★★★ Project " GENESIS (II) 2020 " ★ [ Re-Engineered / REBOOT ] ★ SPS 110G ★★★

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WallyB

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I know for the khg the reagent is way cheaper to make like 7 cents a test
7 Cents sounds like might be worth trying. Do you know the recipe?
The AquaMon is a Lab in some way. I can make batches, and run samples over and over till it's right.
 
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WallyB

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THanks @justingraham ,

I had a peek, and more digging around into products and local supplier availability.
Getting the Blue PH Agent and the HCl Acid would be around $40+$40+shipping for a litre of each.
Doing the (rough) math assuming I would use all that up that's around 1,000 tests (min). or $0.10/test for DIY Reagent.
The Hanna Reagent at $15 gives 25 Tests of $0.60/test for Hanna Reagent.

Worse case if I do daily testing 365 x $.10 costs me $36 per year (DIY), vs Hanna $219

If I stabilize my Tank and only need to test weekly the Hanna/AquaMon yearly cost drops down to $31

Sounds like it might be worth a try when Spring Weather Get's here, since I don't like to do Acid Fumes indoors.
Mostly for the Challenge that I can figure out the formula.... However using the Alk Monitor Effectively is just as cost effective.
 
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WallyB

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Incredible ( Front Yard - Tunneling Mouse ) Spring SNOW Thaw

You know I don't have much to do.....when I notice/post stuff like this....

This is the first time I've ever seen this. Lived at this house for 18 years.

Last week our Front Yard was covered in 2 feet of Snow. The rain last couple of days washed the Snow away.
Yesterday I notice a weird zig-zagged pattern ACROSS my whole front lawn.

Looking closely, I notice a tunnel system that was (before) just below the Snowline, now EXPOSED.

2020-03-11_SnowMouse1.jpg


Some creature, dug the network it thru the winter.
Tunnels everywhere, and quite the impressive Subway (sub-Snow) system (Along the house, and into backyard too)
2020-03-11_SnowMouse2.jpg


In a few spot along the Tunnels there are these STATIONS (Dome Grass Hubs)

2020-03-11_SnowMouse3.jpg


Now I highly care about all Living Creatures. I rescue snails being attacked by Hermits, and even rescue Hermits from Hermits.
I hurt emotionally when Fish get sick or are dying.

But last night we saw the mouse crawling up my brickwork into the Sofits. Scared my wife and kids.
I have my limits on compassion for Pests......I put out a Couple of Humane Mice Traps, and mouse was caught over night.

I sure the Mouse had a Blast All winter long in that massive home (Under the Snow).
 
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WallyB

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THE "Additive" ITCH ( Temptation Relief ) FRAG TANK ( *REMEDY* )

With the SPS tank showing improvements daily, the BAD OLD temptation is there. (Why not make things better!!)

My Mini Fridge is full of Past Mistakes.

2020-03-11_Additives.jpg


I won't submit to the Temptation on my Precious SPS Tank (Best turn around in long time)


However, why not fool around in the Frag TANK. Nothing to loose (Except mess up a small 35 G tank, which is easy to reset)

Maybe put in a Healing SPS Piece. And a few New Healthy (cheap Frags)
If they do well, they can always be put into DT.
 
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WallyB

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NEXT PROJECT : ( FOR FRAG TANK ) Another TANK Mate (All-In-One Controller)

If I'm going to Mess around in the Frag Tank, I have to do it right. ( I already know Frag Tank Failed Before without Dosing )

I have the AquaMon Alk Monitor so that takes cares of ALK/CALC/MAG (when using 2 Part dosing).
Frag Tank already get's Auto Water changes (old water from DT).

I'l re-use the code from my Tank-Mate DOSER and ATO,......
....Add a couple more Parameters (Salinity and Temp) for an ALL IN ONE (Frag Tank Controller).

2020-03-12_TankMateSYS.jpg


Should take a week and a bit.....
(since I have all the parts)..... I still haven't figured out a Final Name for it.


Not 100% sure if I'll Tackle Salinity (never done that before).

DOWN THE ROAD...Might even Do Integration with AquaMon, for Auto Dosing control (that will be V2.0 upgrade...much later)
 
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WallyB

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OLD PAST (DEAD/REMOVED) FRAGS coming Back to Life

With the Tank SPS starting to Glow more under Blue Lighting......

I'm noticing re-growth on spots I removed Frags that died in past.

3 of out of 6-7 examples that I see right now.

2020-03-13_PastFragRecovery-2.jpg

The first one above, is easy. A Branching Cryphastrea remnant Plug is starting up again.




2020-03-13_PastFragRecovery-3.jpg

I'm not sure, but there was a Green Montipora Confusia There before.


But the next one is unknown. I need to check History Photos (Really Back into Past)
Could it be a Jack-O-Latern?

2020-03-13_PastFragRecovery-1.jpg


This is Cool. (Free Frags are always Cool !! IF WANTED )

I found an OLD PHOTO....and it Confirms, the Jack-O-Lantern, and the MontiPora Confusia.

