Canreef Aquatics Bulletin Board - Scott's 270g aka Project Mayhem

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- - Scott's 270g aka Project Mayhem (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=96323)

shabidou1990

05-07-2016 03:34 AM

Take the average?? Flip a 3 sided coin ? Or ask a ouija board maybe!!! I'll come help ;)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Scythanith

05-08-2016 05:29 AM

You always cheat on the ouija board!

Myka	05-08-2016 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scythanith (Post 990702)

Used three Magnesium test kits. An old Salifert, new Salifert and a new Red Sea.

Old Salifert test kit: 1065
New Salifert kit: 1305
New Red Sea kit: 1380

What the hell lol!

Haha, you and test kits! :lol: How many times have you used the RS kit so far? The Red Sea Mg kit is really finicky - I won't buy it again. That said, I can get the same reading from Salifert as Red Sea, but those first 5 drops in the RS kit need to be done 15 seconds apart. Stupid.

I'd dismiss the old kit results because now that I use test kits multiple times everyday and they only last me a couple months maximum, I'm finding new kits match up with "old" kits. I've come to the conclusion that older kits start wandering quicker than we might expect. Looking back through 5 years of test result journals anecdotally confirms this suspicion.

I wouldn't care much between the two remaining results - both are above NSW Mg level.

Scythanith

05-21-2016 07:59 PM

Test time again this morning!

Ca - Hanna HI758

426ppm - Test 1: Old reagent (exp 11/16)
432ppm - Test 2: New reagent (exp 03/18)
433ppm - Test 3: Same reagent as above

Alk - HI755

130ppm - Test 1: Old reagent (exp 03/16)!!!
154ppm - test 2: New reagent (can't remember exp, but it's new)
153ppm - Test 3: Same reagent as above

Mg - RedSea Magnesium Pro Kit

1380ppm

Phos - Red Sea Phosphate Pro Kit

0.02 - 0.04ppm

NO3 - Red Sea Nitrate Pro Kit

32ppm!!!!!

So obviously I haven't been keeping up on my water changes, look at those nitrates! I think it's having a detrimental effect on some of my corals. So I did a ~40g water change and I have another one mixing as we speak. I may do a 40g change every couple days to try and drive those nitrates down. If I do a 40g change every two days for a week that will be approx. 38% water change.

Second point of this post, check your reagent expiry dates :) I think that was part of my issue with my parameters seeming funky for the last couple months.

Scythanith

06-09-2016 02:46 PM

Hello All,

I recently had a large rtn/stn event and I couldn't figure it out. It started on one coral (not new to the system and spread out from that point like a wild fire. Currently the death has stopped, seemingly confused by a large encrusted sunset montipora. But up to that point it eradicated a bunch of Acropora sp. and a M. setosa. As far as all my tests told me my numbers were all in the wheelhouse. I also use a microscope professionally and could not see any unwanted pests on the corals I removed from the system. I only observed a magnificent foxface picking at the dead skeletons once algae started to grow on them. A bit of background info:

I use all Tropic Marin products (TM Bio Actif Sea Salt, TM Bailing 3-part, TM K+ & A- Elements)
I guess that's a lie, I also dose Zeovit Pohl's Xtra
I use GHL dosers to deliver the dosing (recently re-calibrated since the death started. They were only off by 5ml/min)
RO/DI system testing 12ppm on the clean side (I know I need to change the cartridges and the DI resin is pretty spent)
I do a ~45g water change every 2 weeks
I use Hanna Alk, Ca & PO4 handheld testers
I use Red Sea Pro Test kits for Mg, NO3 & PO4

My corresponding kits test results vary quite a bit in the Ca (478ppm) and Mg (1260ppm). I performed the tests at the same time as drawing the water for the Triton vials (or at least within 10 minutes).

So Triton says I am way low on Ca (323 mg/l), high on Mg (1449 mg/l), and have dangerous levels of Boron & Molybdenum. The test mentioned Mo can cause cyano, and I do have a little patch of it in the back section of the tank. So what do you all think I should do? Where is my Boron coming from?

