Floridiot's new SPS tank journal

[vair]

Great thread! I've been a multi 250 MH guy for a while and I'm now experimenting with T 5's on my sysytem as well, to early to tell what I like, I'll let ya know. Very interested to also see how your Prodibio tests go!

The real reason for my post, your Turbofloater skimmer. I have the tall version on my predator tank. In the past it skimmed really well now I have the same issue you seemed to mention can't get the skim mate flowing up and over.Did you do your skimmer mod yet.

Thanks

Dave

 

[Floridiot]

Yes I did the mod, and it works great. I'll post some pics sometime in the next few days.

 

[vair]

That would be great.
Thanks
Dave

 

[Floridiot]

Prodibio dosing update:

2/9 - dosed 3.5 vials Bioptim +1 vial Biodigest
2/14 - dosed 1 vial Reefbooster
2/24 - dosed 3.5 vials Bioptim +1 vial Biodigest
2/25 - dosed 1 vial Reefbooster
3/4 - dosed 1 vial Reefbooster
3/11 - dosed 3.5 vials Bioptim +1 vial Biodigest
3/12 - dosed 1 vial Reefbooster
3/18 - dosed 1 vial Reefbooster

Samples taken for PO4 testing:

2/2 - .045 ppm phosphate
2/9 - .045 ppm phosphate
3/21 - .040 ppm phosphate

My next phosphate test will be taken around 4/21. So far I see very little difference in my PO4 levels. Although my chaeto growth has slowed considerably, it is still growing. I ordered a Deltec/Merck PO4 test kit from Doug about a month ago, but still have not received it. He said they were on backorder. I will contact him later to see what the deal is. I'm anxious to check my PO4 levels with a test kit that is standard in the aquarium industry.

My chaeto has not died off yet, and has grown some (albeit slower than before Prodibio). All other water params seem to be normal. After taking the PO4 test sample on Tuesday, I started adding CaCl to my water in an attempt to get my Ca/Alk equilibrium back in check. I'm running my MTC Procal at a very slow drip rate in the meantime. From now on, I will add CaCl to my newly mixed SW before water changes in an attempt to keep my Alk/Ca balance in good ratio.

 

[FSOL]

FLORIDIOT - are you adding these supplements at certain times of the day (lights on or lights off)?

I add mine when lights are on and turn skimmer off as well for about half an hour.

 

[Floridiot]

I've been adding them at night shortly after the lights go out. I only turn off the skimmer when dosing the reefbooster as per the instructions.

So far, I can tell it does work somewhat due to the temporary increase I noticed in skimmer production and the slowing of chaeto growth. I am not yet sold on its effectiveness on removing phosphate. My NO3 was undetectable before testing and is still undetectable, so I cannot use it as a gauge of its effectiveness.

If my PO4 levels do not fall in my upcoming mid April test, I will completely stop dosing the Prodibio products for a while. This will be my only way to test effectiveness.

 

[elephen]

Do you think they have been helping at all though?

 

[TryTheChi]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7025347#post7025347 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Floridiot
Prodibio dosing update:


Samples taken for PO4 testing:

2/2 - .045 ppm phosphate
2/9 - .045 ppm phosphate
3/21 - .040 ppm phosphate

.

Interesting - is the lab testing for both organic and inorganic PO4?

Look forward to see what the Mereck says (thats what I test with)

Many of the zeo people use Hanna electronic PO4 tests which show a higher level than hobbyist reagent tests.

Have you noticed any other effect with the Prodi?

 

[Floridiot]

by TryTheChi
Interesting - is the lab testing for both organic and inorganic PO4?

Look forward to see what the Mereck says (thats what I test with)

Many of the zeo people use Hanna electronic PO4 tests which show a higher level than hobbyist reagent tests.

Have you noticed any other effect with the Prodi?

Yes, the lab tests for total phosphorous (organic and inorganic forms). I will let everyone know the Merck results if I ever get my test kit.

I can't say that I'm too impressed with the Prodi yet, as I haven't seen too much in change. It is still way too early to tell right now.

