Brand New 8 gallon bio cube

SashimiTurtle · Nov 25, 2018

Katrina71 said:
Am I correct in understanding the AutoAqua AWC does both wc and ato? One controller, 2 reseviors?

I'll have to do more research, but I think that is correct.

Katrina71 · Nov 25, 2018

I would rather my parameters be kept stable with a water supply vs dosing. I have been doing some reading. I think it would be more my style. Simple. Not chasing numbers quite so much.

Katrina71 · Nov 25, 2018

If I'm wrong on this, tell me! You guys are the brains here.

SashimiTurtle · Nov 25, 2018

Katrina71 said:
I would rather my parameters be kept stable with a water supply vs dosing. I have been doing some reading. I think it would be more my style. Simple. Not chasing numbers quite so much.

The one thing I would be concerned with is doing water change only, you're replacing depleted water with standard parameters. AWC helps but I'm not sure it can sustain you long term.

Ok think of it this way. You have a bowl of M&Ms. Christmas M&Ms. The red ones are your calcium and alkalinity and the green ones are everything else. Now, your corals are going to pull red ones but leave the green. Doing a water change removes an equal amount of red and green and puts back an equal amount of red and green. The problem is you don't have as many red as you do green. The longer you go and the more your corals grow, the less and less red M&Ms you have in the tank.

Scurvy · Nov 25, 2018

Theres no right or wrong answer. Itll boil down to demand, your time, cost, setup and your personal preference of course.

NY_Caveman · Nov 25, 2018

Katrina71 said:

This is super cute.

NY_Caveman · Nov 25, 2018

Katrina71 said:
If I'm wrong on this, tell me! You guys are the brains here.

Echoing Robin, AWC to address Alkalinity and Calcium is kind of like using a shotgun to get a fly. It is not exact, you are just hoping it covers your needs. An AWC runs about $200. You can pick up a Jebao DP-2 and a BRS 2 Part package for under $100 and it can be dialed in to perfectly match your depletion. This is what I did.

I tested my Alkalinity and Calcium to start the week. Then tested Alkalinity each day for five days. On the last I tested Calcium again. At the end I set up the doser based on the depletion of Alkalinity and matched Calcium to it for balanced dosing. The Calcium was a slightly different rate than my Alkalinity, but I trust the accuracy of that test less and feel Alkalinity is the more important parameter. Continued tests after starting the doser proved the Alkalinity was dead on and although Calcium wavered a bit, the range stayed in line.

NY_Caveman · Nov 25, 2018

I can add, I thought I could handle my depletion with WC and then Kalkwasser. In the end, the demand grew far faster than I expected. Water changes were not enough. Kalkwasser through the ATO was too random (tied to fluctuating evaporation rates). I had the doser to dose Kalkwasser separate from the ATO and right when I was going to set it up I decided why not just be exact and dose 2 part (I also worried I would disrupt my salinity dosing Kalkwasser separately).

Katrina71 · Nov 25, 2018

@Robin Haselden I see what you are saying. Makes sense. I still plan on water changes like normal. Wondering if I could get away with it. Hmm.

Katrina71 · Nov 25, 2018

Lots to take in. Thanks for the info and heads up!

norfolkgarden · Nov 25, 2018

A day late and 156 posts to catch up on!

Great info!

Looking forward to seeing what you chose.

How many of the tailspot blennies can you have in 1 tank?

Scurvy · Nov 25, 2018

norfolkgarden said:
A day late and 156 posts to catch up on!

Great info!

Looking forward to seeing what you chose.

How many of the tailspot blennies can you have in 1 tank?

LOL, i watched a movie last night and missed 60 myself!

brett_schn · Nov 25, 2018

Katrina71 said:
Lots to take in. Thanks for the info and heads up!

What’s up everyone. It’s been awhile. I’ve been so busy with school, sports and work. How’s the tank Katrina?

Katrina71 · Nov 25, 2018

norfolkgarden said:
A day late and 156 posts to catch up on!

Great info!

Looking forward to seeing what you chose.

How many of the tailspot blennies can you have in 1 tank?

To my understanding, just one unless they are a mated pair.

Katrina71 · Nov 25, 2018

brett_schn said:
What’s up everyone. It’s been awhile. I’ve been so busy with school, sports and work. How’s the tank Katrina?

My tank is little and boring for the most part, but I'm venturing into new things. How are you? Probably a foot taller!

brett_schn · Nov 25, 2018

Katrina71 said:
My tank is little and boring for the most part, but I'm venturing into new things. How are you? Probably a foot taller!

Haha yep I probably am more then a foot taller. All has been good for the most part. My tank hasn’t been the same since last years hurricane Irma. The 40g breeder should finally get set up in the coming months(yes I know it’s been awhile but I want to keep it in the main living room but I’ve had to wait to finish parts of the house. My dad and I have been redoing it for the past 6 years now I think.... slowly but surely)

Katrina71 · Nov 25, 2018

@brett_schn I'm glad you said hello. Don't be a stranger. Kuddos for helping your Dad.

brett_schn · Nov 25, 2018

Katrina71 said:
@brett_schn I'm glad you said hello. Don't be a stranger. Kuddos for helping your Dad.

I’ll try to be more active on here now. I can’t wait to get the 40g going so I can shut down the original 10. Planning on a 14g peninsula or something like that for my room

Katrina71 · Nov 25, 2018

brett_schn said:
I’ll try to be more active on here now. I can’t wait to get the 40g going so I can shut down the original 10. Planning on a 14g peninsula or something like that for my room

You are welcome here anytime!