Recommendations please

[mitch91175]

Nice write up! You did put some new thoughts in my head : ) I do understand the risks of putting all my eggs in one basket. I honestly have not decided yet how deep into putting “everything” on it I want to go. It is tough resisting that urge... I don’t want my heaters on it. I’ve read they can burnout the plugins. I am still undecided on Kalk. It’s the testing capabilities that I really like more than anything else. And considering my level of experience, having the dosing system connected to it just made sense.

For dosing you just want a reliable doser. There are a few out there. Starting out a kalk stirrer isn’t a bad investment but does require maintenance. You might just be able to get by doing auto water changes using a Neptune DOS. Without having to travel soon, it gives you time to get more familiar with your setup so you can invest through time as you phase in SPS more into the system.

Once you get a little more familiar with your consumption, it’ll definitely help you decide the best course of action. Whether that be 2-part, calcium reactor, kalk wasser or a combination of those.

I started out with 2-part then switched to kalkwasser then added a calcium reactor. Now I do all 3 for my system. I have alkalinity used for my Alkatronic, calcium on my Dosetronic, kalkwasser on my DOS. But I do not need to buy near as much 2-part running all 3. The kalkwasser helps keep the pH above 8 all day long.

was doing auto water changes but changed to no water changes and trace elements. Repurposed the DOS that was doing AWC to doing PO4/NO3 to maintain nutrient levels. I have a bare bottom system so with the nutrient export working well, needed to keep PO4/NO3 detectable to avoid dinos.

But I also have an SPS dominant system that consumes a lot. You won’t start with all that but as you progress and get more coral that consume more, a calcium reactor that’s tuned can do wonders (specially for maintaining dKH).

 

[Shawn_epicurious]

For dosing you just want a reliable doser. There are a few out there. Starting out a kalk stirrer isn’t a bad investment but does require maintenance. You might just be able to get by doing auto water changes using a Neptune DOS. Without having to travel soon, it gives you time to get more familiar with your setup so you can invest through time as you phase in SPS more into the system.

Once you get a little more familiar with your consumption, it’ll definitely help you decide the best course of action. Whether that be 2-part, calcium reactor, kalk wasser or a combination of those.

I started out with 2-part then switched to kalkwasser then added a calcium reactor. Now I do all 3 for my system. I have alkalinity used for my Alkatronic, calcium on my Dosetronic, kalkwasser on my DOS. But I do not need to buy near as much 2-part running all 3. The kalkwasser helps keep the pH above 8 all day long.

was doing auto water changes but changed to no water changes and trace elements. Repurposed the DOS that was doing AWC to doing PO4/NO3 to maintain nutrient levels. I have a bare bottom system so with the nutrient export working well, needed to keep PO4/NO3 detectable to avoid dinos.

But I also have an SPS dominant system that consumes a lot. You won’t start with all that but as you progress and get more coral that consume more, a calcium reactor that’s tuned can do wonders (specially for maintaining dKH).

I am absolutely still considering a nice calcium reactor... I already use CO2 in my house. I have beer on tap in my bar : ) to be perfectly honest.... I think I can build one cheaper than I can buy one... there’s not really much to it. If I decide to do a calcium reactor, I can always auto feed in stead of dosing calcium.

I am really on the fence with using Kalk. There as many pro’s as there are con’s in that debate. Kalk adds three things that do not get used up in equal portions. It seems like you’d almost have to have computer support using Kalk.

oh yeah..... did a ton of research on my RODI system finally : ) I am setting my barrel up so the RODI can fill it and putting a little float system inside the barrel to help shut it off each time it takes it for lever to fill up lol. I’m also putting a flow meter on it.

 

[mitch91175]

I am absolutely still considering a nice calcium reactor... I already use CO2 in my house. I have beer on tap in my bar : ) to be perfectly honest.... I think I can build one cheaper than I can buy one... there’s not really much to it. If I decide to do a calcium reactor, I can always auto feed in stead of dosing calcium.