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...-p4WjTXM-L.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...-phB8srx-L.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...-Vdt3B3Z-L.jpg

MitchM

06-09-2016 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scythanith (Post 993224)

... Where is my Boron coming from?

...

Scythanith, have you had a read through this article?
There is a list of Boron sources in a reef tank near the middle of the article.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/12/chemistry

.

Scythanith

06-09-2016 03:41 PM

I have not but I will right now. I am also going to contact TM to find out if there is Boron in any of their products I use, even in trace amounts.

Thanks!

MitchM

06-09-2016 03:52 PM

You're welcome.
As far as what to do about the elevated Boron, try growing some macro algae somewhere in your system, if you're not already.

Scythanith

06-09-2016 04:19 PM

Good read. I have a spot I can easily grow a ball of macro. I even have a red GHL simustick I've been meaning to use for something. May as well be this!

sphelps

06-09-2016 05:33 PM

Way back in the day I stopped using Ocean Pure salt because I discovered it contained higher than normal levels of boron. For that reason the TM salt would be the first thing I would rule out. Get a freshly mixed batch of salt water tested with Triton to see how the base line compares.

Scythanith

06-09-2016 05:43 PM

Yep that's a good idea. Will a ~60g batch be big enough to give a good representation of the salt?

Myka	06-10-2016 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scythanith (Post 993246)

Yep that's a good idea. Will a ~60g batch be big enough to give a good representation of the salt?

Do you mean 60 grams of salt or 60 gallons of saltwater? If you mean the latter then that would be fine. The former would be questionable imo.

I'm not sure if TM uses Boron in their alkalinity supplement. There is also Boron in the Coral K Elements. I'm not sure I would be concerned about Boron at that level though.

Regarding the Mo - it's in the Coral A Elements.

I'm betting if you test your water with a Salifert Calcium kit you'll get a reading much closer to the Triton results. The Hanna Calcium Checker is notorious for giving false high readings - even if you're getting consistent readings. Also, if you're using the RO/DI water with 12 ppm TDS for the Calcium Checker that will throw it off too - you should be using distilled water for best results. My Calcium Checker is a shelf decoration and as far as I'm concerned that's all it's good for.

...And for the love of sticks why are you running old RO filters?! :eek: :lol:

Specifically read the part under "Deionizing Resin Depletion Issues" and make note that the DI resin is what takes the ammonia out of the city water here since Saskatoon adds chloramines to the water. Ammonia goes through the reverse osmosis membrane.

Scythanith

06-10-2016 03:48 PM

Gallons you meathead :)

Hans-Werner Balling himself has been emailing back and forth with me and has given me some good feedback. Like you said Myka, there is Boron in the form of boric acid in the K+and Molybdenum in the A-. The only reason I am concerned about the Bo levels is the Triton test analysis flagged it as dangerously high. Supposedly it will hit the fish and mobile inverts before the sessile ones. My fish, snails and conches are fine so far.

I will be switching over to a new Ca & Alk test kit once I get home. And to make Myka happy I will change out my RODI filters :) I get that the 12ppm could be affecting the Ca test. But if 12ppm is causing the RTN/STN problem... I will eat my socks. I used to use treated tap water quite successfully.

Myka	06-10-2016 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scythanith (Post 993294)

Gallons you meathead :)

:lol: Ok good. In my line of business I've learned to not make assumptions. :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scythanith (Post 993294)

Hans-Werner Balling himself has been emailing back and forth with me and has given me some good feedback. Like you said Myka, there is Boron in the form of boric acid in the K+and Molybdenum in the A-. The only reason I am concerned about the Bo levels is the Triton test analysis flagged it as dangerously high. Supposedly it will hit the fish and mobile inverts before the sessile ones. My fish, snails and conches are fine so far.

Triton makes up their own ideal and dangerous levels, so you have to take it with a grain of salt.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scythanith (Post 993294)

I will be switching over to a new Ca & Alk test kit once I get home. And to make Myka happy I will change out my RODI filters :) I get that the 12ppm could be affecting the Ca test. But if 12ppm is causing the RTN/STN problem... I will eat my socks. I used to use treated tap water quite successfully.

