JCPatella's 90g Reef Build

[jcpatella]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11555551#post11555551 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
Absolutely.

Thank you for the information on kalk. I'd love to go the way of a calc reactor but

1) They're expensive
2) I probably don't need calc dosing yet with my system
3) They're expensive

You've given me motivation to have a fun picture-taking night tonight. Last night was a rather drab night, so we'll make up for it tonight. STAY TUNED!

 

[jcpatella]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11556464#post11556464 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sanababit
hello jc, great thread, nice tank too, i see that you just started at this hobby and hope you enjoy it as much as i have so far, i read about fish having ich, have you tried garlic yet???.

sana

I'm using it every day. I've been tirelessly crushing cloves, but I'm going to the LFS tonight to pick up some prepared garlic drop stuff.

 

[jcpatella]

reeftanks6 - I'm using Hydor Koralia 3 and 4 (it's in my Current Tanks info)

Lilchris - yes, I have my front door near the tank (and windows). I had my windows and door open all weekend, but then again I was painting all weekend. As previously recommended, I may run the skimmer's airline to an outside source.

On the list for tonight:
-Baking Soda (baked to your pleasure)
-Garlic extract
-Food for the corals (suggestions?)
-CORALS!!!!! (Rics, zoas, Jackie's expensive selection, etc)

I feel bad that the thread's been more of a serious tone lately. I've fallen short of my pic/post ratio, so I've got some fun plans for tonight!!!! Let's just say the wifey's picking up an apron for the event!!!!!!

 

[fambrough]

Ooo! I can't wait! Can Jackie get an apron with some white frilly fringe and a big bow?

Seriously though, thanks for the reminder of your names. It's good to have you on the boards Josh and Jackie. My name is Ben.

Have fun picking out the corals!

 

[bohlke]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11557491#post11557491 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jcpatella
Thank you for the information on kalk. I'd love to go the way of a calc reactor but

1) They're expensive
2) I probably don't need calc dosing yet with my system
3) They're expensive

You've given me motivation to have a fun picture-taking night tonight. Last night was a rather drab night, so we'll make up for it tonight. STAY TUNED!

Thats why Randy's two part is so great, my investment of $35 for dowflake has given me a lifetime supply of ca supplement. Its safe and cheap, hard to beat I have read that the proper Ca and Alk levels can actually help with soft coral growth (maybe its because it helps maintain pH?) really not sure.

 

[jcpatella]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11557609#post11557609 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fambrough
Ooo! I can't wait! Can Jackie get an apron with some white frilly fringe and a big bow?

ARE there other aprons?

 

[melev]

You are right about calcium reactors being expensive. Which is why people have dripped kalk instead to save money. Yes, you definitely save money, with somewhat of a hassle, somewhat messy, and definitely risky.

The next alternative would be to dose a two part additive. I used to use ESV's B-Ionic (and I also tried the two part C-Balance for a while) to maintain Alk, Ca, pH and other minor elements. It works great, but you have to do it every day - every day of the year. It takes a whopping minute of your time and keeps the numbers rock solid, but after doing that in my 29g and 55g for more than 2800 dosings, I was happy to use a calcium reactor on my 280g reef. (2800 = 2 daily doses for 2 tanks for more than 2 years)

Randy's two part recipe that bohlke mentioned will definitely save you money by comparison, and is a good DIY that many have chosen to use. You do have to dose it daily. You can find the supplies locally, or order it online.

 

[cannarella]

Melev I was just looking at your site this morning and saw that you used the b-ionic. How mant dosing cup fulls would you use when dosing the 55? I am thinking of ordering some but want to get an idea of how much I would go through. Could you dose the b-ionic through a dosing pump?

 

[melev]

I think it was one full cup (30ml) per day on the 55g, <b>of each part.</b> The best way to get B-Ionic and save money is to buy the 2-pack Quart bottles, as those are so easy to use on a daily basis. They come with the dosing cups. Then you can order the two 1 gallon containers to refill the quart bottles. Or if you feel you'll be using it long term, you can order two 5g buckets of the stuff online for about $120 (including shipping). When it arrives, you'll add RO/DI water to each bucket and mix it up like crazy. They ship it in the buckets in concentrated form, but it is only like 2" worth in each bucket. It isn't heavy (shipping) until you add all that water.

I've seen a B-Ionic dosing station. It is an acrylic stand, a couple of rubbermaid containers, tubing, and two pumps. It was pretty expensive when I saw it, considering what you got, but if you wanted something to dose your tank for a week at a time it might be the gizmo for you.

Dosing pumps are great as long as they are set up correctly. I know quite a few people that use them for all kinds of stuff: dosing product, topping off their tank, doing water changes! Crazy. With the new Profilux controller, you can connect up to 12 dosing pumps.

 

[jefnalyssa]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11554650#post11554650 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
I don't recommend using kalkwasser. If you were worried about baking soda, you should be terrified of kalkwasser.

