08trdoffroad's Rimless 60 gal Mixed Reef Build

[08TRDOFFROAD]

Tested the same water sample at home...pretty significant difference in Alkalinity.

Hmm.

 

[nursedude]

Tested the same water sample at home...pretty significant difference in Alkalinity.

Hmm.

I am so glad you posted this! I have the same dilemma - my local store here in Phoenix uses the same testing equipment and there is a 22 point difference between my home Hanna Checker and their equipment. I am wondering if I might play to the middle and not worry about the specific number and just hold a constant value like 185 ppm, which would be 10.3 dKH per Hanna and 9.1 DKH per the Spin Touch.

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

Phosphates tested 0.00 on my Hanna checker (was busy getting the nitrate test started and didn't get a Pic before the tester shut off...rookie mistake. Will start nitrate test first from now on)

Nitrates matched the spin test.

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

I am so glad you posted this! I have the same dilemma - my local store here in Phoenix uses the same testing equipment and there is a 22 point difference between my home Hanna Checker and there equipment. I am wondering if I might play to the middle and not worry about the specific number and just hold a constant value like 185 ppm, which would be 10.3 dKH per Hanna and 9.1 DKH per the Spin Touch.

Very interesting! Very similar difference in our test results. Both spin tests reading lower alk...

This is exactly what I was thinking about doing too. Up my AFR until my home test is 9.5ish dKH and the spin test reading above 8, then I would know I was in the right wheel house for sure!

 

[Mas0n]

Went to a new LFS today and had them spin my water.

Here are the results!

Alk is a bit lower than I'd like. Might up the AFR a ml or 2 to bring it up a little. Nitrates are zero....need to figure out how to bring nitrates up, without adding more phosphates, and bring phosphates down.

Suggestions?

I’ve had issues with low nitrate as well. I dose NeoNitro to keep them around 5-10ppm.

Could always feed more! But that may raise phosphate as well.

 

[dangles]

Phosphates tested 0.00 on my Hanna checker (was busy getting the nitrate test started and didn't get a Pic before the tester shut off...rookie mistake. Will start nitrate test first from now on)

Nitrates matched the spin test.

I’ve had to retest phos more than I care to admit because it shut off before I got a peep at it

 

[dangles]

Phosphates tested 0.00 on my Hanna checker (was busy getting the nitrate test started and didn't get a Pic before the tester shut off...rookie mistake. Will start nitrate test first from now on)

Nitrates matched the spin test.

Maybe just dose some NeoNitro? I’ve got a couple of bottles on standby for that situation. I’ve had to dose a little bit of it a few times when my NO3 bottomed out.

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

I’ve had issues with low nitrate as well. I dose NeoNitro to keep them around 5-10ppm.

Could always feed more! But that may raise phosphate as well.

Maybe just dose some NeoNitro? I’ve got a couple of bottles on standby for that situation. I’ve had to dose a little bit of it a few times when my NO3 bottomed out.

I am going to hold off on replacing my filter socks and unplugged my skimmer to see what happens.

 

[Mas0n]

I am going to hold off on replacing my filter socks and unplugged my skimmer to see what happens.

Nice, I’m doing that currently as well. My skimmer is on for the pH benefits, but I have the cup off so it doesn’t collect skimmate.

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

Nice, I’m doing that currently as well. My skimmer is on for the pH benefits, but I have the cup off so it doesn’t collect skimmate.

I thought about leaving it on with the gate wide open so all it does is oxygenated the water, but doesn't pull anything out.

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

My green mushroom has successfully complete a split this weekend!

And my oxides are looking sexy post water change!

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

Forgot to post this on Christmas! My mother in law helped me up my future qt game!

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

I thought about leaving it on with the gate wide open so all it does is oxygenated the water, but doesn't pull anything out.

I ended up plugging it back in and just leaving the gate valve wide open for now! I too like the PH benefits as mine stays really close to 8.0.

 

[Mas0n]

I ended up plugging it back in and just leaving the gate valve wide open for now! I too like the PH benefits as mine stays really close to 8.0.

While I was away my pH peaked at 8.4 daily, now that the dog and I are back exhaling co2 all day, my pH peaks at 8.1-8.2 haha! I need to figure out how to move some fresh air in.

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

While I was away my pH peaked at 8.4 daily, now that the dog and I are back exhaling co2 all day, my pH peaks at 8.1-8.2 haha! I need to figure out how to move some fresh air in.

Do you have the ability to run a tube for fresh air to the skimmer intake?

 

[Mas0n]

Do you have the ability to run a tube for fresh air to the skimmer intake?

I don’t currently, but I do have a DIY co2 scrubbed that helped a little.

I plan to run a line outside once I upgrade and switch to Kalk. We’ll see!

 

[dangles]

I don’t currently, but I do have a DIY co2 scrubbed that helped a little.

I plan to run a line outside once I upgrade and switch to Kalk. We’ll see!

What do you use now, if not kalk? You may find you don’t need a scrubber after a while using kalk.

Not intending to hijack @08TRDOFFROAD ’s thread of course lol

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

What do you use now, if not kalk? You may find you don’t need a scrubber after a while using kalk.

Not intending to hijack @08TRDOFFROAD ’s thread of course lol

No worries! I am learning things too! Carry on!

 

[Mas0n]

What do you use now, if not kalk? You may find you don’t need a scrubber after a while using kalk.

Not intending to hijack @08TRDOFFROAD ’s thread of course lol

All For Reef, since my tank is small (40g). It has been simple and efficient so far!

Looking forward to using other methods on a larger tank though when I upgrade.

 

[dangles]

All For Reef, since my tank is small (40g). It has been simple and efficient so far!

Looking forward to using other methods on a larger tank though when I upgrade.

If my pH doesn’t stop rising I may back off on the kalk and add A4R to supplement.

I know. “My pH is too high!” rough life

Depending on your coral load though you could do kalk. But at 40 gallons you may be able to get away with just doing 25% water changes weekly and be total fine