SkySoldier173
Community Member
Buying a ro/di unit is so worth it and convenient
This hobby hates me...
- Thread starter gemini9
- Start date
- Tagged users None
Yes I like other think its your RODI water causing the issue. Just because it comes out of the RODI does not mean it is any good. The water source could have already blown the filters in your filter.
kidtango
Active Member
This is how it is in this hobby. I think the majority of us have to go through what you're experiencing right now at some point. It is never ending! You have to constantly learn and improve. Some of us had quite and got back in many times! I did! I have tanks that are just down right stupid lol. Wasted a lot of money. Even my current tank I am learning so much from. It's a vast improvement over my previous tanks, but there are so much more room for improvement.
I think that's where the fun comes in. It's cool to see aweseome tanks online or even in person, but it's a whole new experience when it's your tank! Trust me. That's the feeling that some of us here were referring to. It is YOUR tank... Your idea and your creation. And when the fish are healthy and corals are growing, mannnnnnn.... The best feeling ever. But the "ohhh **** this hobby sucks or ****....Another issue with the tank or ****... Stupid fish is agressive to my new fish!", which happens to be your favorite fish! The new fish is almost always your favorite.... Arrr stress and annoyance... See what I mean? How about a tank leak? Skimmer overflow and flooded the house while your in bed! But you have to learn from these bad experiences and improve and move on. COme up with measures to prevent the skimmer from overflowing or have a game plan in case your tank leak...
What you are feeling now with your first tank will not end even when you have many years of experience and have a successful tank running! If you are afraid then get out lol. I am still in it and in it for as long as I am physicall and financially able. That's my level of commitment to this hobby. I think it's one of the most rewarding hobbies that we humans can have. It's an amazing experience imo. It's not a static type of hobby at all. You MUST learn and Improve... Your tank will reflect your level of reef keeping and dedication. I do judge the owner by his tank! haha
Have fun and good luck! You can do it!
I think that's where the fun comes in. It's cool to see aweseome tanks online or even in person, but it's a whole new experience when it's your tank! Trust me. That's the feeling that some of us here were referring to. It is YOUR tank... Your idea and your creation. And when the fish are healthy and corals are growing, mannnnnnn.... The best feeling ever. But the "ohhh **** this hobby sucks or ****....Another issue with the tank or ****... Stupid fish is agressive to my new fish!", which happens to be your favorite fish! The new fish is almost always your favorite.... Arrr stress and annoyance... See what I mean? How about a tank leak? Skimmer overflow and flooded the house while your in bed! But you have to learn from these bad experiences and improve and move on. COme up with measures to prevent the skimmer from overflowing or have a game plan in case your tank leak...
What you are feeling now with your first tank will not end even when you have many years of experience and have a successful tank running! If you are afraid then get out lol. I am still in it and in it for as long as I am physicall and financially able. That's my level of commitment to this hobby. I think it's one of the most rewarding hobbies that we humans can have. It's an amazing experience imo. It's not a static type of hobby at all. You MUST learn and Improve... Your tank will reflect your level of reef keeping and dedication. I do judge the owner by his tank! haha
Have fun and good luck! You can do it!
beaslbob
2500 Club Member
been there done all that.
Take all the advice you can.
Then let me tell you the dirty little secret.
All you had to do was partition your tank with 1/4" square plastic grid (egg crate) ($12 from building supply stores), add a couple of shop lights ($30 or so) with 6500k tubes (smaller tanks spiral pig tail type lights) pointing at the partition area, and add chaetomorphin macro algae (free to $10).
Your nitrates would be unmeasureable by now. Diatoms, cyano, ugly algae would die off by killing the top lights. And the system would be balanced and stable.
no need for live rock--landscape rocks will do.
no need for water changes.
just top off with untreated tap water.
You could have "cycled" the tank with a $2.00 male molly to get things going. Oh yea-cycling with macros means low to no ammonia and nitrIte spikes but a possible nitrate spike instead. Then when bacteria built up and consuming the ammonia, the macros start consuming nitrates so finally the nitrates drop down.
