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BirdGuy21
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Would either of those buckets be safe to use with 74 & 10 TDS? Will buy new filters for the unit. Wow 35 vs 526- my water is dirty.
Trying to figure out the reef keeper controller...
45 Gallon JBJ Build
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Would either of those buckets be safe to use with 74 & 10 TDS? Will buy new filters for the unit. Wow 35 vs 526- my water is dirty.
Trying to figure out the reef keeper controller...
NY_Caveman
likes words, fish and arbitrary statistics
The RO/DI system.
Wow. Quite a beast. Sounds like you need it. Mine is only a four stage, but I have good pressure and the low TDS.
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BirdGuy21
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Still need to learn the ins and outs of it. Today was a crazy day.
So the hiccup we had was not counting on displacement. We swapped the substrate out to the 40lbs of the Fiji Pink- turns out that the old sub must have been more than 40 lb. We were out of water and the tank wasn’t filled past the overflows. Water was getting cold in the buckets so time was of the essence.
So we’re scrambling around trying to make water and heat it up fast, but obviously to no avail. So the temporary fix was to place some of the old dry rock in the tank to make up for the loss of the extra substrate. I know, not the best and I want to get it out ASAP before it turns into an annomnia and nitrate factory. But it did the job for now until I can get the water up and running.
Surpsingly everyone survived the ordeal, at least so far. Thanks goby has re-dug his hole and age a piece of soaked krill this evening.
So as to the water, I have it sitting covered in the bucket with the heater overnight. Hoping it will be okay to use TDS wise to make saltwater tomorrow and add to the tank and rake out the excess dry rock. What is the highest acceptable TDS reading that won’t harm the tank?
So the hiccup we had was not counting on displacement. We swapped the substrate out to the 40lbs of the Fiji Pink- turns out that the old sub must have been more than 40 lb. We were out of water and the tank wasn’t filled past the overflows. Water was getting cold in the buckets so time was of the essence.
So we’re scrambling around trying to make water and heat it up fast, but obviously to no avail. So the temporary fix was to place some of the old dry rock in the tank to make up for the loss of the extra substrate. I know, not the best and I want to get it out ASAP before it turns into an annomnia and nitrate factory. But it did the job for now until I can get the water up and running.
Surpsingly everyone survived the ordeal, at least so far. Thanks goby has re-dug his hole and age a piece of soaked krill this evening.
So as to the water, I have it sitting covered in the bucket with the heater overnight. Hoping it will be okay to use TDS wise to make saltwater tomorrow and add to the tank and rake out the excess dry rock. What is the highest acceptable TDS reading that won’t harm the tank?
NY_Caveman
likes words, fish and arbitrary statistics
There are people who use tap regularly, so in a pinch you do what you must. I usually keep a couple of gallons of distilled water handy too for emergencies. Always happens when you move a tank. You need more water than you expect. Every time.
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BirdGuy21
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I will try and make my first batch of salt today, then!
I know, I should have thought of that. I will definitely be getting some backup distilled water just in case of emergencies.
On the list today is to get that excess rock out of there, learn how to hook up the reef keeper controller, ATO, and protein skimmers.
Muttley000
Valuable Member
I have 450 out of the tap so I feel your pain! Because my tap water is so high I keep a 150 gallon drum for RODI storage so I am always set.
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BirdGuy21
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That’s a good idea. I don’t have the capacity for 150 gallons but I think I could keep at least 15 or so just in case of emergencies.
Is it possible to store premixed saltwater?
Is it possible to store premixed saltwater?
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BirdGuy21
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Okay, so what am I doing wrong with my skimmers? The cups keep filling and they overflow?
Made five gallons of saltwater and added it to the tank- took out some extra rock. Is my tank too full?
Also- goby jumped out sometime today, found him on the floor. Don’t know when he would have done it, had the screen on all day today. Must have jumped through a tiny gap.
Made five gallons of saltwater and added it to the tank- took out some extra rock. Is my tank too full?
Also- goby jumped out sometime today, found him on the floor. Don’t know when he would have done it, had the screen on all day today. Must have jumped through a tiny gap.
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NY_Caveman
likes words, fish and arbitrary statistics
Okay, so what am I doing wrong with my skimmers? The cups keep filling and they overflow?
Made five gallons of saltwater and added it to the tank- took out some extra rock. Is my tank too full?
Also- goby jumped out sometime today, found him on the floor. Don’t know when he would have done it, had the screen on all day today. Must have jumped through a tiny gap.
I am not familiar with this skimmer, but is there an air intake on it? To skim drier you want to have less air intake.
NY_Caveman
likes words, fish and arbitrary statistics
On my skimmer the air intake controls how wet or dry it skims. I like it pretty dry, so I turn it all the way until it is closed then open it up just a little. If I run too wet, my ATO starts running and my salinity drops.
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BirdGuy21
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The red tube does twist but even with it the furthest closed the cup still fills with water within thirty seconds. Hmmm. Could it be the level of water in my tank? How high should the water in the back overflow be? Mine is almost matching the level of water in the main tank.
Muttley000
Valuable Member
I don't know that skimmer either but can you turn the water flow down to it? Sitting in too much water could effect it too, it does seem like the back chamber should be lower than the tank
NY_Caveman
likes words, fish and arbitrary statistics
My overflow chamber is about 2” lower than the display and the return chamber about 1/2” below the overflow. If your back compartments are all the same as your display, you may have overfilled.
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BirdGuy21
Active Member
I’m thinking I can but not sure quite how. I’ll have to mess around with it. I think it’s time for me to find a “How protein skimmers work” article, haha.
Will having them off this long drastically affect the tank?
Hmm. My back compartments are the same level as the display. But when I took some water out the one chamber lowered significantly, but the other side remained level with the tank? Could it be that only running one pump for the output nozzles is affecting it?
Sorry, this is a real dumb question I’m sure hah.
Do you like it? Just had a panic moment wondering if I got the wrench. Thankfully my girlfriend is more observant than I am sometimes and reassured me it’s there, haha.
NY_Caveman
likes words, fish and arbitrary statistics
Running dual returns off of one pump should not be a problem. The overflows should be at the same level however. If they are not I would guess something is restricting the flow on one of them, but I am no expert.
For comparison, I have two different rated pumps for my dual returns (265 GPH and 295 GPH) and have no issues. Both overflows are 2” lower then the display.
When I filled the tank I made sure to fill over the baffles leading to the return chamber (with the pumps running). Then I filled about a half inch more. This is my setup
(recent shot, bubbles are because the skimmer cup was off).
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