Bullets dodged. Test Test Test!

[Auquanut]

For those of us who automate without monitoring systems, I'd just like to share a couple of very recent events that could have ended very badly.
I currently auto dose the big 3 in my 125 gallon tank as well as utilizing an ATO system and AWC system. When everything seems to be running fine, it's tempting to let our testing laps. I'm glad my nervous nature won't allow me to do that and I'll tell you why.
About 3 weeks ago, when I tested Alk, it registered 6.0 with the Red Sea test kit. Must be testing error. Tested again. Same. Tried Salifert. Basically the same. I Put my Bubble Magus doser in manual mode and found it was barely producing. I have a heavily stocked mixed reef and everything (including my acros) seemed fine. Since I'm dosing well over 200 ml soda ash daily, all I can deduce is that the Alk level fell rapidly, and the corals didn't have time to negatively respond. I replaced the pump head with one I had in standby and manually dosed to bring Alk back up to an acceptable level. Never saw any adverse reaction. Bullet dodged!

Today, while testing, I noticed that my SG had dropped from 1.026 to less than 1.025. Nothing major, but WHAT? I took a look at the AWC (changing 2 gallons daily) and found that the water in was failing while the water out was still functional. My ATO was making up the difference without my knowledge. My Alk and Calc are a little low, but again I'll manually dose to bring them back up. Another bullet dodged!

I guess the moral of the story is don't get too comfortable. Test Test Test! Nothing will go wrong until you turn your back.

 

[DraggingTail]

What AWC do you have so I can avoid that one?

 

[Auquanut]

I use the GHL Maxi standalone system and I really do love it. It's been running for 5 months and has been spot on for the entire time. I got a split in the dosing tube which stopped the water in. Things happen. Not knocking this AWC at all. I'm still happy with it for the moment.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

For those of us who automate without monitoring systems, I'd just like to share a couple of very recent events that could have ended very badly.
I currently auto dose the big 3 in my 125 gallon tank as well as utilizing an ATO system and AWC system. When everything seems to be running fine, it's tempting to let our testing laps. I'm glad my nervous nature won't allow me to do that and I'll tell you why.
About 3 weeks ago, when I tested Alk, it registered 6.0 with the Red Sea test kit. Must be testing error. Tested again. Same. Tried Salifert. Basically the same. I Put my Bubble Magus doser in manual mode and found it was barely producing. I have a heavily stocked mixed reef and everything (including my acros) seemed fine. Since I'm dosing well over 200 ml soda ash daily, all I can deduce is that the Alk level fell rapidly, and the corals didn't have time to negatively respond. I replaced the pump head with one I had in standby and manually dosed to bring Alk back up to an acceptable level. Never saw any adverse reaction. Bullet dodged!

Today, while testing, I noticed that my SG had dropped from 1.026 to less than 1.025. Nothing major, but WHAT? I took a look at the AWC (changing 2 gallons daily) and found that the water in was failing while the water out was still functional. My ATO was making up the difference without my knowledge. My Alk and Calc are a little low, but again I'll manually dose to bring them back up. Another bullet dodged!

I guess the moral of the story is don't get too comfortable. Test Test Test! Nothing will go wrong until you turn your back.

Thanks for a great reminder. Just looking at things will only give part of the tanks story. Testing will fill in the rest.

Glad you caught it