I need EXPERT advice! I am about to give up.
- Thread starter dstalfire
- Start date
Travis L. Stevens
New member
Also, once you have your filter unit, test the TDS of it. Then use this formula to find out your Rejection Rate:
100 - ((X/Y)100) = Z
X = Filtered Water's TDS
Y = Tap Water's TDS
Z = Rejection Rate (In Percentage)
For example, we have some tap water that reads 500 ppm on the TDS Meter. After it has been filtered, it's at a meager 20 ppm on the TDS Meter. So, we plug those numbers in: 100 - ((20/500)100) = Z. Simplify that a little to: 100 - ((.04)100) = Z. Break it down a little more 100 - 4 = Z. Another step: 96=Z. Finally, we now know that Z is 96. So, your rejection rate is 96%
Given the above formula, your refrigerator only rejects 23% of the stuff that goes through it. Yuck
100 - ((X/Y)100) = Z
X = Filtered Water's TDS
Y = Tap Water's TDS
Z = Rejection Rate (In Percentage)
For example, we have some tap water that reads 500 ppm on the TDS Meter. After it has been filtered, it's at a meager 20 ppm on the TDS Meter. So, we plug those numbers in: 100 - ((20/500)100) = Z. Simplify that a little to: 100 - ((.04)100) = Z. Break it down a little more 100 - 4 = Z. Another step: 96=Z. Finally, we now know that Z is 96. So, your rejection rate is 96%
Given the above formula, your refrigerator only rejects 23% of the stuff that goes through it. Yuck
cwegescheide
YOU have been ignored!
WOW!!!! LFS 758!!! Good move getting your own RO/DI.
This should have a great positive impact in your reef. I'd be doing regular large water changes for a few months.
Good luck,
Chris
This should have a great positive impact in your reef. I'd be doing regular large water changes for a few months.
Good luck,
Chris
Chupakabra-King
Mmmmmm Goats !
Sounds like the LFS was screwing you and not using any lube !
Sheeeshhhhh , 758 ! Might as well have been using muddy water !
Sheeeshhhhh , 758 ! Might as well have been using muddy water !
smorrow5773
New member
You didn't test premixed saltwater from the lfs did you? You need to test freshwater tds.
According to the above formula I am rejecting64% with my new filter. The filter I got is
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...sPageName=MERC_VIC_RSCC_Pr4_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...sPageName=MERC_VIC_RSCC_Pr4_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT
Try the following:
1. Cut down on feeding. Try cutting down by 50%
2. Not all R/O water is equally free of nutrients. Consider adding a dionization chamber if you don't already have one.
3. Reduce the frequency of water changes to once every two weeks. If you have less than clean water as your source, your high frequency of water changes will be accentuating the problem.
4. Cut back the length of time you have your lights running and consider turning off your compacts completely.
I've found that deep sand beds can harbor nutrients and re-release them back into your system over time. As a result, the changes you make above may take several weeks to take effect. Persevere and you will see results.
Good Luck!
1. Cut down on feeding. Try cutting down by 50%
2. Not all R/O water is equally free of nutrients. Consider adding a dionization chamber if you don't already have one.
3. Reduce the frequency of water changes to once every two weeks. If you have less than clean water as your source, your high frequency of water changes will be accentuating the problem.
4. Cut back the length of time you have your lights running and consider turning off your compacts completely.
I've found that deep sand beds can harbor nutrients and re-release them back into your system over time. As a result, the changes you make above may take several weeks to take effect. Persevere and you will see results.
Good Luck!
Travis L. Stevens
New member
It sounds like you either have a faulty unit or a previously used unit. For that "type" of filter, I would be extremely upset if I was getting 80-85% Rejection Rate. I could deal with it if I was getting 90%, but I would strive for 95% or better.
Chihuahua6
Premium Member
ROTFLMAO!!!! :lol:
Me No Nemo
Premium Member
If you are buying water from an LFS...make the investment in a tds meter. I recently worked with a couple that just couldn't get rid of their algae problem. They were refered to me as "a last resort" before breaking down their tank for good. After all the usual tests showed nitrates and phosphates, through the roof, I had them bring me a sample of their RO water they were getting from another LFS. The reading was 210. Please...be sure of what you are getting. Also, always check the salinity before adding. Before I owned my store I was buying my water from a lfs. Luckily I checked it before adding it ...salinity 0...it was supposed to be saltwater premade. A good lfs will not mind if you ask for a tds meter reading of their water. I have my RO/DI units where customers can check them with a dual in/out meter anytime they want. After several months of quality water changes that couple's tank is right back to where they wanted it....no algae in sight. Just a heads up...I've seen this way too many times.
Travis L. Stevens
New member
If you read previous comments, he got a TDS meter and tested his LFSs water already. It was testing at 700+
Me No Nemo
Premium Member
Yes...I was just giving a general warning to all after reading that. Unfortunately, many tank owners, especially new ones, wouldn' t think to check.
Travis L. Stevens
New member
AH! I see. :thumbsup:
I can't beleive the water I was buying was that high, and what bugs me most is every week I was in htere telling them of my massive hair algae problem and asking what I could do about it.
I went and bought an RO/DI unit and will be doing all my own water changes and mixing. Do you think my hair algae will go away?
I went and bought an RO/DI unit and will be doing all my own water changes and mixing. Do you think my hair algae will go away?
Travis L. Stevens
New member
Eventually. It will take lots of time and strict maitenance. The whole reduced feedings, shortened photoperiod, increased maual removal, and water changes (with good water) will eventually succeed. This could take several months for it to be completely gone though, so be patient.
I didnt read every post but, I had hair algea everywhere. The way I was able to get rid of it for the most part, was to take every rock that was covered in it and scrub it with a tooth brush and rinse it really well. You have to be careful when removing it because it can spread really easily, this is a long process and is very tedious, but you will be amazed at how well it works, and after about a month or so, it is almost completely gone. I am sure I have a nitrate problem but dont have alot of corals just yet and this worked.
Me No Nemo
Premium Member
A couple suggestions:
• Use a turkey baster to "blow out" the detritius in and on your rocks. This is feeds the algae
• Use a PURA filter pad in your filtration system to pull the dissolved solids and fine particle matter from the water
• In truly bad cases, a Large Hawaiian sea hare can take care of the problem in a week or so. These are bout 3-4 inches long and have a voracious appetite. Pass the fellow on to a fellow reefer when your hair algae problem is gone as they will starve without a good source of algae.
GL, Marcye
• Use a turkey baster to "blow out" the detritius in and on your rocks. This is feeds the algae
• Use a PURA filter pad in your filtration system to pull the dissolved solids and fine particle matter from the water
• In truly bad cases, a Large Hawaiian sea hare can take care of the problem in a week or so. These are bout 3-4 inches long and have a voracious appetite. Pass the fellow on to a fellow reefer when your hair algae problem is gone as they will starve without a good source of algae.
GL, Marcye
Travis L. Stevens
New member
Good suggestion, but it won't completely git rid of all the nutrients. Of course, dstalfire is now doing everything in his power to eliminate it. If someone was going to just use a sea hare, then the algae would eventually come back. You would need to find a way to export the sea hare's waste. They usually produce a large amount.
Also, it's a good idea to try to find one that will accept Nori. This way when it clears all of your tank (and everyone else's) then you can feed it Nori so it won't die or until you find a more suitable home.