 

[Sparkss]

How happy are you with the camlock fittings ? Any issues with leaking or corrosion ? How long have yours been in use ? I am considering using those on my next setup (planning my order out at Savko now ).

 

[Floridiot]

I absolutely love the camlock fittings! They make life so much easier when doing routine maintenance. I'm surprised they're not a lot more popular.

I used to be a utilities mechanic for the local Water Treatment department. We used these same camlock fittings for ferric chloride and sodium hydroxide slurries which were considerably harsher than saltwater, and they never leaked. I don't ever remember replacing a gasket on one during my 8 years there.

 

[Sparkss]

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated, and the best of luck with your tank

BTW, your Angel doesn't pester your corals too much ?

 

[Floridiot]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7135590#post7135590 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sparkss
BTW, your Angel doesn't pester your corals too much ?

The angel ate at the pink pocillapora for the first few weeks, but then decided to leave it alone ever since. That is the only coral he's messed with so far. He's been a model citizen ever since.

 

[Floridiot]

Prodibio dosing update:

2/9 - dosed 3.5 vials Bioptim +1 vial Biodigest
2/14 - dosed 1 vial Reefbooster
2/24 - dosed 3.5 vials Bioptim +1 vial Biodigest
2/25 - dosed 1 vial Reefbooster
3/4 - dosed 1 vial Reefbooster
3/11 - dosed 3.5 vials Bioptim +1 vial Biodigest
3/12 - dosed 1 vial Reefbooster
3/18 - dosed 1 vial Reefbooster
3/25 - dosed 3.5 vials Bioptim +1 vial Biodigest
3/29 - dosed 1 vial Reefbooster
4/4 - dosed 1 vial Reefbooster
4/8 - dosed 3.5 vials Bioptim +1 vial Biodigest

Samples taken for PO4 testing:

2/2 - .045 ppm phosphate
2/9 - .045 ppm phosphate
3/21 - .040 ppm phosphate

My next phosphate test will be taken around 4/21. Chaeto is still growing, albeit much slower. I still never received my Deltec/Merck PO4 test kit from Doug.

All other water params seem to be normal.

Ca - 420ppm
Alk - 9dkh
ph - 8.05 to 8.3
NO3 - not detectable
PO4 - not detectable on Seachem (next lab test will be on 4/21)

I'm running my MTC Procal on a timer right now for about 5 hours per day. I now add CaCl to my newly mixed SW before water changes to bring its level up to 420ppm.

I'm noticing better coloration and decent growth now. The tank is just cruising along and is now at the point of being very low maintenance. It was a long six months of setting it all up the way I wanted, but now I'm at the point of sitting back and waiting for the corals to grow. Due to the fact that my tank is stocked with all small frags, it will probably be a year before it really looks like much. I plan on placing another order from kmagyar soon, at which point my tank will be completely stocked with corals.

 

[Floridiot]

Prodibio dosing update:

2/9 - dosed 3.5 vials Bioptim +1 vial Biodigest
2/14 - dosed 1 vial Reefbooster
2/24 - dosed 3.5 vials Bioptim +1 vial Biodigest
2/25 - dosed 1 vial Reefbooster
3/4 - dosed 1 vial Reefbooster
3/11 - dosed 3.5 vials Bioptim +1 vial Biodigest
3/12 - dosed 1 vial Reefbooster
3/18 - dosed 1 vial Reefbooster
3/25 - dosed 3.5 vials Bioptim +1 vial Biodigest
3/29 - dosed 1 vial Reefbooster
4/4 - dosed 1 vial Reefbooster
4/8 - dosed 3.5 vials Bioptim +1 vial Biodigest
4/15 - dosed 1 vial Reefbooster
4/22 - dosed 3.5 vials Bioptim +1 vial Biodigest
4/29 - dosed 1 vial Reefbooster


Samples taken for PO4 testing:

2/2 - .045 ppm phosphate
2/9 - .045 ppm phosphate
3/21 - .040 ppm phosphate
4/21 - .040 ppm phosphate

After getting my last PO4 test result back, I'm now even a bit more skeptical of Prodibio's claims of Phosphate reduction.

