Doug Lehman - Seeking maintenance advice

[kimha]

Hello Doug,

After I saw your setup and all your healthy fishes, I would like to follow your method for maintenance. I was going to use PM but thought I would post it here so other newbies can benefit from it. This is how I do my maintenance, but I want to switch to exactly how you do yours.

1. Add RO/DI fresh water every 3 days to refill water vaporization.

2. change 20% of water every 2 weeks using RO/DI water with SG set at 1.025.

3. Replace Activated Carbon every month.

4. I feed them once a day with the following food: frozen mysis, Ocean Nutrition formula 2, seeweed.

Do you add any other chemical to your FOWLR setup? Calcium, Baking soda, etc...on a regular basis?

I also notice the PH is only at 7.3 from the fresh RO/DI water tank. And the PH in the display tank is around 8.2. I am not sure if I should add PH buffer to get the PH to 8.2 in the fresh water before performing water change.

If you could describe your way of maintenance along with chemical/food that you use, it would be much appreciated. Because if I do it your way, I know I am doing it right

.

thanks a bunch Doug.

Kimha.

 

[ostrow]

Oh, Man! I read this as "Doug Lehman is seeking maintenance advice" and I came in here fully cocked and loaded! What a shame ... that would've been fun!

 

[kimha]

Hehehe.... If Doug is seeking maintenance advice then most of us would be in trouble

 

[Douglas LEHMAN]

Hello kimha
1) Check, I add 2 TBS. of CaribSea aragamight to every 5 gal/RO for top off. Takes the Alk to around 12dkh.
2)Check 20% every two weeks.
2a) Increase amount, depending on NO3.
3)Check 1/4 cup per 25 gallons, change 1/2 of it on the Saturday between water changes.
4) All fish are feed dry food in the mornig, frozen/live in the evening when I have time to sit and enjoy the show!
5) The only thing I add to my fish system (2) is a little Kent buffer to help keep it around 8 dkh or so.
6) And a big skimmer dosn't hurt!!!

 

[Fuppets]

I have been following the increasing Dkh post on this forum and was going to look into making a two part after I get the proper test kits, but from what I read about the aragamite that stuff eleminates the need for those two parts. Am I reading this correctly? Is this just for fish only tanks? How can it be that easy?
Thanks

 

[kimha]

Thank you very much Doug. This is exactly what I need...Easy and simple steps to follow. I was going to try the DIY 2 parts from Randy's recipes. But after I looked up the description of Caribsea Aragamight, it is the perfect product for me.

 

[kimha]

Hi Doug,

For water parameter testing, what test kits are absolutely necessary? I looked up on the internet for marine test kits and there are so many and also quite expensive. Could you suggest the important ones that I should get.

I have Amonia, nitrite, nitrate, and PH test kits. the liquid type that drop into a test tube then compare the color against the color chart. the PH test kit is almost useless because it is quite dificult to match the color from the chart. I am thinking about buying a quality Pinpoint PH monitor, and wondering if it is necessary.

Thanks again for your advice.

Kimha.

 

[craftytony]

I would suggest the Calcium, Alk, and Magnesium Salifert test kits