JCOLE's Big Box of Rocks

[JCOLE]

Ya'll aren't the only ones still in with IORC. It has always worked just fine for me. I tag on with my LFS for some bulk buys every 6 months or so. 20 boxes for about $41 each. Used to be cheaper, but getting killed on the shipping nowadays.

I used to buy it on Amazon repeat purchase monthly, with free shipping for $35. UPS guy hated me.

Same here. Petco and Chewy had them on sale. I picked them up for $29.99 a box.

 

[JCOLE]

So refreshing to see corals under daylight spectrums. Very nice work & build!

Awesome! Thanks Tim! I still need to grab a pack from you. Once my new build is up then I am going to reach out.

 

[ScottB]

Same here. Petco and Chewy had them on sale. I picked them up for $29.99 a box.

Thanks for the tip. Pretty righteous savings. Petco delivers?

 

[JCOLE]

Thanks for the tip. Pretty righteous savings. Petco delivers?

Yes, they do.

 

[JCOLE]

Testing out the new RK2 6-3.5 skimmer in the 300 stock tank. Going to break this in for a month or so and then move to the main system and swap with my Reef Octopus skimmer. Loving the storm of skimmate!

 

[ScottB]

Testing out the new RK2 6-3.5 skimmer in the 300 stock tank. Going to break this in for a month or so and then move to the main system and swap with my Reef Octopus skimmer. Loving the storm of skimmate!

Will be interested to see how you like it relative to the Reef Octo. Those thing are hard to beat IME.

 

[JCOLE]

Will be interested to see how you like it relative to the Reef Octo. Those thing are hard to beat IME.

I have the INT-250INT. It's a beast but the problem is the Aquatrance needlewheel pump. I don't think it's the correct size for the skimmer. Just doesn't produce a lot of skimmate. I had to introduce airstones into the skimmer to help with aeration. I was looking at getting an upgraded pump but decided to grab the RK2.

I like that I can choose whatever pump I want to use with the RK2 and so far the skimmate is night and day from the Reef Octopus. I still haven't collected anything because it's still breaking in but the venturi design creates TONS of skimmate. A couple weeks from now will be a better test though.

 

[Mellotang]

Copycat

Nice stand!!!

 

[dieselkeeper]

Just thought I'd mention that I had phosphates in newly mixed Reef Crystals saltwater in the past. And the salt would harden into bricks in the bag. I quit using it because there is so much that can go wrong in a reef tank, I shouldn't have to worry about salt.

Looking forward to your build.

 

[ScottB]

Nice stand!!!

Better?
I am dreading the tear down and move into the stock tank, then into the new frag tank when it lands.

 

[Mellotang]

Just make sure you’re fully prepared for anything when you do the tank moves

always stressful but if you take your time and don’t do everything last minute it’s a lot smoother

much easier with the stock tanks

 

[JCOLE]

Just thought I'd mention that I had phosphates in newly mixed Reef Crystals saltwater in the past. And the salt would harden into bricks in the bag. I quit using it because there is so much that can go wrong in a reef tank, I shouldn't have to worry about salt.

Looking forward to your build.

Now you tell me after I have a lifetime supply!

I have been using it for a couple years and it has been doing well for me. The only time I had issues was while I used Tropic Marin Pro Reef 1.5 years ago. We won't get into that though.

I think the issues people have is if they run low parameters and use a salt with higher. I run my alk atound 10, calcium around 500 and magnesium around 1500 so Reef Crystals is pretty good at keeping those stable.

I do mix for a couple days and test alk in the salt mix. I usually have to dose to get it back up to 10.

 

[JCOLE]

Better?
I am dreading the tear down and move into the stock tank, then into the new frag tank when it lands.

I feel the pain. I am dreading it also. I think I am going to get the new system up and running and then combine everything before tearing down the old system. Hopefully that will help minimize the casualties.

 

[dieselkeeper]

Now you tell me after I have a lifetime supply!

I have been using it for a couple years and it has been doing well for me. The only time I had issues was while I used Tropic Marin Pro Reef 1.5 years ago. We won't get into that though.

I think the issues people have is if they run low parameters and use a salt with higher. I run my alk atound 10, calcium around 500 and magnesium around 1500 so Reef Crystals is pretty good at keeping those stable.

I do mix for a couple days and test alk in the salt mix. I usually have to dose to get it back up to 10.

I figured it would be better to tell before you had another Tropic Marin nightmare.

 

[KevinC]

Now you tell me after I have a lifetime supply!

I have been using it for a couple years and it has been doing well for me. The only time I had issues was while I used Tropic Marin Pro Reef 1.5 years ago. We won't get into that though.

I think the issues people have is if they run low parameters and use a salt with higher. I run my alk atound 10, calcium around 500 and magnesium around 1500 so Reef Crystals is pretty good at keeping those stable.

I do mix for a couple days and test alk in the salt mix. I usually have to dose to get it back up to 10.

I just retested my mixed reefcrystal after 5 days, it tested 12 for me

 

[Dreamscapesaquatics]

Awesome. Thanks for the inspiration.

 

[ScottB]

I feel the pain. I am dreading it also. I think I am going to get the new system up and running and then combine everything before tearing down the old system. Hopefully that will help minimize the casualties.

My new tank is going in the same spot as the old system, thus the necessary layover in the stock tank. Ugh.

 

[Mellotang]

Maybe just set up stock tank with some nice new water
Let it run, heaters, circulation pump
Get to right temp n same parameters as display
Drain as much display water as you can into stock tank

Remove corals and put them in another holding tank if possible, with clean tank water

then remove rock, I like to have a 40 gallon brute when I do this filled with saltwater so I can really rinse rock before going in stock tank
Submerge, swish, shake, get out as much detritus as possible

then put rock in stock tank as you go

place corals n fish in after

make sure you have drops, tarps, towels, spare warm RODI in case you need
Salt
Back brace
Lightweight ladders that you can move easily

sometimes I make a stand in front of tank to work off of so I can walk back and forth and reach in tank without climbing up and down ladder over n over

remember to eat and hydrate

make a solid plan first

i install and maintain tanks and have done many transfers
Just a few things that come to mind when I think about it

sometimes I wear gorilla gloves to protect me from rocks while doing a big transfer

 

[Mellotang]

Try and save as much clean tank water as possible

don’t start messing with rocks then drain because the water will be nasty

drain clean water first into whatever holding tanks you have

 

[Mellotang]

Shop vac

spare buckets

syphon hoses

airpump n stones

extra heaters