Dodged a bullet.. But how?

[sturner91]

So I just realized today that my doser has been dosing 24ml of vodka a day. Some how I've been misreading the unit and gradually worked my way up. How I didn't crash my tank I have no idea. I'm still sticking to the original dosing regime and since my nitrates have bottomed out at 0ppm(finally)i am cutting my dose in half. I will now be dosing 3ml four times a day(12ml total). I will gradually bring this down until I can hold a steady level of nitrates. I am running biopellets as well. Odd but the majority of my levels are in check.

72gal bow front with roughly 10gal sump

Ph 8.1 digital ph gauge just calibrated with 3 point calibration
No3 0ppm used api kit
Po4 roughly .5ppm api kit
Cal 548ppm Hannah instruments
Alk 7.4dkh Hannah instruments

Did not test mag. Will do so in my next test.
I am also dosing purple up once a day at 10ml per day.


I also want to hear everyone's thoughts on this. Regardless of it being a stupid mistake.

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[mcgyvr]

Its just carbon dosing... Overdosing is basically just going to leave you with cloudy water/stringy bacteria all over the rocks,etc...
Its ok..

 

[sturner91]

That's it? I thought it could cause worse?

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[mcgyvr]

Well.. I suppose in extreme situations you could have low oxygen levels but as long as you are skimming and not going super crazy is a pretty harmless way to reduce nutrients..

You didn't do any harm.. Its fine..

 

[sturner91]

Well.. I suppose in extreme situations you could have low oxygen levels but as long as you are skimming and not going super crazy is a pretty harmless way to reduce nutrients..

You didn't do any harm.. Its fine..

I mean, little cuts on my finger tingle whenever I put my hand in the tank now. Haha

But I guess we'll see what happens. Hopefully my hair algae will slowly start disappearing now

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[mcgyvr]

cuts + salt water = tingle/sting..
Could also be a failing piece of equipment.. Is everything submerged and line powered on a GFCI device of some sort?

 

[sde1500]

I mean, little cuts on my finger tingle whenever I put my hand in the tank now. Haha

But I guess we'll see what happens. Hopefully my hair algae will slowly start disappearing now

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I'd say that is more from salt water than anything. I'd also say to avoid doing that as much as possible, and if you do put open cuts in the tank, clean them like crazy after. Plenty of nasty things you can catch doing that.

 

[crawlerman]

If you are dosing to keep up your calcium, alk and mag there is no need to dose purple up. Here is a thread on purple up

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1632658

 

[sturner91]

cuts + salt water = tingle/sting..
Could also be a failing piece of equipment.. Is everything submerged and line powered on a GFCI device of some sort?

I grew up surfing. I never had this type of a tingle. Gfci is on my list of needs and lack currently. I've had a short in my tank and this doesn't feel like that.

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[sturner91]

I'd say that is more from salt water than anything. I'd also say to avoid doing that as much as possible, and if you do put open cuts in the tank, clean them like crazy after. Plenty of nasty things you can catch doing that.

I wash my hands every time immediately after coming out of the tank

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[sturner91]

In light of potential for stray voltage I have taken it upon myself to buy two items.
A) GFCI outlet adapter
B) Grounding probe for my tank

Question, where would be the best place for the probe? I would like to put it in the sump so it is out of the way, but I am concerned about potential stray voltages in the display affecting any fish. In theory there should be a complete circuit from display to sump due to the constant movement and connection of water, so does it really matter?

 

[mcgyvr]

The ONLY proven use for a ground probe is to cause the GFCI to instantly trip the second a fault develops in the submerged line powered equipment in the water vs that fault potentially staying present until a path to ground is created (via your hands,etc..)

The downside is that this may happen when you are away from your tank and then all power/powerheads,etc.. are shut off and stuff can die fairly quickly with lack of circulation..

Personally I would return it or just trash it..

You ONLY need a GFCI on submerged line powered equipment.. No one needs a ground probe..

 

[sturner91]

The ONLY proven use for a ground probe is to cause the GFCI to instantly trip the second a fault develops in the submerged line powered equipment in the water vs that fault potentially staying present until a path to ground is created (via your hands,etc..)

The downside is that this may happen when you are away from your tank and then all power/powerheads,etc.. are shut off and stuff can die fairly quickly with lack of circulation..

Personally I would return it or just trash it..

You ONLY need a GFCI on submerged line powered equipment.. No one needs a ground probe..

Yea I've actually been doing a bit more research into the probe and it seems it could potentially cause more harm as well. For example IF there is a voltage leak it does not currently have a path therefor it lacks current. Current, to my understanding, is what could kill. Some say that if you introduce a grounding probe you can create that path allowing current to happen which in turn could fry the fish.

I have canceled the order for the grounding probe.
GFCI I should still have because of all the submerged electronics.
I will be picking up a volt meter on my way home today and will see if I can track down my culprit.

 

[mcgyvr]

I will be picking up a volt meter on my way home today and will see if I can track down my culprit.

Note: Todays higher impedance meters/etc.. will pick up voltage just from fluorescent lighting/motors,etc... just holding the probes in the air and in close proximity to them.. And that can register a few volts or dozens of volts depending on many factors..
So you can basically ignore anything under 2/3rds or so of line voltage..
In fact don't even waste your time..

You have a GFCI.. plug each device into it one at a time and "IF" it trips thats the culprit.. Its more "useful" than a voltmeter for this situation..

The best suggestion is to get gloves and never place your hands into the tank.. You could have chemicals on your skin that can cause problems,etc...
Arm length gloves are great to have..

 

[sturner91]

Note: Todays higher impedance meters/etc.. will pick up voltage just from fluorescent lighting/motors,etc... just holding the probes in the air and in close proximity to them.. And that can register a few volts or dozens of volts depending on many factors..
So you can basically ignore anything under 2/3rds or so of line voltage..
In fact don't even waste your time..

You have a GFCI.. plug each device into it one at a time and "IF" it trips thats the culprit.. Its more "useful" than a voltmeter for this situation..

The best suggestion is to get gloves and never place your hands into the tank.. You could have chemicals on your skin that can cause problems,etc...
Arm length gloves are great to have..

I see.
But I like my bond I have with my cleaner shrimp. The daily manicures is great!