Tucson reef tank
- Thread starter ADVRESOURCE
- Start date
dave.m
Active member
Several possibilities:
1). Salt mix problem as jbvdhp suggests. Bad batch, maybe?
2). Salt not mixed completely.
3). Time to clean/replace RO/DI filter units?
4). Bacterial problem in ATO lines/vessels.
That last one has felled a number of people here on RC. Run hot water with bleach through all lines and vessels in a 10:1 mixture. Then rinse with a dechlorinator, and then finally rinse with fresh RO/DI water.
Dave.M
1). Salt mix problem as jbvdhp suggests. Bad batch, maybe?
2). Salt not mixed completely.
3). Time to clean/replace RO/DI filter units?
4). Bacterial problem in ATO lines/vessels.
That last one has felled a number of people here on RC. Run hot water with bleach through all lines and vessels in a 10:1 mixture. Then rinse with a dechlorinator, and then finally rinse with fresh RO/DI water.
Dave.M
ADVRESOURCE
New member
Dave, I get saltwater from lfs. I don't mix for the reasons you described.
ADVRESOURCE
New member
I'll pour some of the salt water from the canister into a clear glass and see whether the fresh saltwater is clear or cloudy.
ADVRESOURCE
New member
Did some light Rc reading and found that it's calcium precipitation due to the heat. Living in Arizona and my storage room being non air conditioned, it's hot. Very hot. Thus, precipitation in the vinyl tubing. I will keep watch and clean with vinegar water as necessary. Checking ca alk ang mg almost daily.
Due to the limited, slow flow of the apex dos, I can drip around 30 gal in24 hours. Good for a water change but, not great for water exchange between Dt and acclimation tank. Have to account for evaporation when cooling fan is on. Thus, had to have a differential between filling and draining water since tank is so small. Figured that out today, was a process, then I have equal parts when lights and fan are off. We'll see and adjust accordingly.
Due to the limited, slow flow of the apex dos, I can drip around 30 gal in24 hours. Good for a water change but, not great for water exchange between Dt and acclimation tank. Have to account for evaporation when cooling fan is on. Thus, had to have a differential between filling and draining water since tank is so small. Figured that out today, was a process, then I have equal parts when lights and fan are off. We'll see and adjust accordingly.
Ricardo18
New member
I use Genesis for water changes and the "dump" water goes directly to my QT tank (instead of down the sewer)...so both tanks get a water change
Dgonzo_600rr
New member
looking good. crazy to see how it all develops. I've seen you're frags in the store many times and to see them in your tank is gratifying! hope it looks just as good in person as it does in the pictures!
ADVRESOURCE
New member
Thanks. Dialing everything in. Hopefully, everything will go smoothly in the transition to the DT.
ADVRESOURCE
New member
Ricardo, That would be ideal. I'm doing only 2.5 gal per day in my DT. My goal is to have my 20 gal Acclimation tank the same parameters as my DT. Thus, I slowly recirculate 30 gallons a day to my 20 gallon acclimation tank from my DT. I don't really want to keep up the chemical parameters and testing on two tanks. I auto dose the DT, currently.
If I did it by dumping water to the accl tank during DT water changes, I would only get a 2.5 gal/day exchange.
Is my rationale faulty?
Ricardo18
New member
Correct..what you take out of the DT is what goes into your AT.
30 gallons out means 30 gallons in /2.5 gallons out means 2.5 gallons in.It's just up to you how much turn-over you need in the AT.
The nice thing is that what is going into your AT is good,bacteria rich water.
Just watch the salinity from time to time in the AT..as it will rise very slowly due to less evaporation RO top-off .All the other parameters in your AT will be spot on with your DT parameters. (but do verify occasionally)
ADVRESOURCE
New member
Yes, Thanks. I will check parameters periodically and salinity more often. With the excessive supply and moderate return in the AT...using the sump for auto top off...I was hoping the evaporation and resupply of RODI would be sufficient through the sump. Time will tell...just a hypothesis!:spin2:
ADVRESOURCE
New member
That's a great setup. Mine was a little of an after thought. I would like to have a drilled pipe so that I don't have to use a pump to balance DT to AT and AT to DT flows. I have high and low level float switches so that I don't get a dry AT tank or water on the floor. But, the adjustment to and from AT is a pain since it has to take into consideration evaporation and pump calibration errors. I've never had a low AT tank water but, the rear return area gets low.
I use an evaporate cooling fan to maintain temperature. Unfortunately, lots of evaporation in a day. Plus, I just put a dehumidifier in and it takes water from the air which is being replaced with my tank water. Vicious cycle...:uhoh3:
ADVRESOURCE
New member
Good new though. The rogue blue green chromis that I thought died had jumped into the return area in back of the AT. I found him swimming and eating by the return pump. Probably, his new home!!!
ADVRESOURCE
New member
We'll...I have finalized the adjustment for the Accl Tank flow between DT and AT. Between evaporation and dosing pump calibration, I have differential of 1.25 gallons excess going into the AT. The back of the AT remains pretty constant. The front of the tank always remains good.
After I transfer all of the corals to the DT in a few months, I will have the AT drilled and drained back to the DT. That way I can just use a pump and not doser for water exchange.
I may use the DOS for MG and maybe to perform specific amount of flow through my CA Reactor. Have to research that technique more thoroughly.
Alk 9.0 CA 520 MG 1470 Nitrate 0 Phos 0 and NH3: 0
Still Dosing Alk only. Trying to get to 9.5 or 10.
After I transfer all of the corals to the DT in a few months, I will have the AT drilled and drained back to the DT. That way I can just use a pump and not doser for water exchange.
I may use the DOS for MG and maybe to perform specific amount of flow through my CA Reactor. Have to research that technique more thoroughly.
Alk 9.0 CA 520 MG 1470 Nitrate 0 Phos 0 and NH3: 0
Still Dosing Alk only. Trying to get to 9.5 or 10.
ADVRESOURCE
New member
Changed Phosban and Carbon today. Cleaning Max Gyre. Reading the PAR on AT.
Frag's in AT. Waiting another couple of months to transfer to DT.
Frag's in AT. Waiting another couple of months to transfer to DT.
ADVRESOURCE
New member
Added a cleanup crew of snails. Cleaned most of the golden brown algae overnight. Tested Alk with Hanna. The measurements were consistently low. 7.6dkh. The RPI test kit shows 9.0. Going to take water to LFS for a 3rd opinion.
Ricardo18
New member
That's what I do when I do not like my test result...keep on testing 'till I get the number I want!
ADVRESOURCE
New member
Well, HANNA seems more accurate. The LFS uses API also, and they're kit also read between 7 and 8. Still dosing with the ALK Soda Ash. Also, dialing in my Ca Reactor today. 100 bpm and 50mls/min affluent. Using PH controller. Waiting to get to ph 6.5. Will check ALK and PH of affluent. Will continue to dose until CA and ALK are balanced.
