LaCl Reactor

[worm5406]

Sure... any setting in between too. It could be in one sec inrements if you want. Keep in mind the speed of the pump that a 1 sec change will be really small. Along with a 3 sec change.

Testing daily is keeping you up to par on your skills but I do not think, after all this time, that it is benificial. If you were starting it today, then YES.

But you are already in the groove and on the right track.

Weekly testing will provide you with the results and keep you on line to making small changes to keep it at the level you want.

 

[terri_ann]

Great! I think I will try the 7:18 but not sure when. I just fed the corals again as I'm hoping the extra feeding will promote faster growth with the zoa's :0) People are bugging me for frags of them...lol! With the PO4 so low and, the NO3 at 0, I think I'm okay with the frequent feedings I've done the past 2 nights. I've wanted to feed the corals twice a week but have been very hesitant to do it due to nutrient concerns but now I just might be able too :0) I will make sure that I don't run into problems doing that though :0)

Since the son will be taking care of the tanks while we're in DC, the really low PO4 and NO3 gives the tank some cushioning if he overfeeds :=) I will put the fear of God in him about doing things right and that should help too! LOl Too much time and money spent with my tanks to see them go "crash"!

I can't thank you enough for the help, support and encouragement you've given me throughout this entire time! "Thank You!!" Insomniac and the others have been most helpful too! This has been a great resource and group of people to help me through this! I never thought I would get this far as I was ready to give up so many times with the algae issues I had for SOOO Long!

I will continue to check in though to give updates, etc. :0) Since Insomniac is doing his build, I have to follow that as well !:0) Oh, do you have pics of your tank Worm? I'd like to look if you can point me in the right direction :0)

This has been a long time in the making. I'm happy we are at point where I can back off testing so much!

 

[worm5406]

It is just a little build thread, so don't pick on it too hard.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2261473

 

[terri_ann]

OK, I won't! teehee :0)

 

[csilverio]

This has been a long time in the making. I'm happy we are at point where I can back off testing so much!

Hello Terri_ann,

I have been following your posts for a long time and I would like to congratulate you for the hard work and success you got.

After reading this, I suppose it is time for me to start the same road; I have a six years old tank full of SPSs and it is very difficult for me to controll phosphat with GFO.

But in order to be sure about what I am going to start, I would like to ask you to confirm some data:

1 - What is the lanthanum chloride concentration you are using? (5ml in 4 liters of RO water???);
2 - What is the type of SeaKlear you are using? (Concentration?);
3 - What is your tank capacity? (120 gallons??)

Thank you and once again congratulations for your excellent work.

 

[ReefKeeper64]

tagging along

 

[terri_ann]

Thank You!!

Hello Terri_ann,

I have been following your posts for a long time and I would like to congratulate you for the hard work and success you got.

After reading this, I suppose it is time for me to start the same road; I have a six years old tank full of SPSs and it is very difficult for me to controll phosphat with GFO.

But in order to be sure about what I am going to start, I would like to ask you to confirm some data:

1 - What is the lanthanum chloride concentration you are using? (5ml in 4 liters of RO water???);
2 - What is the type of SeaKlear you are using? (Concentration?);
3 - What is your tank capacity? (120 gallons??)

Thank you and once again congratulations for your excellent work.

Thank You! Yes it has been a long journey but worth it!
1 & 2. I use 20ml SeaKlear CR in 1 gallon of RO/DI water
3. I estimate my Total Water Volume (TWV) at 120 gallons

No problems experienced with any of the fish, snailsor corals :dance: I took it REALLY SLOW as I didn't want to harm any of the livestock and it helped keep my anxiety down :lol: I do not use the filter floss but instead use a 5 micron sediment filter. I also dose vinegar daily and have chaeto in the refugium.Thanks again! I couldn't have done it with out the help of Insomniac and Worm,and a few others! :bounce3:

 

[csilverio]

Hello again,

Here in Portugal, I only can get SeaKlear Phosphat Remover for Pools (not the CR one); any one knows the difference between them?

Thank you

 

[ReefKeeper64]

This is an interesting bit of experimentation you folks are doing here. I see that a German company is even selling a complete reactor kit now - impressive! This reminds me of the days when hobbyists started experimenting with a former black magic known as vodka dosing. An experiment that is now a common practice in successful tanks today. Hats off to you all.

Please post updated pictures of your successful LaCL Reactors.
:wave:

 

[nbsdsailor]

Since the free unbound lanthanum seems to be a concern, why not dose carbonate in a post po4 filtration reaction chamber to clean up any unbound free lanthanum? Or is lanthanum + carbonate as bad as lanthanum + po4 for turbidity? Just throwing an idea out there.

 

[terri_ann]

Here's a good one... I was testing my alk tonight (well last night 9/25) as I added 15/18 corals earlier this week and needed to tweek my alk doser so, I decided to check the PO4. My last test was on 9/21 with .06 as the result. The test at 10:30pm tonight was .0919! Now, I have fed the fish a little more than usual, but NOT THAT much! So I opened a new box of reagents and retested again within 5 minutes. The result .0337 !! The first reagent was well within the expiration date (2015 expires). The new reagent expires in 2016... As Bean Animal has said, testing isn't the most reliable!!

I will be doing a WC tomorrow since I will be gone for a week and want to make sure my PO4 and NO3 are at their lowest before the tank-sitter takes over! What a scary thought!!

 

[terri_ann]

Since the free unbound lanthanum seems to be a concern, why not dose carbonate in a post po4 filtration reaction chamber to clean up any unbound free lanthanum? Or is lanthanum + carbonate as bad as lanthanum + po4 for turbidity? Just throwing an idea out there.

I guess I'm not following you... are you suggesting that the unreacted LaCl will bind with carbonate? I have not had any problems with my Alk since using the LaCl. No matter what, I believe there has been or is some unreacted LaCl in my tank. I just pray that it is minimal!!

 

[ReefKeeper64]

Three days later and still no updated laCL reactor pics?

 

[insomniac2k2]

Bad time for me. This is the first time i've checked the forums in probably a week. When I'm done moving into my house, sorting out my new tank and preparing my old house for rent, I'd be happy to post more pictures. Until them, maybe others can step up.

I have posted a pretty good diagram on how to set it up though. Sorry i cant be more help right now.

Three days later and still no updated laCL reactor pics?

 

[terri_ann]

My reactor is very similar to Insomniac's. The only difference is I use the BRS Jumbo reactor for the reaction chamber and, then I use a 5 micron sediment filter in the last reactor...Insomniac uses floss. I have the water outlet at my skimmer inlet but I I use the BRS 1.1ml doser.

 

[ReefKeeper64]

My reactor is very similar to Insomniac's. The only difference is I use the BRS Jumbo reactor for the reaction chamber and, then I use a 5 micron sediment filter in the last reactor...Insomniac uses floss. I have the water outlet at my skimmer inlet but I I use the BRS 1.1ml doser.

Yes, I've been following your thread and results. Would you mind posting a cell phone picture? Thanks!

 

[terri_ann]

Well that didn't post exactly right...doh! It should have been: I have the water outlet placed in a 5 micron filter sock located just above the skimmer inlet.

 

[terri_ann]

Chris, I have no clue on how to post a cell phone pic, sorry. I'm getting ready to go on vacation but if I have a few extra minutes, I will try to take a few and post them ;0)

 

[terri_ann]

Leaving for vacation in 4 1/2 hours. See you when I get back in about a week!! Take Care everyone!

 

[worm5406]

Have fun!! LOL