I am really on the fence with using Kalk. There as many pro’s as there are con’s in that debate. Kalk adds three things that do not get used up in equal portions. It seems like you’d almost have to have computer support using Kalk.

oh yeah..... did a ton of research on my RODI system finally : ) I am setting my barrel up so the RODI can fill it and putting a little float system inside the barrel to help shut it off each time it takes it for lever to fill up lol. I’m also putting a flow meter on it.

Yeah if your handy you could make your own calcium reactor. If your RO unit is near you Apex, you could also optical sensor and one of those Neptune Systems SV-1 that with turn off flow of the sensor gets closed. Not necessary at all but a good failsafe.

I’d suggest at least 5 stage RO/DI unit, 6 stage is even better. That was you can completely exhaust the DI resin.

 

[Shawn_epicurious]

Yeah if your handy you could make your own calcium reactor. If your RO unit is near you Apex, you could also optical sensor and one of those Neptune Systems SV-1 that with turn off flow of the sensor gets closed. Not necessary at all but a good failsafe.

I’d suggest at least 5 stage RO/DI unit, 6 stage is even better. That was you can completely exhaust the DI resin.

And what exactly would I put in the other ....2? Stages? I have been doing some reading on my RODI system...using Kalk... the other 2? I haven’t seen that in my reading? : )

 

[Hydrored]

And what exactly would I put in the other ....2? Stages? I have been doing some reading on my RODI system...using Kalk... the other 2? I haven’t seen that in my reading? : )

RODI is your water filter system, nothing to do with kalk

 

[mitch91175]

And what exactly would I put in the other ....2? Stages? I have been doing some reading on my RODI system...using Kalk... the other 2? I haven’t seen that in my reading? : )

I run mine just like this

Prevents me from needing to change the resin too soon

 

[mitch91175]

RODI is your water filter system, nothing to do with kalk

I think he may be referring to needing to use RO/DI water to send through a kalk stirrer or putting kalk inside his top off container. But good catch for clarification.

 

[Trylobyte]

my $30 wifi powerstrips are the best piece of equipment I have. They control my whole tank. I don't test water so apex must rock if you need it!

What power strips are using? And you can set timers on these?

 

[Shawn_epicurious]

I run mine just like this

Prevents me from needing to change the resin too soon

That’s ****** (awesome if it doesn’t allow that curse word) I am in the process of “redoing the plumbing“ on my system for making water. I have a 55 gallon barrel. That would really extend the maintenance requirements.

 

[Shawn_epicurious]

I think he may be referring to needing to use RO/DI water to send through a kalk stirrer or putting kalk inside his top off container. But good catch for clarification.

Yes, exactly

 

[mitch91175]

What power strips are using? And you can set timers on these?

These work well but any one that connects to SmartLife app also work


This strips are getting better and better with the SmartLife app. Super easy to program. You can group outlets and have some turn off if you turn off one outlet and back on when you turn it on.

 

[Trylobyte]

These work well but any one that connects to SmartLife app also work


This strips are getting better and better with the SmartLife app. Super easy to program. You can group outlets and have some turn off if you turn off one outlet and back on when you turn it on.

Thanks! That's so awesome, I thought I was going to have to fork out the $800 for a Apex controller, or $400+ for new power heads when all I wanted to do was give my korilia nano's on and off times for a wave effect lol.

 

[Shawn_epicurious]

Thanks! That's so awesome, I thought I was going to have to fork out the $800 for a Apex controller, or $400+ for new power heads when all I wanted to do was give my korilia nano's on and off times for a wave effect lol.

I have not really dived into flow yet. : ) that’s next

 

[ADAM]

I’ll preface by saying I have only owned the Apex (2 over the last 10 years) However, if it died tomorrow I would happily order another. As someone who isn’t really computer literate, outside of the HVAC industry, it was the easiest to setup after looking at the User Manuals available on the website. There is a plethora of support on forums and when I have needed direct Neptune support they have been a pleasure to deal with.
In regards to wifi power strips, smart plugs, light sensors, leak detectors, and other home automation products, you can use IFTTT App (IF THIS THEN THAT) to control different brand smart products together in one place.
The BRStv (BulkReefSupply.com YouTube Channel) “Top 20 Controller Mistakes” is a good watch when you get ready to setup.

