OK! Enough chat...Starting a 1000g+ Reef

[michika]

The photo is great! Both fish look very pretty!

Seems like you got the best of the kalk. picks!

 

[jnarowe]

actually the shot is horrible, but thanks anyway! The tomini has a fabulous pumpkin color to it and the nigrofuscus is more of a pale blue. So hard to take the shot. I just have so much respect for those reef keepers that get stunning shots of fish. I mean the stuff that Gary and Joseph post is really incredible work.

I am very happy that I decided to look into kalkwassers as teh results are really getting me into a more positive mood for sure. Alk has been holding nicely and that really is making me happy.

 

[StripestheEel]

The Lavender Tang is gorgeous!

 

[jnarowe]

OK guys and gals...not very good news tonight about the kalkwasser testing. I have been noticing a slow decline in the "potency" of the Warner Marine kalkwasser and tonight had to dose baked baking soda.

Please keep in mind that every system is different so while it may not be working well for me now, that's not to say it wouldn't work for others. I am kind of surprised though since the system is very well tuned and I have nearly a whole canister of it in my reactor.

It does still look perfectly "white" so this goes along with our judging quality by limited residue. Here are the charts since I started with this media:

I really like these guys and enjoyed the conversation I had with them at the beginning of this "experiment" so I will look forward to trying out their calcium oxide as well. I will probably watch it and dose as needed until this weekend and then decide if I will switch out to a new media.

 

[scapes]

this all looks pretty complicated

 

[jnarowe]

It's not, but it does show a definitive trend in pH and alkalinity, rising for the first week and then tapering off. The first week was nice. The second sort of status quo, and the third losing ground.

 

[BigJay]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13376146#post13376146 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe
It's not, but it does show a definitive trend in pH and alkalinity, rising for the first week and then tapering off. The first week was nice. The second sort of status quo, and the third losing ground.

Have you taken a look at this thread:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1469700

I hope this helps some. How much kalk are you mixing in, and how much saturated limewater is going into your tank?

 

[jnarowe]

Good link...thanks!

I use a few cups when I add in the powder (nearly a whole canister), and I dose between 10 & 15 gal. per day. I realize there are differences between these products now, so that is why I am doing this "testing".

 

[BigJay]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13349298#post13349298 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe
actually the shot is horrible, but thanks anyway! The tomini has a fabulous pumpkin color to it and the nigrofuscus is more of a pale blue. So hard to take the shot. I just have so much respect for those reef keepers that get stunning shots of fish. I mean the stuff that Gary and Joseph post is really incredible work.

I just want more pics of your GSM clown, especially when she gives you the "stink eye".

Maybe you can take a vid of your next attempt to put something in your tank in a place that she doesn't agree with. :lol:

 

[jnarowe]

you can't even imagine that battle. Soon I will have an aquascaping party and try to get someone to do vid. I know it will be hilarious.

 

[jnarowe]

Well my system is a complete mess today. Got home from a PSAS frag swap last night and sometime after the first lamp turned off, my controller lost its ability to control. I hand unplugged lamps, movers, dosers, etc. so I could sleep and today have spent 4 hours re-routing stuff, getting everything running and yet I still cannot control most of the equipment. I swapped a fuse out in the DC8 (first electrical outlets in the system) but still no banana.

So my kalk reactor, CO2, etc. are all offline. I have gone through the system several times and still cannot figure out what the real problem is. I cannot stand having stuff go South so quick and not be able to figure out the problem! Not very relaxing for sure.

Vent over.

 

[michika]

That sounds super frustrating. What are you using for a controller again? Profilux?

 

[jnarowe]

nope. ACIII Pro, and I know when I talk to Curt, he will get it straightened out.

 

[Bax]

Yieks!

That's a real PITA!

I sure hope the customer support can help you out there.

 

[jnarowe]

Curt is the best in the business. I am sure we will work it out tomorrow.

 

[scapes]

you da man....I'm sure you'll be up and running in no time!!!

 

[jnarowe]

Geez, I hope so. I am in the middle of testing the Warner Marine Kalkwasser and after I discussed it losing potency, it seemed to "rebound" Friday and Saturday and now this. My stirrer isn't running so the pH has been too low all day.

Thanks for the kind words!

 

[scapes]

well, get everything working, b/c you sure have been missed!

 

[jnarowe]

well, if you or anyone wants to know, after much drinking, I now have control of 3 out of 5 of my electrical control units. I replaced the comm lines with new ones and found some bent pins inside the #2 DC4HD unit...so making slow but steady progress. If only I could figure out a way to get off the hook for bailing out the financial "markets", I would be golden.

Alk is still good.

 

[Hop]

Sure I like to know I follow the thread, just don't have time to post or anything worthy to add