Finally, a reef tank!!
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Reef Jeff
Active Member
I really like how you organized all your equipment and how all the plumbing is hooked up. Should serve you well!
Will be following to see how the system evolves.
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jgvergo
Valuable Member
My full geek will be on display in this post ;Bookworm
This is a graph of my pH a couple of weeks ago:
As you can see, the daily pH swings were in the neighborhood of 0.2 pH. That was due to the lights being on during the day (raising the pH by consuming CO2).
I'll also mention that I had my sump light on during the time when the display tank lights were off, in an attempt to offset the magnitude of the pH swings. Obviously, that did not work very well.
A week ago, I changed my dosing so all is dosed at night and Ca during the day. I had been dosing both at a constant rate around the clock using my Apex to control the dosing.
Well, the results are in. Here is my pH graph for the last few days:
The pH range is much tighter. Dosing Alk at night really works!
This is a graph of my pH a couple of weeks ago:
As you can see, the daily pH swings were in the neighborhood of 0.2 pH. That was due to the lights being on during the day (raising the pH by consuming CO2).
I'll also mention that I had my sump light on during the time when the display tank lights were off, in an attempt to offset the magnitude of the pH swings. Obviously, that did not work very well.
A week ago, I changed my dosing so all is dosed at night and Ca during the day. I had been dosing both at a constant rate around the clock using my Apex to control the dosing.
Well, the results are in. Here is my pH graph for the last few days:
The pH range is much tighter. Dosing Alk at night really works!
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jgvergo
Valuable Member
2 updates...
The corals I bought a Reef-a-Palooza (mostly) met with an unfortunate demise. I had a heater failure in my QT. The only survivor was the Riccordia, which is doing beautifully. I now have a temperature controller for my QT. "Live and learn" is the essence of our hobby.
I also successfully dealt with a Dinoflagellate outbreak. It was a really daunting task to try and understand 1000's of posts about the cause of Dino outbreaks and the dozens of recommendations on how to treat it. In the end, I did a three day blackout. I felt it was the least "invasive" approach I've read about. I was very uncomfortable with adding something to the tank that had unknown chemicals or biological matter. Bottom line...it worked and my DT is back on track
The corals I bought a Reef-a-Palooza (mostly) met with an unfortunate demise. I had a heater failure in my QT. The only survivor was the Riccordia, which is doing beautifully. I now have a temperature controller for my QT. "Live and learn" is the essence of our hobby.
I also successfully dealt with a Dinoflagellate outbreak. It was a really daunting task to try and understand 1000's of posts about the cause of Dino outbreaks and the dozens of recommendations on how to treat it. In the end, I did a three day blackout. I felt it was the least "invasive" approach I've read about. I was very uncomfortable with adding something to the tank that had unknown chemicals or biological matter. Bottom line...it worked and my DT is back on track
1Der9_3hy
Active Member
Found your thread while looking for inspiration for a stand (amazing!).
I am working on a 'utility' room system as well, how are the metal objects holding up to the increased humidity? The tools, screws, etc...? I have the same pegboard loaded with house hold tools and construction stuff, I am worried about corrosion.
I am working on a 'utility' room system as well, how are the metal objects holding up to the increased humidity? The tools, screws, etc...? I have the same pegboard loaded with house hold tools and construction stuff, I am worried about corrosion.
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jgvergo
Valuable Member
Thanks! The tools that were closest to the sump did start to get corroded. However, someone gave me some excellent advice to rub the tools with a very thin coat of oil. It prevents rust and corrosion.
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jgvergo
Valuable Member
A few update pics. The rebooted system is approaching the 1 year mark. My basic "starter" corals are all doing well and are growing, so I've asked for some new corals (a Battlebox) for my birthday.
Here is a full tank shot:
And some close ups of individual corals:
Here is a full tank shot:
And some close ups of individual corals:
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jgvergo
Valuable Member
Build thread update time! The tank has been rebooted for 15 months now. Corals are (mostly) growing Here is a quick video of the DT with lots of coral close ups, plus a couple of plump rock flower anemones at the end...
https://photos.app.goo.gl/xwWfqECVEsqhqUYB9
Here is a quick video of the DT with lots of coral close ups, plus a couple of plump rock flower anemones at the end...https://photos.app.goo.gl/xwWfqECVEsqhqUYB9