Once you get the baking soda, spread it out on a cookie sheet and put it in the oven at 350 degrees for 60 minutes. Once it is done, pull it out, let it cool, then carefully transfer it into a small resealable container. Now you've got a year's worth of alkalinity & pH raising buffer on hand.

Sorry in advance not trying to hijack. Why must you bake the stuff before you use it?

 

[fambrough]

two part

two part

How much b-ionic or two part you go through depends upon your existing levels and the demand of your system. A cup a day on a 55 sounds like a lot to me.

I switched from b-ionic to Randy's recipe not all that long ago (I use recipe number one) and I'm very happy that I did. Why buy when you can make your own? I can keep up with trace elements through water changes. Also, the reef chemistry calculator is just the greatest thing, you really have to use it. Enter your water volume, your existing levels, your desired levels and the product your are dosing...and viola. It will tell you how much you need to add. It will also tell you your approximate rate of consumption base on the above and what type of demand you have.

Here's the link: http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html
Click on traditional and you're on your way.

 

[melev]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11560724#post11560724 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jefnalyssa
Sorry in advance not trying to hijack. Why must you bake the stuff before you use it?

It bakes out the CO2 in the powder.

If you don't bake it, you can use it to raise Alkalinity but pH will be unaffected.

 

[melev]

Re: two part

Re: two part

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11560729#post11560729 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fambrough
How much b-ionic or two part you go through depends upon your existing levels and the demand of your system. A cup a day on a 55 sounds like a lot to me.

I'm talking about the tiny dosing cup they include on the quart bottle. It holds 30ml. When I dosed my 29g, it was about 15ml a day.

 

[jcpatella]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11559050#post11559050 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
...You do have to dose it daily....

This hobby is already time-consuming; I don't want to add more and more daily tasks that will turn this into a job I no longer enjoy. I don't mind feeding and doing daily maintenance, but I don't want to carry around a checklist everyday! I want to keep this system simple so Jackie (now that you know her name) will remain interested and can also take care of it. I'd rather stay away from the corals that will require such high demands (SPS).

In other news, Jackie swung by our LFS and got some corals!! Tonight's update is going to be a fun one! What, with the baking soda escapades and coral additions! I'm telling you, I can make the most boring post exciting.

Boring Post + Hot Girl = EXCITING

 

[melev]

Here's the real-world daily reefing checklist:

Stare at tank.
Check equipment & temperature.
Stare at livestock.
Top off water.
Feed tank.
Dose product.
Stare at livestock.
Take pictures of cool new thing.
Double check all equipment and temperature.
Stare at livestock.
Go to bed.
Repeat.

 

[fambrough]

Re: Re: two part

Re: Re: two part

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11560785#post11560785 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
I'm talking about the tiny dosing cup they include on the quart bottle. It holds 30ml. When I dosed my 29g, it was about 15ml a day.

Well now, that makes a lot more sense. I was imagining this 55 so over packed with fast growning SPS... As you can tell, I never got the quart size containers with the dosing cup!


Josh,

Dosing is easy and far from time consuming. I really enjoy it. My morning routine is get the coffee going, check the news and email with my coffee, top off my tanks with RO, dose and then feed. And then inevitably spend way too much time reading in this forum.

Can't wait for the updates tonight. I'm not sure which I'm more excited about, the apron or the corals!

:lol:

 

[jefnalyssa]

Re: Re: Re: two part

Re: Re: Re: two part

Can't wait for the updates tonight. I'm not sure which I'm more excited about, the apron or the corals!





You know its the apron. It's easy to find corals on reefcentral.

 

[bohlke]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11560797#post11560797 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jcpatella
This hobby is already time-consuming; I don't want to add more and more daily tasks that will turn this into a job I no longer enjoy. I don't mind feeding and doing daily maintenance, but I don't want to carry around a checklist everyday! I want to keep this system simple so Jackie (now that you know her name) will remain interested and can also take care of it. I'd rather stay away from the corals that will require such high demands (SPS).

I just add it in when I do topoff, some people mix it in ahead of time with your topoff water. Most likely your requirements for dosing will not change day to day so its real easy to do. I have a little glass dish thats perfect, I just fill it twice while I watch the topoff process. When I set up the ATO on my new setup I most likely will add the 2 part to the topoff water. That has worked well for me before.

 

[bohlke]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11560828#post11560828 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
Here's the real-world daily reefing checklist:

Stare at tank.
Check equipment & temperature.
Stare at livestock.
Top off water.
Feed tank.
Dose product.
Stare at livestock.
Take pictures of cool new thing.
Double check all equipment and temperature.
Stare at livestock.
Go to bed.
Repeat.

my wife says I cuddle my fish, maybe I stare a little to long......

 

[chevegan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11560828#post11560828 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
Here's the real-world daily reefing checklist:

Stare at tank.
Check equipment & temperature.
Stare at livestock.
Top off water.
Feed tank.
Dose product.
Stare at livestock.
Take pictures of cool new thing.
Double check all equipment and temperature.
Stare at livestock.
Go to bed.
Repeat.

-

A-friggin-men lol