Higher Calcium Level for SPS Growth? (vs Health)

[Wally.B]

Don't you mean .14?

Ooops. You are right. PO4=0.14 ppm

 

[Wally.B]

BREAKING "The Don't Touch if it ain't Broken" Rule (DC Waveline 12,000 Installed and running on Stable Kitchen Tank)

So since my Sump Design experiment is done, I freed up the RLSS DC 12000 Waveline Return pump.

I installed it today on the Kitchen tank (which has been running fine, but NO3 getting a bit too high for my comfort (50ppm)

Before I did, I did a flow rate measurement on the Old Mag 18. It was running approx. 160 Gallons/HR on the 90 Gallon Tank (which was around 2x, which is under the 5x-10 recommended return rate) [no power heads].

When I installed the DC12000, at 10-20% position, it couldn't push the water 18 feet to the 1st floor. But at 40% it started running just over 200 Gal/hr.
Pretty powerful pump!!

I cranked up the DC12000, to max(100%) and overflow was screaming (but stable). Bit noisy (Gush and air slurping).

So I am going to hook it up to the apex and run variable.

Even going from 160 G/Hr to 200, the corals perked up. I could tell with the detritus being suspended during higher flow rates this tank really needed more (Circulation/Return Flow).

Time will tell (But I now have flexibility to run variable flow rates), and the DC pump will put less heat into the tank.

Next summer project will be to make a mini waterfall in the backyard, with the MAG 18.

 

[pauls]

Light

Light

I dunno... its always been my understanding that Mag should be 15X alk and 3X cal.. A technique i utilise at my farm and we can turn out a frag with full tile basing within 6 weeks..

DON'T FORGET TO MENTION THE KILLER ELECTRICITY BILLS. Not everyone is using extreme lighting as you. Thus the FAST coral growth.

 

[Wally.B]

TIME for a TRITON Water Test, to Eliminate possibilities... (And I have a clue about SPS tanks Health)

First, I'm holding off on the Kalk Dosing for now. Even if I do Kalk it won't be in a reactor, it will be a simple bucket version.

2nd, there is something wrong with this SPS tank. Now with the New Sump, Algae Scrubber. This Tank should be setup to near perfection (Overall Stability, Circulation, Nutrient Export, Chemistry) (BUT IT'S not, something is wrong).

So to eliminate any contaminants (in rocks, equipment, etc), I'm going to do a TRITON water test (ASAP).

However I have a clue from my Other Tank (which is doing very well). For fun (a while back).
I threw in a small Pollicipora SPS piece into my LPS Kitchen tank. Its Growing slowly, but it is super healthy.
What baffles me is the SPS piece is in Super Low Lighting, and Super High Nitrates. It shouldn't be doing well at all. Yet that same colony died in my near perfect tank.

So I wonder. Is it my lighting?
Too strong. Or something else.

I have to figure this out.

 

[markalot]

Well,

pocis's do like higher nitrates and can do well in lower light. They tend to dislike low KH or too much light and a tank that is too clean.

I am constantly surprised, as a relative newbie myself, how well light demanding corals can do in lower light as long as chemistry is good.

 

[Wally.B]

Well,

pocis's do like higher nitrates and can do well in lower light. They tend to dislike low KH or too much light and a tank that is too clean.

I am constantly surprised, as a relative newbie myself, how well light demanding corals can do in lower light as long as chemistry is good.

Maybe my Super Filtration Sump is making my tank too clean. Kind of like an Ultra Low Nutrient (ZeoVit Tank). May need more feeding of fish, etc.

Anyway, dropping off the Triton Test Sample today. Let's see what that shows.

 

[Wally.B]

KALK Dosing (On Hold), Trying FRESH AIRLINE (To Skimmer)

So as much as I like watching the Kalk Reactor Stir (A-Bomb cloud look), Kalk Dosing is Tricky (when dosing A/B/C). Tough to figure out Raise in PH, Alk, Calcicum and Magnesium.

So I'm going to try to see if PH can be raise my bringing in more oxygen via Skimmer Air Input.

Basically I'm drawing Fresh Air thru Basement window, thru a airline, into Skimmer Air Input.

Interesting to see that PH is starting to Rise. Skimmer water output is right next to PH probe.

Will watch to see how much it will help during a few days.

 

[Ricardo18]

I positioned my Skimmer intake hose to outside 3 weeks ago...and all of a sudden I went from 7.9 to a very steady 8.2 PH!

 

[Wally.B]

I positioned my Skimmer intake hose to outside 3 weeks ago...and all of a sudden I went from 7.9 to a very steady 8.2 PH!

Cool!! Thanks for validating this technique.

I've actually run two air lines, but only hooked up one tank. To compare.

If it works I'll hook up the other thank.

So far things look promising.