Please let it be known that the testing I've had done is very different from the testing most aquarists use. My samples were tested using extremely accurate lab grade equipment which tests for total phospherous. I then had to convert the total phospherous levels to phosphate using a conversion formula.

There is also the factor of my test being non-scientific. Although I tried to keep my parameters as constant as I could (fed the same amount every day, didn't add or remove any fish, etc...), there were a few changes over the past two months. I added CaCl to raise my Ca levels over a one week period, I lost about 3 hermit crabs due to unknown causes, I removed two gorilla crabs, I upgraded my Korallin reactor to an MTC ProCal, and I reduced my photoperiod by one hour per day.

Being neither a Marine Biologist, nor a chemist, I'm not sure how much any of these changes factor into the equation.

My next plan of action is to completely stop dosing the Prodibio products for the next two months and see how my tank responds.

My current parameters are:
Ca - 420ppm
Alk - 10dkh
ph - 8.05 to 8.3
NO3 - not detectable
PO4 - .040 (not detectable on Seachem)

I'm still noticing decent growth. I'll post some updated pics sometime in the next few days.

 

[TryTheChi]

Thanks for the update - any pics?

Cheers

SImon

 

[LadyReefNeck]

Bit late on reading this thread, but glad you had success removing the gorilla crabs. I just went through the same thing a couple of weeks ago with some LR I purchased from a local reefer. I ended up having to chisel a section of rock away to capture it. It was the size of the palm of my hand. :eek2:

He's living in an eel tank at a LFS now.

Nice setup BTW.:thumbsup:

 

[jnarowe]

Well I think that gorilla will go nicely with some clarified butter, don't you??

Floridiot Man you are whipping that tank around a bit. I don't think you can expect results like iwan's without a very long-term focus and really his tank is a combination of many factors beyond the Prodibio products.

You may also have a lot of PO4 bound up in the rockwork and sandbed which will slowly leach out and give your better grade testing something to find for a long while. You do have consistent results showing a decrease of .005 in 2 months. Do you think you might drop another .005 in the next 2 months?

 

[Floridiot]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7315398#post7315398 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe

Floridiot Man you are whipping that tank around a bit. I don't think you can expect results like iwan's without a very long-term focus and really his tank is a combination of many factors beyond the Prodibio products.

You may also have a lot of PO4 bound up in the rockwork and sandbed which will slowly leach out and give your better grade testing something to find for a long while. You do have consistent results showing a decrease of .005 in 2 months. Do you think you might drop another .005 in the next 2 months? [/B]

I'm not expecting to achieve 'Iwan type' results by any means of the imagination. I'm just testing to see if Prodibio's products reduce phosphate levels as they claim. As far as whipping the tank around, I've done my best to keep things as stable as possible. The Ca levels were dropping due to my make-up water, so I needed to bring them up.

I have no sandbed, so there can be no PO4 leaching from it. The rock technically could have PO4 trapped in it, but it is unlikely due to the fact it was new LR purchased in Oct '05 and was never in a high PO4 system. I really doubt that is the case.

I have recorded a .005 drop in PO4 levels, but that is within the margin of accuracy of the testing equipment. The test is a colormetric test which is accurate to a + or - of .002 ppm total phospherous (which is basically + or - .006 ppm PO4).

I will run two months with no Prodibio and run another PO4 test in early July. Thanks for the compliment reefneck, and I will post pics soon, Simon.

 

[jnarowe]

Hey i meant no insult by my post.

It's hard to keep a tank stable when it's new anyway. Believe me, I know it all too well. As an example, the pocillopora frags I got in with my rock are all gone having been smothered by hair algae. Total shame on me!

I mis-read the numbers. .005 would not be meaningful at all. I have been thinking about getting a colorimeter for myself. There are a couple that may be OK but I have no experience with them. From what I understand from your posts, you aren't doing the testing right? So the colorimeter is not yours? If it is I could use some pointers on the different makes and models.