So a lot has happened since my last update. Here are some highlights. First off, once again my power went out yesterday - and of course as soon as I got the generator almost running and connected - it turned back on. Still, my Abyzz pump controller failed when the power came back on (it was already showing some kind of issue from the last power-surge-event so it is not surprising to me - they have the best warranty in the biz so I am sure it will be taken care of). Anyways, I put my backup RD230 on there and now with the FMM, the comparative results are amazing. With the RD230 set to 100% it showed nearly the identical power consumption as my Abyzz did at 74% (~230W). But the shocker - The flow on the Abyzz was 1100gph from my FMM and the 2" sensor. The flow from the RD230 with the identical plumbing and fitting is just 760! Graphic below.
Other things happening:
- Denitrator has finally stabilized the "pH" from 9.2-10 depending on the time of day - now I will be raising the output about 100ml/day by adjusting the DOS
- Nitrates are down under 10 now so I am feeding like crazy. Red Sea Pro Nitrate kit is worthless for high range.
- Phosphates are .01 - the Macroalgae in the sump is about a square meter. Almost time to take out about 30%.
- Corals are encrusting and growing nicely.
- Calcium Reactor has been providing me a steady 9.1-9.3 dKH according to my Alk Monitor - tweaking the alk up or down is as simple as adjusting the pH level in the reactor.
- I will stop using the Deltec fluidized media. The nasty gray silt produced by it and trapped by my secondary reactor is ridiculous. Going to fill it up with the TLF ReBorn this week I hope.
- The Philips Coral Care lights have worked so well on the SPS side of the tank that I have decided to change the whole tank to these lights. I am running them at probably 40-50% right now so the power usage is great.
- Although the Coral Care lights look awesome - just like a MH - it also means, for my eyes, I want a bit more pop - so I will be having at least one Reef Brite strip on each side as well - you just cannot beat the look and the coral color-up those ReefBrites give!
- I still need to do the trim-out of my stand with wood - looks pretty bad
- I broke the bulkhead on my 100g freshwater container about 8 weeks ago - still need to repair it - started, got it on, but impossible to tighten when the nut is on the inside - long reach - but I want to do it this way because this is why it broke the last time, the threaded stem was on the outside and could not take any lateral flex at all. 100 gallons of water comes out real fast!
- The Powder Blue Tang is happily living in the giant sump. He has healed up pretty good after getting the Freddy-Krueger-Treatment from the Achilles. His side wounds are all healed. His torn cornea is still healing, is a bit opaque, and may take months to recover is my guess.
- I mounted an AFS upside down in the canopy between the Philips lights. I cut the tabs off the base with clamp it comes with and screwed that to the roof of the hood and then slid the AFS on there. Works great!
- My pair of Bangaii Cardinals look like they are expecting - the Male looks like he has a mouthful and I have not seen him eat for two weeks now - should be any day he will release the "fish food"
- Weather is getting nice here in CA - We finally got a week now with no rain!