2020-03-13_PastFragOLDPhoto.jpg


It also Confirm a SPS I DON'T WANT coming back (but is!!) ( the Christmas Tree Monti, that can grow out of control)
 
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WallyB

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Sneak Peek ( Tank Mate Frag Tank Controller ) and ROUGH Salinity Monitor Idea.

So I've been looking in the Whole Salinity Probe concept. Not complex, but could get pricey to make high Precision.

A precise Salinity Monitor needs to get Accurate Conductivity and Accurate Temperature.
That means Calibrating BOTH, possibly over and over as Sensors drift.

Look at this Kit from Atlas Scientific for a Salinity Probe Module. ($287)
https://www.atlas-scientific.com/product_pages/kits/ec_k1_0_kit.html
If you don't read the fine print, it doesn't even compensate for Temperature.
You need to buy the TEMP kit too. ($68)
https://www.atlas-scientific.com/product_pages/kits/temp_kit.html
**Waste of Money for a Reef Salinity Monitor**

Instead, I've leaning toward a a NON-PRECISE Salinity Monitor. With narrow Range (around 1.026)

Who cares if my Salnity is 1.026 , 1.0265 or 1.0241. (That's what my Refractomer is for, with Calibration Solution)

What I care about is not to get off track too much. (which happened to my LPS Tank a couple weeks ago)


So it will be a inaccurate (CONSITENT) Salinity Measurement , but I will Monitor and Alert for any Significant SHIFT (up or down).
That brings the price down to Pennies.

And here is what the Frag Tank Monitor/ATO is starting to look like (CASE IS 75% Complete)

With what I think will be a Simple Name. (Along the lines of ENVIRONMENT Monitor/Controller)

I was thinking "Tank Mate SENTINEL" .... but am leaning towards this..

2020-03-14_SneakPeek-TankMate-ENV.jpg


Next is Wiring, and Code re-used/tweaks, and make the Cheap Salinity Probe.
 
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ScottR

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If you haven't heard already.

Feb Photo Of the Month Voting has started.

Plenty of Really Nice TANK ROOMS to see and vote for, including my Office Tank Photo #13
You can vote for more than one.
Voted for ya Wally. But seems like #17 is taking the bride home.
 
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WallyB

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SCRAPING TANK MATE (E.N.V) Change of Plans Tank Mate (Doser+ IQ-mon)

Pardon the babble talk....It may be confusing....

I was laying out components for the ENV monitor....
.... when I realized...... waste of parts to include AutoTop Up.

My AutoTop(s) are simple and do Job, and work with Auto-WaterChanger to Turn off during Water changes.

.........Also do I really need a Salinity ALERT Monitor (if I do then I want one for all 3 tanks)...
....Maybe I'll include that in this new Controller. Maybe Not. There might be space HW/SW.

MY POINT IS.....

I'm going to replace my OLD DIY Doser, and instead make this new Controller A Smart Doser..
....
that will get ALK readings from AquaMon (And automatically adjust dosing - ALL 3 Tanks)

2020-03-15_DoserPlus-IQmon.jpg


To Smart DOSE all 3 Tanks with 2 Part Dosing, I will need 6x Dosing heads.

I don't have any case big enough for 6 Doser Heads, so Two will run as External (slaves), which will work out nicely since my LPS Tank Sump is Farther Away.

This will take a bit more Time. No Rush. No Frags in Frag Tank, and Smart Dosing better be SMART!!
AquaMon will be making the Dosing Adjustment Decisions, but this Doser can't make mistakes (with the Recommended Auto-Adjustments)
 
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Nice Surprise (SPS Tank NO3) ALL Water Parameters * PERFECT & Stable*

I didn't expect this
since I don't measure Nitrates that often.

2020-03-15_SPS-Tank-WaterParmNO3.jpg


I was content a month Ago, being in the 5-10 ppm Range.

Today I checked and now I'm in the 2-5 ppm Range.

I guess Stopping Feeding Flakes really works. THANKS @tenurepro for That suggestion (and a few others).


I did add Purigen back in Dec 1st. I think I removed it a month ago.... I Need to Double check.
 
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Bubble Gum Millie ( Replaced/Moved ) Last Chance Hope to Recover (out of sight)

There is only One Frag Left in my SPS tank ( That isn't doing well ).
Normally I would throw it out, but it's NOT DEAD (YET).

I couldn't watch it anymore (around all the healthy Frags) , so I MOVED IT to back of Tank.

2020-03-15_BubbleGum-Millie-2.jpg


I was lucky that the LFS store I got the Millie before, Had ONE MORE LEFT. (Last of the Colony)

2020-03-15_BubbleGum-Millie-3.jpg


Things look better from the Front NOW!!
 
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Few Updates: ( Macro Algae / Copperband Eating in FT )


Here is another Recommendation from @tenurepro . I call him "Dr Tank", since his prescription for adjustments is working on the SPS tank.

Another recomendation was to not Harvest my Algae Scrubber, and let the Macro Grow to Critical Mass.
Last time @tenurepro was over the Macro (Cheato) was a small little patch.