:lol: I never said the 12 ppm TDS from the RO/DI caused the RTN problem. I'd like you see you or anyone else eat your socks though. For arguments' sake depending what that 12 ppm is, it could cause complete tank loss, but the chances of that happening from typical city water are pretty much next to null. The biggest issue with burned out DI resin though, as the article descripbes, is that the resin may suddenly dump ions that it has attracted, so theoretically this could be a really bad situation. In reality, it's not good, but it's typically not all death and destruction either.

It's probably the LEDs. :p (kidding)

Scythanith

06-11-2016 01:44 PM

I will indeed take the company with millions and millions of dollars of equipment and more scientific knowledge that I hope to possess recommendations with a grain of salt ;) Yes, that was sarcasm lol! I know nothing about Boron aside from its on the periodic table and it's in borax. Of course I am going to take their opinion. They have tested NSW and found average levels of which it only makes sense to try to mimic.

I know you didn't say 12ppm was causing the episode, I just like busting your balls.

And yes, it's the LED's without a doubt :)

Myka	06-12-2016 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scythanith (Post 993357)

I just like busting your balls.

Doooood, I froze my balls off my first winter in Saskatchewan! :eek:

What I was trying to get at with the Boron is that with the level being approximately double NSW that's not high enough to cause the RTN episode. Sure, finding the source and lowering it to NSW would be ideal. Fwiw, if you haven't come across it yet, Randy Homes-Farley suggests the Salifert Boron test kit to achieve a "ball park" boron level if it's something you would like to monitor without having to do a $60 Triton test repetitively. www.reefsupplies.ca carries it or I'm sure you could order it from Bayside.

Oh, and I'm glad that you realize it's the LEDs. I can't wait to see your tank with 400w Radiums! :D I would suggest you buy a second air conditioner for your home too. :p

Scythanith

08-05-2016 02:12 AM

Used my stemi 2000-C to catch a couple close up pics. Found a new acro problem...

Red Bug

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...5W9z9nc-XL.jpg

People Eater
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...F4csnHz-XL.jpg

Rainbow chalice

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...Wkf6N97-XL.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...LMPvGGp-XL.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...3nJKpth-XL.jpg

Space Invader Pectina

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...6fhX9Xn-XL.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...S4Gtg5W-XL.jpg

hillegom

08-05-2016 02:45 AM

Nice close ups of your corals
Best pic of a red bug I have ever seen

Myka	08-05-2016 03:04 AM

Jeez, you can't catch a break! :eek: At least you're still taking some sweet photos!

tang daddy

08-05-2016 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka (Post 993392)

Doooood, I froze my balls off my first winter in Saskatchewan! :eek:

Bioballs?

Syathanith I thought red bugs were all red, as I always say red dots wiggling before but my eyes aren't as good, maybe it's something else?
Or perhaps it's the zoo they eat that turns them red....

Those are awesome macro shots, I think they discontinued interceptor awhile back but there supposedly a replacement. I still have some from years ago.

Red bugs aren't as harmfull as those other flat buggers, gl bro and keep this pics coming!

Myka	08-05-2016 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tang daddy (Post 996142)

Bioballs?

Syathanith I thought red bugs were all red, as I always say red dots wiggling before but my eyes aren't as good, maybe it's something else?

Haha bio balls. ..

Red bugs are kinda yellow with a red head. I'm not sure those are red bugs...I've never seen red bugs on anything except smooth skin Acros. ..certainly not LPS. Looks like something else to me..??

davej

08-05-2016 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scythanith (Post 996122)

Used my stemi 2000-C to catch a couple close up pics. Found a new acro problem...

Red Bug

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...5W9z9nc-XL.jpg

Posted question on reef2reef about bug got answer from lionfish lair who is great at ID'ing critters

Quote:

That's a serolid.

http://www.reef2reef.com/threads/any.../#post-3084199

tang daddy

08-06-2016 06:42 AM

Interesting, thanks for the id Dave.