LaCl Reactor

[slief]

I normally would not speak of personal issues but I feel it may be time so you guys can know what I'm dealing with and what/who you are dealing with. lol About a month ago, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. My memory is very poor now and there are other issues too which I won't get in to. So, I'm struggling with the DT and keeping all the tanks at a level that is conducive to coral and fish health. I had my first appointment Monday and I have several more scheduled. A little over 4 years ago, I had colon cancer...that increases the risk that the tumor may be cancer. However, I am a fighter and truly believe that the tumor is NOT cancerous. I will get through this :0) I just hope that something can be done to improve my memory and overall level of functioning so I can get back to a more 'normal' life ;0)

So moving along...I TRUELY APPRECIATE the help ALL of you have been giving me. Your input and, responses to my questions have been "tank-saving" due to my memory lapses...like cleaning the sandbed :0) So PLEASE, speak up as I need your guidance until I can get back to a better level :0) "I promise" I won't take offense to your remarks :0) I need all the help I can get right now :0) I "Thank God" that you all have been so patient with me :0) THANK YOU ALL!!!

Wow.. I'm so sorry to hear that! I wish you the best with your situation and will be praying for you! On the bright side of things, these minor struggles you are dealing with on your reef tanks surely have to help in keeping you and your mind busy.

Best wishes Terri! You will be in my thoughts and prayers!

 

[terri_ann]

Thanks Slief ;0) I do keep busy. As far as the mind, I think it's a goner! lol

I'm taking a break right now. I plan to test within the half hour to see where the PO4 is. Tomorrow I plan to do about a 30g WC on the DT. Saturday or Sunday I will do another to try to get the NO3 down. I'll also syphon out the fuge section in the sump. It will take some time to work at the sandbed but I will get it done :0)

 

[terri_ann]

.0767 Yay!!! FINALLY!!! That said, I'm going to leave it there and test before the WC. I'm thinking I may need to adjust my maintenance dose but unsure. I may need to turn the reactor off since I will be doing WC's for the NO3....

 

[terri_ann]

I did test 'before' the 30g WC. The result had not changed: .0767 I will test soon as I thought I'd take a break :0)

It had been 3 weeks since I had done a WC. I was curious about the salinity since it had been so long since the WC. The salinity was at 32ppm :9( I keep it at 35ppm so that's how much was exported via the skimmer Those of you that don't do weekly WC, how do you keep the salinity up?

I will test NO3 and PO4. I need to mix up another gallon of LaCl solution as the jug is almost empty. I did work on the sandbed where I could use the turkey baster. I couldn't see any detritus, just a thick cloud of white...not grey. It will be interesting to see what the test results are after stirring up the sand....

 

[ReefKeeper64]

I did test 'before' the 30g WC. The result had not changed: .0767 I will test soon as I thought I'd take a break :0)

It had been 3 weeks since I had done a WC. I was curious about the salinity since it had been so long since the WC. The salinity was at 32ppm :9( I keep it at 35ppm so that's how much was exported via the skimmer Those of you that don't do weekly WC, how do you keep the salinity up?

I will test NO3 and PO4. I need to mix up another gallon of LaCl solution as the jug is almost empty. I did work on the sandbed where I could use the turkey baster. I couldn't see any detritus, just a thick cloud of white...not grey. It will be interesting to see what the test results are after stirring up the sand....

Congrats getting your PO4 back under 0.10.

Most keep their salinity in check by adding a slightly concentrated amount of saltwater mixture back. This is what I do anyway via auto water changer.

Please post some updated pictures of your display tank. I feel like I know your water parameters too well not to know what the tank is looking like.

 

[watsonj]

After reading your thread I have been wanting to have a proper LaCl reactor and converted a next reef reactor setup I had lying around I setup it up today works great
water goes in right reactor and LaCL is dosed in to mixing chamber and then effluent passes through second chamber that is filled with floss.

Untitled by watsonj0, on Flickr
Untitled by watsonj0, on Flickr

Untitled by watsonj0, on Flickr

Untitled by watsonj0, on Flickr

Untitled by watsonj0, on Flickr

Untitled by watsonj0, on Flickr

 

[terri_ann]

PO4: .0643 NO3: 20-30ppm (API) I am wondering if I should turn the reactor off since I'm doing these WC's? Or, if I should change the time or leave it at 15 every 1:30?

Insomniac and Worm,
Are you out there??!!

 

[terri_ann]

Congrats getting your PO4 back under 0.10.

Most keep their salinity in check by adding a slightly concentrated amount of saltwater mixture back. This is what I do anyway via auto water changer.

Please post some updated pictures of your display tank. I feel like I know your water parameters too well not to know what the tank is looking like.

