Update on Phil's Tank

JerSaint · Apr 29, 2015

Hi All,
As some of you may know I have been helping out with Phil's tank since his passing. His sister-in-law is really coming along as a reefer! I wanted to post a few pictures of the tank and request some help. I need someone with more SPS experience to help me figure out if anything needs to be tweaked and if so what those items may be.

FTS:

Others:

CAUSE FOR CONCERN:

Whatever is going on on this colony doesn't look good, insights would be helpful. Thanks in advance!

james30ct · Apr 30, 2015

Do you know mag, cal, and alk levels?

SteelerMike · Apr 30, 2015

I would guess an alk swing by the looks of that sps colony

JerSaint · Apr 30, 2015

I will be testing the water today but I only have API tests , so limited and only so accurate. He has BRS dosers and runs two part, mag and vinegar. I will update with the results this evening.

glb · Apr 30, 2015

If API is all you can get right now, by all means use it. Any testing is better than not testing at all. Salifert has an alk test that's not that expensive. If I had to choose which test to upgrade first, I'd pick Alk.

AquaMama13 · Apr 30, 2015

Just wanted to say thank you
Jeremy for helping keep Phils tank going, it is very much appreciated.

JerSaint · Apr 30, 2015

Thanks Amy! I have had some help as well Bryan (Bryan47) and Sean (firstlight10) have both come by and lent a hand.

I just ran the numbers I could.

Calcium = 420ppm
KH = 11*
Phosphate = 0.0 ppm
Nitrate = 0.0 ppm

I think I am going to need to pick up some better tests. I know Salifert was mentioned I have also heard Red Sea is pretty good. Ease of use is a big plus ( I plan on having Cynthia (Sister in law) start tracking numbers as part of her maintance routine). Also, does anybody now of a LFS that carries tests?

Masedaddy · May 1, 2015

Alk is high... Try Salifert easy to use

firstlight10 · May 1, 2015

If you want a second opinion on the test results I have a Sailfret PO4 and Magnesium kit. I could meet up with you this weekend to get the water sample.

JerSaint · May 1, 2015

firstlight10 said:
If you want a second opinion on the test results I have a Sailfret PO4 and Magnesium kit. I could meet up with you this weekend to get the water sample.

That would be great! I can't do it this weekend though. I am going over on Tuesday am. I could bring you a sample then, if that would work.

firstlight10 · May 2, 2015

That works for me.

JerSaint · May 5, 2015

Thanks for running the numbers Sean (Firstlight10).

Here we go-

Alk 8kH
Phos ~.25
1370 Mag

SteelerMike · May 5, 2015

Those numbers look fine as a point in time but if the alk went from 11 to 8 that could easily be the cause for the sps to look that way, especially if it has been going up and down for some time. Really need to see numbers over time..maybe find someone who can monitor it going forward....

firstlight10 · May 5, 2015

I was just going to post the water quality numbers but Jeremy beat me to it!

Calcium is 380.

JerSaint · May 6, 2015

I am hoping to do weekly testing with the help of Sean for the next month or so to see if things are staying steady or there are swings going on. I think the test result differences were user error on my part. If I notice up and downs I will likely need some help from someone who has experience with BRS dosers and two part. I will keep posting the numbers and would love to keep hearing feedback.

Masedaddy · Jul 20, 2015

Any updates on Phil's tank?

JerSaint · Jul 20, 2015

I am going by tomorrow to do a check up and grab water for testing. I will post a few pics if possible and give an update with results for tracking parameters.

Masedaddy · Aug 2, 2015

Any news?

JerSaint · Aug 2, 2015

I went by last week and the tank is looking pretty good. I didn't grab a sample but will next time I go by. I switched from 2 part to kalk and will be tracking any changes. We lost a struggling hammer and a torch. I am just trying to maintain balance. In the tank and make it as easy for his sister as possible.