My First Salty Build! 20g Long

[Brian Kim]

I remember the video well as that when I heard of the issue, like I said tho as per my research it was just the high wattage models with that issue but ill be keeping an eye on it.

I've been using the 50W one on my 5 gallon tank for a few months with no major issues

 

[Mr.Rocc]

Right on man I had pretty much the exact same setup at my college place!

 

[Evan West]

Well, I am selling mine as I no longer need them. It's a $149 skimmer and I can sell it for $80 shipped.
About 8 months old but missing one of the magnet that can eaasily be replace with any sort of a round glass magnet

While thats a great deal ill have to pass for now because I need to stick to the rest of my budget as im allredy over it (thanks Kessil lol), for now ill just have to be good about the water changes. Thanks for the offer tho!

 

[Evan West]

Right on man I had pretty much the exact same setup at my college place!

Glad to know im not the only one crazy enough to do this in college!

 

[Brian Kim]

While thats a great deal ill have to pass for now because I need to stick to the rest of my budget as im allredy over it (thanks Kessil lol), for now ill just have to be good about the water changes. Thanks for the offer tho!

not a problrm, best of luck with your tank!

 

[Evan West]

not a problrm, best of luck with your tank!

Thanks! Plenty more updates to come!

 

[Mr.Rocc]

Glad to know im not the only one crazy enough to do this in college!

Lol Its sweet best of luck bud

 

[Evan West]

Okay so I tested my first batch of salt water made with IO reef crystals. I think the parameters are a tad goofy

12 dKH (at least, 2nd time I tested it was closer to 14)
430 Ca
1260 mg
0 PO4
8 Ph (max)

 

[reeferfoxx]

Okay so I tested my first batch of salt water made with IO reef crystals. I think the parameters are a tad goofy

12 dKH (at least, 2nd time I tested it was closer to 14)
430 Ca
1260 mg
0 PO4
8 Ph (max)

Reef Crystals has higher dkh at 12-13. Your test was right and your box is good. I noticed you had some GFO(phosban). You won't be needing that for awhile.

 

[Evan West]

Reef Crystals has higher dkh at 12-13. Your test was right and your box is good. I noticed you had some GFO(phosban). You won't be needing that for awhile.

Would it be bad to run the GFO anyways as it will also help with silicate?

 

[reeferfoxx]

Would it be bad to run the GFO anyways as it will also help with silicate?

GFO does help with silicates. However, that help mostly depends on how you are setting up this tank. Sometimes speeding up nature isn't always a good thing. Things need to happen to make sure you have a strong bacterial foundation. If for some reason you have diatoms growing into the 4th month or so, I think GFO would help. Until then, the diatoms will provide food for your clean up crew and the copepods and amphipods. To add, you'll need some nutrients(no3 and po4) in the water column for your corals to thrive.

 

[Evan West]

GFO does help with silicates. However, that help mostly depends on how you are setting up this tank. Sometimes speeding up nature isn't always a good thing. Things need to happen to make sure you have a strong bacterial foundation. If for some reason you have diatoms growing into the 4th month or so, I think GFO would help. Until then, the diatoms will provide food for your clean up crew and the copepods and amphipods. To add, you'll need some nutrients(no3 and po4) in the water column for your corals to thrive.

Okay cool, thanks for the advice! I will leave it out of the filter and just run carbon for now and wait till later to add GFO if need be.

 

[reeferfoxx]

Okay cool, thanks for the advice! I will leave it out of the filter and just run carbon for now and wait till later to add GFO if need be.

Just do your research! Look up reason to have nutrients. Learn what is too much or too little. Your alkalinity can tie into that, as well. Good luck on your venture.

 

[Evan West]

Just do your research! Look up reason to have nutrients. Learn what is too much or too little. Your alkalinity can tie into that, as well. Good luck on your venture.

If you would not mind elaborating, how does alk tie into reasons to have nutrients? I assume because higher alk can accelerate coral growth you would want to have the nutrients around for the coral to consume as they grow?

 

[Brian Kim]

If you would not mind elaborating, how does alk tie into reasons to have nutrients? I assume because higher alk can accelerate coral growth you would want to have the nutrients around for the coral to consume as they grow?

I would try to keep my alk at around 8 if possible, well that's just me though

 

[Brian Kim]

Your phosphate is high, are you using dry rock? They're known to release phosphate.

 

[Evan West]

Your phosphate is high, are you using dry rock? They're known to release phosphate.

Errm my Phosphate is at 0?

 

[Evan West]

I would try to keep my alk at around 8 if possible, well that's just me though

Also that is what i would like to aim for as well but apparently with IO RC thats not gonna happen. I bought this salt a while back before i started heavy research and i just wanna use it up before i switch to something else.

 

[reeferfoxx]

If you would not mind elaborating, how does alk tie into reasons to have nutrients? I assume because higher alk can accelerate coral growth you would want to have the nutrients around for the coral to consume as they grow?

It's difficult for me to explain but if you have the time, Randy Holmes-Farly better explain the process Phosphate Reduction via Calcium Phosphate Precipitation. This is a really good read.

Edit: it would help if i provided the link LOL! http://www.reefedition.com/phosphate-in-the-reef-aquarium-by-randy-holmes-farley/

 

[Brian Kim]

Errm my Phosphate is at 0?

thought you said 8 lol, nvm that was your PH