 

[Shawn_epicurious]

I’ll preface by saying I have only owned the Apex (2 over the last 10 years) However, if it died tomorrow I would happily order another. As someone who isn’t really computer literate, outside of the HVAC industry, it was the easiest to setup after looking at the User Manuals available on the website. There is a plethora of support on forums and when I have needed direct Neptune support they have been a pleasure to deal with.
In regards to wifi power strips, smart plugs, light sensors, leak detectors, and other home automation products, you can use IFTTT App (IF THIS THEN THAT) to control different brand smart products together in one place.
The BRStv (BulkReefSupply.com YouTube Channel) “Top 20 Controller Mistakes” is a good watch when you get ready to setup.

I’ll watch it

 

[ADAM]

Thanks! That's so awesome, I thought I was going to have to fork out the $800 for a Apex controller, or $400+ for new power heads when all I wanted to do was give my korilia nano's on and off times for a wave effect lol.

Do your Koralias start in the correct flow every time? Mine will start backwards half the time, which is why I got rid of the Hydor wave maker a while back...

 

[sawdonkey]

I am absolutely still considering a nice calcium reactor... I already use CO2 in my house. I have beer on tap in my bar : ) to be perfectly honest.... I think I can build one cheaper than I can buy one... there’s not really much to it. If I decide to do a calcium reactor, I can always auto feed in stead of dosing calcium.

I am really on the fence with using Kalk. There as many pro’s as there are con’s in that debate. Kalk adds three things that do not get used up in equal portions. It seems like you’d almost have to have computer support using Kalk.

oh yeah..... did a ton of research on my RODI system finally : ) I am setting my barrel up so the RODI can fill it and putting a little float system inside the barrel to help shut it off each time it takes it for lever to fill up lol. I’m also putting a flow meter on it.

I know this is a controller thread, but in my experience kalk is super easy and nearly free. It can support grown out SPS tank easily. I just recently got a cal reactor after years of just running kalk in my ATO. I gotta say that I worry a lot more about the cal reactor than I ever did about kalk in my ATO.

Yes kalk delivery depends on evaporation and changes seasonally, but it doesn’t happen overnight and it’s easy to adjust your solution.

No, kalk never clogged my ATO pump.

No, my calcium and alkalinity never got out of whack because kalk is well “balanced.”

Here’s my old tank, grown purely on kalk through the ATO.

And here’s my currrnt tank grown on kalk except for the last three months with a cal Rx.

 

[Trylobyte]

Do your Koralias start in the correct flow every time? Mine will start backwards half the time, which is why I got rid of the Hydor wave maker a while back...

I haven't really turned them off and on a lot at this point, though now I am worried that may happen if I am setting them on 10-15 minute intervals

 

[bob salzlein]

I haven't really turned them off and on a lot at this point, though now I am worried that may happen if I am setting them on 10-15 minute intervals

What model Koralias

 

[45ZoaGarden]

I have an apex system on my tank and love it. It’s great and turning stuff on and off makes life easier. Programmability is one thing you get with apex that you don’t get with a WiFi power strip. I also have a trident and it’s just ok. Yes it tests the water and works well but I don’t need to test everything 2x a day. Reagents get expensive if you can even find them. I also have 2 dos units and have 0 complaints. Yes, they make a bit of noise but it doesn’t bother me when it turns on for 2 seconds a time. The atk works great. The afs works great. The probes help with monitoring temp etc and adds a security blanket with heaters and returns possibly burning out. Gives me great control of my vortechs allowing me to ramp them up and down at different times. To be honest, I think the ghl ion unit is a better auto tester because it’s accurate and doesn’t use reagents. Ghl also makes excellent dosers (I don’t have experience with the ion director but have owned a ghl doser). The only reason I went with an apex with trident is because I wanted everything in one place. Only reason I got a trident is for when I’m out of town. I have no issues at all monitoring and testing the tank when I’m home. Since were talking ro/di I can chime in there too. I personally have a 6 stage aqua fox system. Two carbon filters, a floss roll?, two sediment filters, and the thing on the top. It was custom built to combat the nasty water in south Florida which is full of sulfur, chlorine, and fertilizer.