The LAST big upgrade

[Delphinus]

I'll tell you what's weird, I just bought some new NLS flakes, Optimum or something-or-other for Saltwater, to replace my about-to-be-empty one, and it's the same lot # (101) but whereas my old one said "Expires June 2015" the new one says "Expires June 2014." But the same lot#. Me no compendy that. Not a biggie, mind you since I know it will be empty way before that but still worthy of a raised eyebrow for a few seconds.

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by Delphinus

I'll tell you what's weird, I just bought some new NLS flakes, Optimum or something-or-other for Saltwater, to replace my about-to-be-empty one, and it's the same lot # (101) but whereas my old one said "Expires June 2015" the new one says "Expires June 2014." But the same lot#. Me no compendy that. Not a biggie, mind you since I know it will be empty way before that but still worthy of a raised eyebrow for a few seconds.

Maybe the stamp machine expired or something?

[michika]

Originally Posted by mrhasan

Maybe the stamp machine expired or something?

Wouldn't that be ironic, the expiration date stamp on all our products has nothing to do with the actual product you purchased, but is infact the expiry date of the stamp machine.


I think I'll duck out of work on time today and head over to Concept to do some shopping. I need me some sand, and lightbulbs!

[JDigital]

When you get around to making a batch of SW with that coralife salt, I'd like to hear what your dKH readings are. See my PM for more details.

[michika]

DKH is reading high 16 with the salt at 1.022 and I need another heater, I can't my second titanium heater I bought for this system.

[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

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