2020-03-17_MacroAlgae-DT-Scrubber.jpg


Now as seen on bottom right, the Cheato has grown nicely. Plenty of room still left in Scrubber.
I wonder if @ScottR finds this batch tasty looking :)

But there is more to consider for his pallet.

As seen at Top Right Photo, the overflow area has also started growing a Different Kind of Macro Algae.
I am going to prune as needed, so it doesn't plug up the overflow grills.

(Both look Clean and Green) for the Perfect Algae SALAD :)

On the Serious side....Overall these two Algae growths coud be a factor in the Drop in Nitrates I stated above.

AND here is something Cool (which I just filmed) COPPERBAND Finally Trained to eat.


I got this 3rd Copperband (larger one) just over a week ago, for the Frag Tank.

He was pecking, and trying to eat (frozen), but didn't look like enough.
I kept trying Masstick food in a Shell, but he didn't smell or recognize it.

The two Picaasso clowns would bite as any Masstick pieces that went loose.
TODAY I moved the Shell Filled Masstick Feeder into the Clown's hangout area.
AND IT WORKED. Copperband started to eat it (mimicking the clown's behavior).

From Past Experience.....Once a Copperband get's a taste of Masstick, the transition to Frozen is very successful.
Certainly a big improvement on not Starving to Death before he learns to eat.


And the best part of a Copperband eating Masstick... is you can take some Aptasia, and mix it into the Masstick (which trains your Copperband to EAt/Like Aptasia)..That trick I learned from my QT Guy Carl.
 
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ONE MONTH (CHECK UP ) FTS [SPS-Tank] ** Nothing Exciting // NOTHING BAD **

I wasn't expecting much in one month, however 1 month without SPS dying is a good thing.

I am slowly losing my Perl Berry (1 of our 30 is normal).
Could be placement, since my LED's have just reached Peak Acclimation.

I also just threw out the Old Bubble Gum millie. Looked totally beyond repair.

Last Month.
FTS-110G-SPS-Tank-2020-02-06-Reboot-Aquamon-med.jpg


Today (1 month later)
49680818793_27ad670f3c_h.jpg


Hard to see, but the best SPS (Perk Ups) are:

(1) Rainbow Loom (2) Bonsai (3) ARC fireworks (4) Blue Tort (5) Berry Wine (6) Miyaggi, and a few others.
 
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I'm STUNNED/SHOCKED ( Unexpected Good THING ) ** Berghia Nudi in Display Tank **

I totally forgot about the Nudi's in Refuge, since FEEDER Aptasia Ran out (in refuge), and I never saw any of them anymore.
Actutally after I put 5 in the Refuge, I only saw 2 at any point.

When Aptasia ran out and 1 Nudi Left, I move that rock into my Frag Tank (Weeks ago).

Tonight I was shining a flashlight in DT, and there was a Berghia Crawling around. (100% a Berghia)
I tried to get a photo, but they move fast out of light.

TOTALLY Explains, why I also forgot about my Aptasia Problem.
There is no Aptasia anymore I can see.
This Nudi, and possibly the other 3 escaped from Refuge (thru the Mesh guard, and found their way into DT area)

WOW!! All along thought spending $15/Berghia was a waste of money (since they didn't last to do their work) and that's why I got the Copperband Butterfly.
 
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crusso1993

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I'm STUNNED/SHOCKED ( Unexpected Good THING ) ** Berghia Nudi in Display Tank **

I totally forgot about the Nudi's in Refuge, since FEEDER Aptasia Ran out (in refuge), and I never saw any of them anymore.
Actutally after I put 5 in the Refuge, I only saw 2 at any point.

When Aptasia ran out and 1 Nudi Left, I move that rock into my Frag Tank (Weeks ago).

Tonight I was shining a flashlight in DT, and there was a Berghia Crawling around. (100% a Berghia)
I tried to get a photo, but they move fast out of light.

TOTALLY Explains, why I also forgot about my Aptasia Problem.
There is no Aptasia anymore I can see.
This Nudi, and possibly the other 3 escaped from Refuge (thru the Mesh guard, and found their way into DT area)

WOW!! All along thought spending $15/Berghia was a waste of money (since they didn't last to do their work) and that's why I got the Copperband Butterfly.

Nice surprise to get!
 
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WallyB

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Nice surprise to get!
Yes it is. Wonder if there is more than one. Tonight I will look again.

I'm still scratching my head how the Nudi or Nudi(s) made it to DT from Sump.
They either took the ride into Return pump, or made it up the Overflow downflow.
They are so delicate.
 
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LOOK UP at the NIGHT SKY ( Low Pollution due to Pandemic ) Like Never Before.

My wife made a comment today after a walk that the Sky Looked Bluer, probably due to less polution Quarentines.

I just came from Outside at night, and WOW, the sky is Super Clear.

I got this Photo from my Driveway.
49685272887_828cc6e826_h.jpg


AMAZING Crystal Clear Sky. I can see stars, and that one planet so clearly.

It could be cool crisp weather, but I've been star gazing from my porch for years.

Trying to Focus on the Positives, during trying times....
 
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