DanW's 187 SPS Dominated Reef Journal
- Thread starter DanW
- Start date
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15567068#post15567068 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DanW
Thanks Brian, it really teaches me a lesson. I've got to be more diligent in recalibrating the probes. It just sucks to see colonies and frags just fade away. Looks like I'm losing a setosa that I've had for over two years.
Lossing corals is never fun... trust me. As for the probe, why don't you just tune the reactor manualy first and then use the porbe as a safty device.
I have never used a probe to ran a reactor but it seems like it would be a pain to recalibrate all the time. I work in a lab and our probes need to be calibrated every day. It something that I just don't trust.... JMO
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pookstreet
Registered Stick Killer
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15567117#post15567117 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ian
Dan, what else have you lost? Ive recently acquired more frags than can fit in my tank. The frags are all doing excellent in the other system and if there's something I can help you with, you know I will
I just made some more room tonight
Oh wait, are you talkin' Acros? NM...... 
saltyg135er
New member
Sorry to hear about the other colonies, Hope everything works out.
DanW
Certified Stick Killer
Brian, when you say tune the reactor manually do you mean test the effluent with a kit?<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15567113#post15567113 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dejavu
Lossing corals is never fun... trust me. As for the probe, why don't you just tune the reactor manualy first and then use the porbe as a safty device.
I have never used a probe to ran a reactor but it seems like it would be a pain to recalibrate all the time. I work in a lab and our probes need to be calibrated every day. It something that I just don't trust.... JMO
DanW
Certified Stick Killer
Thanks Ian, I appreciate thought. Hopefully the problem was with the probes and this stops. I'm going to do a water change this morning and see how they react. I guess the good news is now that I have room I'll be able to buy stuff at IE-CFM (hopefully if my tank recovers). Let your frags grow and when they become big beautiful colonies I'll drive up with a laser pointer and a pair of cutters.<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15567117#post15567117 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ian
Dan, what else have you lost? Ive recently acquired more frags than can fit in my tank. The frags are all doing excellent in the other system and if there's something I can help you with, you know I will
So far here are the losses:
Red Robin
Royal Plum
Paletta Pink Tip
Raspberry Sherbet
Pearlberry
Purple Valida
Crayola Plana
On the watch list:
Setosa
Ultimate's Rainbow
No, Setup your reactor using bubble count and effluent rate so that the tank alk is stablein your tank. You would do this without using a pH probe to set the pH in the reactor.
So many people just use their pH probe to set the pH in there reactor without adjusting CO2 bubble rate. I have a few problems doing it this way.
1) If you pH probe goes bad. Lets say the it read higher than what the real reading is. This can allow more CO2 to enter the reactor than needed. Seeing how the probe is read the pH higher than it actual is the solenoid remain open allowing more Co2 to enter lowing the pH more and raising alk.
The same thing can happen if it read lower that it actual is. pH probes will drift to the high or low side over time. That is way they need to be calibrated often. Plus most of the probes hobbiest use are not very good and are made to be replace often.
2) Solenoid can go out. If you relay on a pH probe to set your reactor without manual adjusting the CO2 bubble count to the correct setting, higher CO2 rate can cause the the solenoid to open and shut often. Over time the solenoid can ware out. Either sticking open or shut... bad in both cases.
Remember this i just how I do it. Many have had good luck doing it the other way and many have not. In the end test your alk weekly can help to avoid large swings.
aquariumclown
New member
Sorry to hear about losing these corals Dan, if you are looking for anything particular to replace, let me know.
I feel you on the probe or wrong readings. I just got a new dkh test kit and it reads 2 points higher than the older one. I was keeping mine at 8dkh, now it looks like i been running it at 10.4. So I'm gonna let it drop for a few days too.
pookstreet
Registered Stick Killer
Wow, Dan. That's a hefty list. I can get you a nice chunk of the setota if needed.
DanW
Certified Stick Killer
Thanks for the tip Brian. I'll take it into consideration, gotta do something for sure. (Like following better habits.)<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15567856#post15567856 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dejavu
No, Setup your reactor using bubble count and effluent rate so that the tank alk is stablein your tank. You would do this without using a pH probe to set the pH in the reactor.
So many people just use their pH probe to set the pH in there reactor without adjusting CO2 bubble rate. I have a few problems doing it this way.
1) If you pH probe goes bad. Lets say the it read higher than what the real reading is. This can allow more CO2 to enter the reactor than needed. Seeing how the probe is read the pH higher than it actual is the solenoid remain open allowing more Co2 to enter lowing the pH more and raising alk.
The same thing can happen if it read lower that it actual is. pH probes will drift to the high or low side over time. That is way they need to be calibrated often. Plus most of the probes hobbiest use are not very good and are made to be replace often.
2) Solenoid can go out. If you relay on a pH probe to set your reactor without manual adjusting the CO2 bubble count to the correct setting, higher CO2 rate can cause the the solenoid to open and shut often. Over time the solenoid can ware out. Either sticking open or shut... bad in both cases.
Remember this i just how I do it. Many have had good luck doing it the other way and many have not. In the end test your alk weekly can help to avoid large swings.
DanW
Certified Stick Killer
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15568933#post15568933 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ian
For sure but Id be glad to give your pearlberry back. That was a beautiful colony you had
Thanks Brian, Ian, Leo and Kenny. I'm on vacation and hoping that when I get back my corals will be fine. I might take you guys up on some replacements depending on what happens. I really appreciate your concerns.
Dave's Reef
New member
Real sorry to hear about your losses Dan.
Hang in there!
Hang in there!
saltyg135er
New member
Dan,
I would gladly trade my stuff to have your colonies back. Hate to see it when corals die.
.
PnoyReefeR
New member
Dan sorry to hear your loss as well.. hopefully it will all recover soon and if you are ready let me know i think I have some to spare ... hang in there..
i think I have some to spare ... hang in there..
DanW
Certified Stick Killer
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15577963#post15577963 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reefer08
Dan, im sorry to hear about your losses.
How often do you replace your PH probes?
Dave, Ramzy, Michael thanks for the good thoughts I appreciate it. Ramzy, I've not replaced my probes since I purchased my AC Jr. and the Milwaukee PH monitor. The AC Jr. is about a year old and the Milwaukee is about 6 months. I think that I need to calibrate them more often now that they are older. If I find them drifting a lot from test to test I'll replace them. Anyone know the life of probes?<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15583215#post15583215 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by saltyg135er
Dan,
I would gladly trade my stuff to have your colonies back. Hate to see it when corals die.
