30g Nano Cube

[Skimmerking]

ok found the little guy on the left 8

[michika]

We have a winner!!!

[Skimmerking]

I love your clam on the right thou is that a squamosa

[michika]

Yes, I believe it is.

[michika]

The tank has been chugging along pretty well since my last update.

Yesterday my float valve for my auto top off failed in the on position, and my tank's SG dropped from 1.025 to 1.021 overnight. I have returned it 1.023.

Tank parameters from today, after the big freshwater flood:
Temp: 79.7
pH: 8.1
SG: 1.023 (aiming for 1.024)
dKH: 6
Ca: 320 (Before adding the Kalk Reactor)
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 0ppm
Ammonia: 0ppm
Magnesium: ~1200ppm

Today I added on a kalk reactor to help maintain my calcium levels. I'm using a Kent Phosban reactor filled with kalk powder. So far the output is testing well, Calcium is off the chart, and pH is higher the 8.8 (the max my kit tests for).

The biggest hurdle right now in the way of tank parameters is dKH. Hopefully the Kalk reactor will maintain my calcium, and then I won't have to worry about that. I looked at getting a Calcium reactor, but right now the only one I could find wouldn't fit in my sump. I am considering a DIY reactor, but for now I will continue to dose with a suppliment.

Magnesium levels are holding nicely, especially in light of the fact that I have two red mangrove plants sucking it back. I am hoping to come up with a dosing regiment for magneisum in the next few weeks.

Pretty much everything is going well. I've taken steps to correct the lighting, and to try and prevent any forseeable water quality issues. The next hurdle will be continuing to monitor the levels, and to come up wtih a schedule for dosing, etc.

I am also looking into a controller again, so far I'm not having a lot of luck finding a system that is mac compatable.

Along the way I have accidentally made a few frags, which I promptly glued to some rubble. My goal, once I move in a week, is to start trying to add more colorful frags to the system, oranges, pinks, bright purples, etc.

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Originally Posted by michika

I'm using a Kent Phosban reactor filled with kalk powder.

Hey, can you explain how you did this? I've considered doing this, but would be good to know how you went about it :-)

[michika]

Der_Iron_Chef,

Here is how I set it up:

I started with my Phosban reactor, then I removed the sponges.


I added on tubing for the intake and output.


I used John Guest fittings because the tubing fit over the fittings.


Then I added in Kalk powder from LittleSilverMax, and hooked it up to my top off pump. I'm only using 2 teaspoons of powder in the reactor at the moment. After that I shook up the reactor, and manuvered all the bubbles out. I've adjusted the drip rate to be avoid spiking my pH, and arranged for it to drip in a high flow area, in this case, the output of my skimmer. Now I just have to remember to shake the reactor up every few days.

I hope this helps, or at least clarifyies the process. Let me know if you need more information.

[michika]

The tank is having a few nasty outbreaks. I'm experiencing cyano, and in the last two days a sudden bloom of green hair algae.

Lately every time I do something in the tank I seem to make an accidental frag, so I have a bunch of frags I'm starting to grow out for sale.

I'm seeing my SPS coloring up with brighter, and more distinct colors.
This is a frag from 5/23

This is the same frag on 5/25

Under the actinics only

I expect it to eventually darken out like its parent

I recently added more inverts to my cleaning crew. I added in bumblebee snails, and blue leg hermits to help give more live to the tank, and for some added benefits.

I will be fixing the lighting issue (too yellow) this weekend, by replacing the 10,000K PC bulb with an actinic.

The plan right now is to
- figure out whats wrong with my auto-top off float switches
- combat the green hair algae
- combat the cyano
- Ensure my Ca levels stay steady via the kalk. reactor
- Look into a calcium reactor, and a 2.5lb CO2 bottle.
- stop making accidental frags