But all that is just my .02
Last edited:
Please show me a successful reef that has no rock, no sand, no other means of nutrient export other than cheato and is topped of with untreated tap water without water changes.
Here is a great read on dosing vinegar.
http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index...ar-dosing-methodology-for-the-marine-aquarium
Here's the chart
http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index...ar-dosing-methodology-for-the-marine-aquarium
Here's the chart
ShawnSaucier
Well-Known Member
Don't get discouraged, believe me you can really get frustrated with your tank. I'm going through issues right now with mine. This hobby will try your patience constantly. This is also the rewarding part too. As you go through these ups and downs, you are constantly learning more and more. +1 on a good book, +1 on make your own RODI water, and +1 on taking a deep breath and relaxing. It's not an easy hobby, people with years of experience still have issues that baffle them from time to time. Keep testing your water, don't make any large coral purchases, and read read read
Would not trust water from these suppliers as they do not deal with RODI water.
hey gemini - so sorry to hear you're still struggling with your tank......I posted in your high nitrate thread and read all of the responses. I would suggest going ahead and putting in your sand - you can mix it with some crushed coral if you'd like. Since there was quite a lot of trouble shooting on the previous thread - I would go ahead after you figure out what you're going to do with your sand and vinegar dose. Pete posted a great resource for you to use. Don't give up, you'll be able to figure this out and be patient. All hobbyists have experienced one problem or another and it really does pay off once you get your tank in good shape.
In terms of your algae spots, it may just be spots of coralline showing up. Coralline can come in many different colors. I'm not sure on the black though - if you can post some pictures of it, that may help identify it.
In terms of your algae spots, it may just be spots of coralline showing up. Coralline can come in many different colors. I'm not sure on the black though - if you can post some pictures of it, that may help identify it.
iReef86
Reefin' since 1998.
Sit back, relax, and put down the hammer safely! Find a hobbyist that can help you. Not to put down a lfs, but sometimes having someone youre not paying for advice will give you the best.
Best of luck to you.
Best of luck to you.
pscott99
New Member
I hope this comes across ok. If I read this right and you are only upset by high nitrates you are way over reacting. Buy some fish and some softies and get going. You spirits will rise immediately. Getting everything perfect is unlikely because these forums and this hobby give you way too much some times. Quit wasting water and let your tank stabalize. You will hopefully be surprised at how well you will be doing and start having some fun. I've been through it all in four years and still feel like I don't have a clue some days because I read these forums.
I have been following this tank and its issues for a long time. The nitrate problem in this tank is being caused by the rocks leaching. I hope that information will be helpful to the advice given due to the abnormal circumstances.
Pixburgh
Active Member
- Newb advice -
If you're quite certain that the rock is causing your nitrates because the quality from the LFS was THAT poor, I would get rid of the rock (sell it or let it dry out) and get new rock. Also, I made a common mistake using an API test kit. Are you reading your results from the side of the tube color or the color when you look down the tube? Mine reads 10 from the side view and 80 from the top view.
If you're quite certain that the rock is causing your nitrates because the quality from the LFS was THAT poor, I would get rid of the rock (sell it or let it dry out) and get new rock. Also, I made a common mistake using an API test kit. Are you reading your results from the side of the tube color or the color when you look down the tube? Mine reads 10 from the side view and 80 from the top view.
prsnlty
Jackie
+1 and +1 to the last 2 posts as far as your problem goes.
It think it's lijely you're reading the test incorrectly but if you aren't get new rock. Don't give up! There will be tons of set backs as your tank begins to mature but once you've got it down you will be glad you stuck to it
Jackie
It think it's lijely you're reading the test incorrectly but if you aren't get new rock. Don't give up! There will be tons of set backs as your tank begins to mature but once you've got it down you will be glad you stuck to it
Jackie
beaslbob
2500 Club Member
mine 5 years ago. LOL
BTW I didn't say no rock and no sand. Just no live rock. And by extension no live sand as well.
Hopefully you can accept bare bottom tanks have been successful.
I also had to dose calcium, alk, magnesium.
But the tank had several fish, a heavy bioload, soft type corals for over 5 years.
With macro algea, no water changes, and untreated tap water.
my .02
