The LAST big upgrade

[JDigital]

That red stand is cool..

Very minimalist on the aquascaping eh?

And did I read that right... high 16 dKH, with the coralife salt? That's 11 points higher than my box of salt.

[michika]

Yes, lots of minimalist aquascaping for now, the left side of the tank has more built up structures, but its hard to see from the photo's angle. We still haven't added anything specific to start the tank's cycle yet, it seems to be starting itself anyways, must be the live sand.

Yup 16 dKH, or 289ppm x 0.056 = 16.688.

New parameters from this afternoon though;
Temp: 75.7
Ammonia (NH3/NH4): 0 - 0.25ppm (yay a bit of an ammonia spike)
Nitrate (NO3): 0ppm
Nitrite (NO2): 0ppm
pH: 8.1
dKH: 289ppm, which again is still 16.688 dKH (wow! That is high! Coralife Marine Salt)

I am pretty indifferent to the salt's parameter given that there is nothing in the tank, but still...wow...

[brotherd]

How's that overflow working out? I have a 1000 watt heater that you might like.

[michika]

Originally Posted by brotherd

How's that overflow working out? I have a 1000 watt heater that you might like.

So far its awesome. I'm glad we went with something so wide as the sound of water flowing over it is difficult to hear at only 8ft away. It seems like the flow works as hoped, pushing any particulates towards the drains, nothing seems to be building up on the bottom.

I think the parameters is strictly just the salt. I'll look into if others have had any parameter spikes like mine or JDigital's. The SG is now spot on at our intended 1.024, and I have no reliable Ca test as mine came with no expiration date.

I'll address the issue as time goes on. I suspect its the salt having high dKH and probably Ca values. The only way I could find to reduce dKH though was muriatic acid dosing either directly into the tank (diluted with FW) or via auto top off. The other option I suppose would be to do WCs with a different, or lower dKH salt. I'm of the mind that I'll just let it run its course and see where things are at in a week or so. Should things still be running high then maybe I'll do a WC and use some of the AquaVitro salt I have.

Any other suggestions for lowering dKH?

[gregzz4]

Originally Posted by michika

Any other suggestions for lowering dKH?

You could seed some coralline and let it fall naturally, without doing any WCs
By the time you have lots of corals you'll be happy with your New SW being high enough to save you dosing

[michika]

True, and valid points.

Temp: 79.2 (up from last)
Ammonia (NH3/NH4): 0.25ppm (up from last at 0 - 0.25ppm)
Nitrate (NO3): 5ppm (up from last at 0ppm)
Nitrite (NO2): 0ppm (same)
pH: 8.2
dKH: didn't test

[michika]

Added a small, two fist sized piece of coraline encrusted LR to the system a few days ago. It looks funny, the only purple rock in a sea of white.

Temp: 79.7
Ammonia (NH3/NH4): 0.25-0.5ppm
Nitrate (NO3): 5-10ppm
Nitrite (NO2): 0ppm
pH: 8.2
dKH: didn't test

Getting there...

[gregzz4]

Originally Posted by michika

I am pretty indifferent to the salt's parameter given that there is nothing in the tank, but still...wow...

It wouldn't hurt to get your Sg in check now for the bacteria

Nice to see some water

[JDigital]

I'm not 100% sure that dKH number is correct. I've had low dkh with brand new water, my 180, denny has low dkh at the store with that salt... all of sudden its through the roof. Something seems off.

I know its hard to mess up a test with that Hanna ALK Checker (i have it too) but that much variation in a tank the size of yours (which would take a few bags (or boxes even) just seems very strange to me.

[michika]

Originally Posted by JDigital

I'm not 100% sure that dKH number is correct. I've had low dkh with brand new water, my 180, denny has low dkh at the store with that salt... all of sudden its through the roof. Something seems off.

I know its hard to mess up a test with that Hanna ALK Checker (i have it too) but that much variation in a tank the size of yours (which would take a few bags (or boxes even) just seems very strange to me.

I've only tested the tank twice for dKH;
1) SG 1.022 and the number was 289ppm
2) SG 1.024 and the number was 289ppm again

Maybe I just got all the dKH additives from the batch? I'll keep testing it as the system breaks in some more.