 

[Wally.B]

WOW!! (KITCHEN LPS TANK Corals Swelling, with DC12000 Return Pump [Extra Flow]

So I haven't been paying attention to the Kitchen tank after putting in the RLSS DC12000 Waveline.
I'm running it variable (currently peak flow is 47%). Starts screaming over 60%, but can handle 100%. with lots of gurgle (Need to add a silencer, airline tube thing)

But passing by today, I looked past the Chromis School and noticed that all the corals are really puffing up (Happy ) .
Man, my Acans which always looked so-so, now truly look like Lords. I'll get around to doing a Before-After Photo.

So as I suspected that tank was running too Low on the Return.

Wonder what this will do to my current high nitrates.

 

[Scorpius]

Fresh air to a skimmer intake will raise PH significantly over time. I went from 7.6 to a steady 8.0 windows closed to 8.3 with windows open. Co2 sucks.

 

[Wally.B]

Fresh air to a skimmer intake will raise PH significantly over time. I went from 7.6 to a steady 8.0 windows closed to 8.3 with windows open. Co2 sucks.

I don't understand your Fresh Air with Windows Closed point.

All skimmers draw Air so the only alternative to drawing air from Sump Area (that I know) is to draw air from Outside (thru open window).
A closed window, means drawing air from Sump Area to me.

Are you saying over time the Fresh Air brought you PH up to 8.0, and then higher to 8.3 when you closed window?
Sorry, I'm confused.

 

[Wally.B]

KITCHEN TANK & Closeups (After Increased Return Flow)

Forget the Before Pictures. Here is tank now with improved Return Pump.

The only downside, is things that I don't want growing, are also growing (Hairy Mushroom, Hydroids, etc)

 

[Wally.B]

FRESH AIR LINE Seal Improved (PH Continues to Rise)

So PH did increase but kind of tapered off.

I noticed the was airline leaky at the Coupler.

I improved the joint with Plumbers Tape..... and PH keeps rising.

 

[Scorpius]

I don't understand your Fresh Air with Windows Closed point.

All skimmers draw Air so the only alternative to drawing air from Sump Area (that I know) is to draw air from Outside (thru open window).
A closed window, means drawing air from Sump Area to me.

Are you saying over time the Fresh Air brought you PH up to 8.0, and then higher to 8.3 when you closed window?
Sorry, I'm confused.

We had new windows installed on our house. Air tight house=worse Co2 buildup. With the windows closed Co2 builds up due to lack of fresh air in the house. My skimmer air intake is plumbed outside to bring in fresh air.

With the windows closed, with air from the outside plumbed to my skimmer my ph sits around 8.0

With the windows open, with air from the outside plumbed to my skimmer and fresh air in the house my ph sits around 8.3+


In conclusion, having outside air for one's skimmer helps keep oxygen rich water in your aquarium helping to combat Co2. Co2 drives ph down. Having both windows open and outside air to my skimmer gives me an even better boost to my ph.

Hope this helps, sorry for any confusion and late response.

 

[Wally.B]

Thanks Scorpius,

Now it makes sense.

Double bonus with Oxygen around Tank, and Airline to Skimmer.
Window Open Option for me is only possible during Cool Spring, or Fall.

I just hooked up other tank.

I also had some left over irrigation PVC hose.
The RO airline was causing Backpressure on my skimmer. TOO THIN.
I replaced the RO line with It and a T so only 1 Run.

Now both skimmers hooked up. Better THICKER line isn't affect their performance.

Interesting to see when I unhooked the Airline for short while PH started Dropping.

However this is a bit misleading. PH Probe is right next to skimmer, so response is quick.

I figure if I put my pH probe into the Tank PH would be lower.
It will take time for the whole system to stabilize at the Higher PH level.

 

[Wally.B]

Airline PH update: (Improved Airflow Line working). Both Tanks Matching.

So the better Airflow Airline is raising PH faster. Skimmer working normal too!

I put the Probe into the Tank, and PH is the same as Next to skimmer.

So Water system is higher PH everywhere.

Also interesting to see both Tanks have EXACTLY The Same PH. Even though very different systems and locations.

 

[bif24701]

This makes me want to run a 1" line out of my garage door.

 

[Wally.B]

This makes me want to run a 1" line out of my garage door.

Go for it. Best simple improvement I've ever made for both tanks.

I actually showed the graphs to my Wife and Kids. How much CO2 we have in our house, and that airing out Bedroom before bedtime can inprove Oxygen, which means better sleep.

If anyone figures out a really good way to couple the 1" PVC hose to a skimmer tube (please share). Mine's two different Hacks.

 

[Wally.B]

Another MORE expensive way to get Fresh Air (Oxygen) into House/TANK.

(HRV/ERV). For those of us who can't open windows in Winter time.

http://www.explainthatstuff.com/heat-recovery-ventilation.html