20gallon long tranformed into a 48gallon cube! Soon two cubes = 120g

[thatmanMIKEson]

I got the lights hung this week, also installed the abs bottom.

I will be draining and doing a final fill, and adding salt this weekend.

I got started on it, I guess I just want to get it finished lol.

Obviously this light is going to need a shade, I will probably be doing the black acrylic on 3 sides like the othe tank.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

It's official, I have the tank running with salt and temperature set, ill be adding a few sump rocks and tank water to this system in the next few days, I also have a 15lb order from k.p coming in the beginning of the year.

I have this small 20g, I'm going to incorporate the rock and inhabitants to this system minus the sand.

Also another big thing I'm going to try on this system is..............KALKWASSER!!!! I've never used KALKWASSER before I have always been very nervous about handling it and personal safety, but now I feel like I can mitigate the risks enough, to be more comfortable with handling this caustic chemical . I'm hoping to work it into this system with a very light demand so when I tie the two systems together I can use both kalkwasser and a sodium carbonate/ calcium chloride two part.

I will work the kalkwasser in at night on the new tank system, and slowly back off alkalinity dosing just before lights on, on the existing tank to work in a small amount of kalk dosing at night on that one, basically I would like to use both additives, but in smaller amounts, and when the tanks tie in hopefully the system has an easier adjustment process. Im hoping to use the more cost effective kalkwasser while getting the night time ph benefits from it, and do some of the more "heavy lifting " with the 2 part, but this will definitely be a test, like I said I'm not experienced with kalkwasser and the chemical handling of it makes me nervous...

Lastly, I will be using the "Chris meckley method" for dosing kalkwasser....to an extent, actually i will be monitoring KH over PH, ph is not what I believe is more important for me in my situation at this time, but this will be an interesting experiment for me, and who knows what doors it will open.

Day: 1

 

[Projects with Sam]

ReefDork YouTube channel just did a big thing on Kalkwasser.

 

[Miami Reef]

Kalkwasser is great! I don’t think there’s a need to be scared of it!

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

Kalkwasser is great! I don’t think there’s a need to be scared of it!

I dont take chemical handling and exposure lightly, one time is one thing but a ritual of doing something every week for potentially years is another, so I've been hesitant to start another chemical that I might not necessarily need.

I'm going to get the correct PPE and work on a method to minimize the potential of contact, but I will still be hesitant and mixing it outside just because of the dust.

 

[Miami Reef]

I dont take chemical handling and exposure lightly, one time is one thing but a ritual of doing something every week for potentially years is another, so I've been hesitant to start another chemical that I might not necessarily need.

I'm going to get the correct PPE and work on a method to minimize the potential of contact, but I will still be hesitant and mixing it outside just because of the dust.

You do have a point! I remember I was scared the first time I handled my chemicals.

I have been around some pretty crazy chemicals because of this hobby.

The things we do for our tanks, lol.


I know you’ll be fine because you are cautious. Gloves are good to have, and if you ever get something on your skin, it is best to wash it thoroughly with water.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

I have been working on tuning the new system, also i got the 11gallon fiji cube ext, and will be plumbing it in soon. I thought better to season it with the new tank, all the new stuff can get old together.

Mixing kalk like Walter white!

Lots of work and organizing still need to be done, but its on its way!

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

This tank is hard to photograph but it's looking great in person right now, allot of the algaes are dying back, but still around.

I just put this Christmas acro in for the holidays

 

[Miami Reef]

This tank is hard to photograph but it's looking great in person right now, allot of the algaes are dying back, but still around.

I just put this Christmas acro in for the holidays

I love this set of photos! Is your tank this blue in person?

Can we get a video one day?

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

I love this set of photos! Is your tank this blue in person?

Can we get a video one day?

It's that blue in the back because of the xho strip back there, but its a little different look in person I'd say.

I'm not sure I can get a video but maybe, I'll have to look into it, I've been wanting to expand my photography a little.

This tank has a daylight period but it's a blue tone overall with the blue plus t5 lamps.

 

[Projects with Sam]

I am running the blue plus t5s too and I agree it’s really blue overall. I counter with my noops but I should really get a par meter on it all…
Your tank looks sweet on most photos you take.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

A few top downs

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

Started plumbing in the 11g fijicube over the sump, ill be filling it soon, running a little carbon temporarily.

Plumbing space is starting to get filled up im glad I went this route, it's starting to make me think of never having a sump under a tank again, there is so much more room for access.

 

[Miami Reef]

Started plumbing in the 11g fijicube over the sump, ill be filling it soon, running a little carbon temporarily.

Plumbing space is starting to get filled up im glad I went this route, it's starting to make me think of never having a sump under a tank again, there is so much more room for access.

Thank you for documenting this!

Is it also better for the electrical department of reefing? I can imagine how much easier and safer it is for the electrical things to be open to access.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

Thank you for documenting this!

Is it also better for the electrical department of reefing? I can imagine how much easier and safer it is for the electrical things to be open to access.

Yeah im hoping to look back after a few years and see the journey.

I'm a journeyman electrician so I get a pass on anything electrical

 

[Miami Reef]

I'm a journeyman electrician so I get a pass on anything electrical

What does that mean? What kind of pass do you get? Is that an electrician slang?

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

I filled up the frag tank today, it's about 10 gallons with nothing in it. It's going to be sweet, I have the ai prime that's going over it. I have this tank for extra available work space, and moving frags around plus it's cool.

I'm still organizing things and the tank is cycling, now the small frag tank can season along with it.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

Icp in today, salinity is a little high along with a few other things, mostly a good test .

ATI Aquaristik Lab

Default Description

lab.atiaquaristik.com

 

[Projects with Sam]

MOAR frag tank

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

MOAR frag tank

MOAR? What's that mean?