Thanks Chris I will test the salinity more often now with not doing weekly WC's. I will just make up a slurry and then slowly add it to the sump to keep it in check. I don't have an auto water changer but I do have an auto topff

I'm getting a little frustrated by not having stability yet with the tank I worry that the instability is affecting many of the SPS's. Anyway Chris, I will see what I can do about a pic of the tank :0) I just got the camera so I'm not the best at taking pictures:facepalm:

 

[terri_ann]

After reading your thread I have been wanting to have a proper LaCl reactor and converted a next reef reactor setup I had lying around I setup it up today works great
water goes in right reactor and LaCL is dosed in to mixing chamber and then effluent passes through second chamber that is filled with floss.

Untitled by watsonj0, on Flickr
Untitled by watsonj0, on Flickr

Untitled by watsonj0, on Flickr

Untitled by watsonj0, on Flickr

Untitled by watsonj0, on Flickr

Untitled by watsonj0, on Flickr

Good luck Watson! Take it slow. What size tank do you have? What is your starting PO4?

 

[watsonj]

Good luck Watson! Take it slow. What size tank do you have? What is your starting PO4?

I am actually running this while I cure my live rock initially phosphorus is over 200ppb on the ulr kit rock is curing in 150 gall of water, system is 500 gallons

Jon

 

[ReefKeeper64]

Thanks Chris I will test the salinity more often now with not doing weekly WC's. I will just make up a slurry and then slowly add it to the sump to keep it in check. I don't have an auto water changer but I do have an auto topff

I'm getting a little frustrated by not having stability yet with the tank I worry that the instability is affecting many of the SPS's. Anyway Chris, I will see what I can do about a pic of the tank :0) I just got the camera so I'm not the best at taking pictures:facepalm:

try adding a 1/2 cup of salt mix to your top off water now and then. That's even easier

 

[watsonj]

On another forum a member is saying that etching of the aquarium glass is a risk with Lacl and low 02 causing fish death. Can anyone comment on this?

 

[terri_ann]

I am actually running this while I cure my live rock initially phosphorus is over 200ppb on the ulr kit rock is curing in 150 gall of water, system is 500 gallons

Jon

Oh My! A big'un So I understand correctly, you are curing and treating for PO4 at the same time, in a separate container or in the tank?

 

[terri_ann]

try adding a 1/2 cup of salt mix to your top off water now and then. That's even easier

Really?! That is easier:lol2: And it is a slower increase than adding a slurry...I get impatient that way as I add, wait awhile, test, add...you get the drift:lol: It was nice that I got the salinity up in both tanks today...35ppm:thumbsup:

 

[terri_ann]

On another forum a member is saying that etching of the aquarium glass is a risk with Lacl and low 02 causing fish death. Can anyone comment on this?

Wow Jon, I haven't heard of that! I heard that a white film/crust can appear on the glass and/or acrylic. I have an acrylic tank and have not had any sign of it. As far as fish, Zebrasoma's have been known to be effected...death. There have been other deaths attributed to LaCl but it appears that it has been caused by an overdose or free LaCl getting into the tank.

I have a blue regal and purple tang and have seen no ill effects in either. No deaths what-so-ever that I can say was caused by dosing.

 

[watsonj]

Oh My! A big'un So I understand correctly, you are curing and treating for PO4 at the same time, in a separate container or in the tank?

In a separate container.

 

[SPotter]

I have read the same thing about the film on glass and acrylic. I think its more of an issue if you're dosing directly into the dt as some people on other forums have done (do not do this). I know guys that have been dosing Lacl via various methods but all have been with the use of excellent filter socks or in part of their sumps where there is plenty of opportunity for any precipitate to be caught before reaching the dt.

 

[terri_ann]

.08 for Sunday's test...dose still set at 15 every 1:30

Will be doing another WC later today for nitrates ;0)

 

[terri_ann]

Did another large WC today for NO3. API test shows about 20ppm now. Salifert test should come tomorrow :0)

PO4 tested at .11 I just don't understand why the PO4 goes up after a WC?! It doesn't with my other tanks and my RO/DI tests 0 for everything. Also, the CA is back up to 500ppm :9(

 

[ReefKeeper64]

Did another large WC today for NO3. API test shows about 20ppm now. Salifert test should come tomorrow :0)

PO4 tested at .11 I just don't understand why the PO4 goes up after a WC?! It doesn't with my other tanks and my RO/DI tests 0 for everything. Also, the CA is back up to 500ppm :9(

You have plenty of PO4 and NO3 so the limiting factor in your case is being carbon limited. Water changes do little for NO3 reduction in larger tanks but they are an easy and cost effective tool for smaller tanks where with enough replacement you are OK. For a larger tank like yours, you want your system to be able to maintain PO4 and NO3 water quality by itself using bacterial filtration. Have you considered the idea of buying a good quality doser? I like the GHL 3 pump unit with built in controller. Then you can start dosing vinegar safety. With this, your PO4 and NO3 will drop and most importantly they will stay low. You can also use the second pump head to dose LaCL - works great. Your fish and corals will thank you! Just a thought since you seem to be so passionate about your tank.