anything else by about 1000x

 

[d2mini]

Yep!
There is a Spectracide thread on "the other forum".
I'd post a link but we know how that goes.

 

[DamonG]

Once a night.
It's the light. It's a real powerhouse!


Something else new this week... I started experimenting with Nitrate dosing.
I have been down to 1ppm or less.
I'd rather it sit somewhere around 5 ppm.

So I got me some Spectracide Stump Remover.

Mixed up somewhere around 5 tablespoons with 450 ml of water, but the neck in the container I was using was small and I spilled a bunch so not sure how much made it in there this time.
I'll get a better measurement next time I mix it up.
But for now I dosed 10ml of that solution the first night but it didn't move much so I dosed 20ml the next night. Following morning nitrates seemed to be around 4-5 ppm. I dosed 10ml last night but haven't tested again yet.

Will update on this next week.

Lol, told you dude! As crazy as it sounds, the one I'm using now(I'm running a scrubber, or trying to since I moved) is even stronger.. Same wattage, but with optics and I think a better fan..

But your fuge combo of algea colors looks simply awesome! That is a wonderful fuge display!

And when you run out of the stump killer, check out Amazon for raw potassium nitrate.. Very, very inexpensive and in pellet form. I haven't used it except for maybe twice, but it works with very little added to the system.. I think I posted maybe 10.00 for about a quart sized bag.. And I added at the most half a teaspoon to my 180(210 total gallons) to get 1ppm of nitrate.. It was at the beginning of the year so I cannot remember exactly the amount, but I know it was either quarter or half a teaspoon.. Maybe I'll try and find it and throw a little in, as an experiment and let you know if you wish..

But your system, as always, looks insanely great!

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[DamonG]

I apologize, it was calcium nitrate and it was a 2lb bag for 9.99.. I just checked my orders..

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[d2mini]

I apologize, it was calcium nitrate and it was a 2lb bag for 9.99.. I just checked my orders..

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Cool, but to your point, pure potassium nitrate is available on Amazon, too.
At least from what I saw in my quick research. It was just easy to stop by lowes since I seem to be there or home depot all the time anyway.

 

[DamonG]

Cool, but to your point, pure potassium nitrate is available on Amazon, too.
At least from what I saw in my quick research. It was just easy to stop by lowes since I seem to be there or home depot all the time anyway.

This is true.. Lol, especially if it's your second home.. I completely identify though.. I try to stay out of there, hobby shops and computer parts stores.. All along with especially fish/reef stores.. Too easy to walk out after 10 minutes and at least a couple hundred lighter in the pocket..

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[biecacka]

That chaeto is growing crazy!!!! Good job buddy, I'll be watching that stump removal nitrate technique your using.

Corey

 

[fishresponse]

I'm assuming there isn't any other harmful chemicals in that stump remover stuff?

 

[vipertaj]

Sorry for the noob question but is there anything other than just the pump to make it tumble? I am pretty sure but just want to make sure.

 

[d2mini]

That chaeto is growing crazy!!!! Good job buddy, I'll be watching that stump removal nitrate technique your using.

Corey

Thanks, Corey.

I'm assuming there isn't any other harmful chemicals in that stump remover stuff?

As far as any of us know, it's just Potassium Nitrate.
Now exactly how pure it is... I couldn't tell ya.
If I end up continuing with it, I may look into finding something more medical grade.

Sorry for the noob question but is there anything other than just the pump to make it tumble? I am pretty sure but just want to make sure.

No worries. The tumble is solely from the drain pipe.

 

[fishresponse]

As far as any of us know, it's just Potassium Nitrate.
Now exactly how pure it is... I couldn't tell ya.
If I end up continuing with it, I may look into finding something more medical grade.

That's where my head was at too. Have you thought of just feeding your fish more? I know it comes with the addition of phosphates but would give you the same effect while not exactly in controlled amounts but maybe the peace of mind that you're not adding other chemicals.

 

[d2mini]

That's where my head was at too. Have you thought of just feeding your fish more? I know it comes with the addition of phosphates but would give you the same effect while not exactly in controlled amounts but maybe the peace of mind that you're not adding other chemicals.

Ya I was trying to feed a little more.
I feel like there is already a lot of uneaten food that floats around and settles, and since I'm not doing water changes and was never one to siphon sand anyway, I didn't want to dump too much in there.
Plus I can only feed once or twice a night so more frequent smaller feedings isn't really an option.

We'll see how it goes though.
The tank is just two months old (got rock and sand) tomorrow.
Just a baby so everything is still kinda getting worked out, settling in, etc.

 

[Johnseye]

Hey Dennis, could you tell us what your experience with the GHL doser 2 has been like? I saw you writing on the owners forum and mentioning something about no log capability... Is that an issue for you still? How reliable is the doser 2?


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No log capability? Not sure what you mean by that or if that was me.
The only thing I was asking about (i think in the GHL sponsor forum) was the ability for me to tell it that I wanted to dose X amount per day and have the doser do the math depending on how many times I told it I wanted it to dose per day. In other words, if I told it I wanted it to dose 40 ml per day and split that up by dosing 10x per day, it would know to dose 4ml each time. But instead it works the opposite way. You tell it how much to dose each time and how many times per day. Not a big deal.

Other than that, it's been great. Real easy to use.
Calibration of each pump is a snap.
Other than when calibrating it, I've never heard it running, so it's very quiet.
It's very accurate.
It can dose down to .1 ml which has been nice. I just noticed a slight decrease in my Alk when I tested this morning, so I ramped it up .1 ml per dose after I got to my office via MyGHL.
Programming online via MyGHL is simple and quick.
And it keeps track of how much is left in my dosing containers so I'll get a notification when it gets down to 10%.
I'd definitely recommend it.

That was me commenting about the lack of logs. I have both the Doser 2 and Neptune DOS. The DOS logs which is great for reference and confirmation. That said it's only 2 heads while the Doser 2 is 4. The Doser 2 is also quieter. I'm using the Doser 2 now while my DOS is shelved. That may change though.

 

[d2mini]

That was me commenting about the lack of logs. I have both the Doser 2 and Neptune DOS. The DOS logs which is great for reference and confirmation. That said it's only 2 heads while the Doser 2 is 4. The Doser 2 is also quieter. I'm using the Doser 2 now while my DOS is shelved. That may change though.

Well, glad we cleared up that mystery.

 

[d2mini]

Just for fun, i left my nest cam in front of the tank this morning.
Makes for a crummy screen grab but I haven't had a chance to take an updated FTS.

 

[Arkayology]

It still looks great even with the low pic quality.