I'm the worst reefer ever.

I have a 12" deep RDSB, with a fuge. The fuge has chaeto which doesn't grow at all, and mangroves that grow very slowly. In fact, aside from some stubborn carpet-like stuff on the rocks, I get very little algae growth of any kind.

I've tested my freshly mixed salt, and no detectable nitrates or po4. In fact, my RO/DI is still putting out 0 TDS water and we're coming up on a year on the DI - still looks like it has 3-4 months left in it.

I'm down to thinking it's either the rock or the sand. Since the rock all came from my old system that didn't have any problems, I'm thinking the sand in the tank or RDSB is f*ed.

At any rate, I'm cutting my losses with it and going to start parting out stuff to get the frag system running. I decided on a 4'x22"x8" acrylic tank. Hopefully by the time I put in the 8' tank in my kitchen I'll have some serious frags.
 
Found it... Faulty temp sensor on the Ac Jr. Read 85.7 this afternoon, actual temp was 79.3. At night, it was dropping to somewhere around 72 by my calculations.. :(

Oh well, at least I know...
 
Yea that would cause it, well at least now you know that it was not a no3 or po4 problem. Question on my RK controller i have the temp shuting off my lights if the temp goes above 82, does yours not have that. This how i found out my temp probe was faulty, but mine read 98, but i knew this couldnt be true lol. Well glad you found the problem, but wasnt your heater kicking on at all at night?
 
Ah crap, I think I trust the cheapo alcohol thermometers the most. You still tearing everything down now? Hopefully it's at least a little liberating knowing at least was a big contributer to your issues.
 
Would those temps really cause that serious of a problem for you? I try to keep my 56 gallon tank at that temp, actually. I have two seahorses in the tank, and I don't want them to have problems with bacteria.
 
It was the tank trying to bring the temps back down, so I was seeing a 6-7 degree temp swing every day. That's a lot, especially if its 72 at the low to 80-81 at the high.
 
Greg, I don't think he does, just using the ambient air(air conditioning) to keep things cool. I had the temp. probe bug hit me last year, it took me about a month to realize that what it was, my coralife digital thermometer was about 11 degrees off, was reading 78 and was actually about 89-90. Never dawned on me why the water felt so warm when I put my hands in the tank. Have a good one guys, hope you both can make it to the next meeting, working on coordinating it right now.
Matt
 
Hey Matt -

Just seems like a large swing for 130 plus gallons of water off just room A/C and lights. I have a RANCO temp controller but still have a floating "old school" thermometer in there as a verification.
 
Greg, if I don't run my AC, I would have swings like that. Since it has been cool at night, I have been letting the window open at night to help cool it and to give it some fresh air to help with the pH.
Matt
 
I run a fan right over my sump, and with my T5 and my a/c my temp is consistant at 78.2-78.3, however my ph is a different story its just so LOW lol lol.
 
Ug... ordered a replacement temp sensor. Even the calibration isn't holding well. The tank temp is within range, but I have to constantly check it.
 
Yep i did that for a couple days till my new temp sensor came in, and it sucks lol. Hang in there it will get easier.
 
Got the new probe today... My thermo was off by nearly 15 degrees. My backup was off by almost 7. The $1.79 strip thermometer from Petsmart was accurate.

This explains why my sulfur reactor never really worked well - they are very sensitive to low temps. Tank is at 76.7 this morning, very slowly coming up.
 
My tank reached 75 today and I'm freaking out on how to slowly get it down! I'll never be on the same page as you guys...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
FS: I'm getting out...everything must go...
Replies
4
Views
2K
scaast
S
bfortune76
Nutrient balance struggle.
Replies
1
Views
598
reefgeezer
R
S
nutrient export need upgrade or tweak on 40g setup
Replies
11
Views
1K
reefteaser
reefteaser
M
Some corals turning Neon Green?
Replies
4
Views
756
meverha1
M
P
Food for thought reefers...rinse your frozen food.
Replies
11
Views
2K
Pogue
P
Back
Top