oh boy, 40g breeder build

[RichtheReefer21]

If you have an LFS local to you, that is willing to run tests. Bring a sample to compare with ur own results. Which kits did u get?

 

[count krunk]

I got salifert, I am testing today will see what those results are. I do have a decent LFS near that can test to verify for me.

 

[count krunk]

@RichtheReefer21 what app do you use for your tank? The one I have now just isn't cutting it.

I did my wc, cleaning, alage removal, and testing just now. I read the tests wrong so they aren't that weird.

Strange to me though is my CA is 540, KH is 7.3, PH is 8.3, PO4 is .06, trate and trite both tested at 0 (API). Is that usual for an API test kit? Are they not really accurate enough to read over 0?

I need to get a Mg test kit then I'll be good to go. I'll do some reading on how to lower my CA.

Pictures coming once tank isn't PO'd

 

[count krunk]

Pictures maybe not coming today bc baby. Tomorrow I think.

I scrubbed most of rock that's in the tank, loss some sponges and other such critters I am sure in the process. But it was well worth it!

I monitored gha growth over the past week and it was very minimal. I don't think it's going to grow back on the rock, we shall see.

The rock is beautiful! Just as you would expect, all the rock in this tank is many years old.

I sucked a crab out during the water change, I gave it a close look and it didn't LOOK like a xanthid, but I banished it to the sump anyway.

 

[RichtheReefer21]

Nice catch on the crab!

I used Aquariumate. 10 bucks i paid i believe. If u stay true to it every time u test, u will have a manually built apex-style graphing to track ur parameters.

 

[RichtheReefer21]

For reference...

 

[count krunk]

Thanks Rich, the one I have now is free and it doesn't graph things very well. Like for phosphate it measures in increments of 5..

 

[RichtheReefer21]

Thanks Rich, the one I have now is free and it doesn't graph things very well. Like for phosphate it measures in increments of 5..

The range on the AM app i reccomended bases the scale of the graph chart off the parameters u entered.

Editting the numbers, dates, etc, is very easy.

 

[count krunk]

I couldn't find that app on the google play store this morning. grrr.

I have a 99% chance that I won my friends Fantasy football league this season, should be around $160 in winnings. Going to give $40-50 to my wife and the rest to the tank .

RO/DI line optimization, DIY nitrate dosing (stump remover), snails and at least one coral will be coming up soon!

Hoping to get some tank pics today.

 

[Crabby48]

I never used api but a friend has and I’m not sure how accurate it is or I would be with it.

 

[count krunk]

I am going to trust the test and we shall see what happens. I will also get a salifert trate test eventually to be sure

 

[count krunk]

The pretty rock I have uncovered.

Mrs Clown enjoying the GHA free frogspawn on its new location

The PJ trio ft Mr Clown

The coral that could

Purple rocks plus pineapple sponges

The favia that has been trending up for a while now

Fresh FTS, the whole crew is visable. I also did a minor rescape after I scrubbed most of the rocks. Current scape has plenty of hidey holes for the fish.

 

[Crabby48]

Tank is looking great. With algae I’m surprised how purple the rocks are

 

[count krunk]

Yeah I was surprised as well. New coral coming tomorrow I think. No idea what I'll get yet.

 

[count krunk]

Pictures will come once all is settled.

I was able to pickup

2x mexican turbos
2.5" starry blenny
2" cleaner shrimp
Gsp frag
Acan "chunk"

 

[count krunk]

I was able to snap one quick pic of the starry blenny. So far him and the YWB are keeping their space. There is plenty of rock tunnels and sandbed room for them to get along.

 

[count krunk]

A good view of the tiger conch

 

[count krunk]

Okay here is a quick shot of the two new corals. I still haven't moved the GSP. It looks at home now so i think I will move it tomorrow before it gets any ideas about spreading on that rock.

Here is a good look at some rock from TBS, the bottom piece didn't get removed and scrubbed like the others so it is still nasty. I did give it a brush today with a toothbrush, in tank. It has this cool looking macro algae growing in the midst of some nuisance

The frogspawn was looking really happy, it' s a bit more green in person.

The red algae at the top is the nuisance I have been dealing with in addition to GHA. My PO4 came in at .01 today so I removed the GFO and replaced it with carbon. Will see what PO4 is next week. CA was still high at 530 but alk came in at 6. Will see where they are next week before I think about doing anything. Trate still showing as 0 on API.

And a quick FTS. Tank is starting to turn around. The starry blenny was a great add, he is usually visible.

 

[DiefsReef]

I was trying to use API for testing Nitrates in the rock I am trying to pre-cycle. The API test came back 0 always after 3 weeks. I finally went this weekend to Nemos and picked up the Salifert and also a Red Sea test kit. Nitrates came in at 2ppm on both of those kits. Most everything I have read shows API test kits for nitrates are not accurate.

 

[count krunk]

Thanks for your feedback. From algae growth I judged the tests to not be accurate haha. API is good for ph maybe