GoVols: Red Sea S-400

[SPR1968]

Thanks, Shaun

The first blue throat I had before bringing in the regal angel could care less about the cleanup crew as well. Got two rocks to glue (bolt) down in case the guy tries to rearrange down the road.

Do yours still try to spawn?

Yes every 3-4 months or so. They start trying to build a nest in the sand and doing their ‘mating dances’! lol

They have been doing it over the past few weeks

 

[Fudsey]

So Freddie, after about a month on AF Essentials + my Alk has dropped to 7.6 from 8.9 but my Ca and Mg have risen 30 points each to just outside the normal range. This is with a 30ml daily dose of each component.

Should I raise component 1 to increase Alk or raise them all? They have all been dosed at the same so far and figured I'd ask you.

I should add that the 8.9 Alk reading might be off as it was an old but not expired reagent.

 

[GoVols]

So Freddie, after about a month on AF Essentials + my Alk has dropped to 7.6 from 8.9 but my Ca and Mg have risen 30 points each to just outside the normal range. This is with a 30ml daily dose of each component.

Should I raise component 1 to increase Alk or raise them all? They have all been dosed at the same so far and figured I'd ask you.

I should add that the 8.9 Alk reading might be off as it was an old but not expired reagent.

Hello, Keith
See where you're coming from they used to be equal doses, started the below link in 2017.

How to Balance out Comp 1+ 2+ 3+ to Three Even Doses

Comp 3+ It is a common misconception among reefers that administering NaCl free salt is primarily supposed to replenish trace elements. The main task of Sodium Chloride free salt is to maintain ionic balance of aquarium water...

www.reef2reef.com

If the above link did not pan out:

I guess you'll need to bump up your alk dose and lower your cal and mag doses.

The below calculator may be useful to bring up your alk.

Product calculate - Aquaforest

aquaforest.eu

Hope you are able to get all three balanced out to three even doses, Keith

----------------------------------------------------------------------

On my end, things are going smoothly.

95-99% of the diatoms have burnt off their fuel since we removed Siporax. Looking good over here.

Freddie

 

[GoVols]

Update: 2/14/21:

Happy Valentines Day, it's also our 35th wedding anniversary...

Well,
It's been a while so let's get caught up.

After removing the Siporax, diatoms are gone, just back to cleaning glass about once a week. Rowaphos is for sure lasting longer as well.

Needed a new "The Flipper" and bought the original Flipper MAX. Looked at the new floating ones but Flipper needs to go back to the drawing board. This thing is great and would recommend buying the original MAX.

The below video speaks for its self/bout 4:45 in and on



The Tunze cal reactor media had pretty much melted away, so bought the new Coarse Reborn. It is a lot smaller than the original, but it still has that high ph melting point. Reborn does contain strontium, so we've been dosing 2mls each of Red Sea's Color Program on Mondays and Thursday, 18% water change is still on Fridays. Tried a bunch of options, but just keep landing back with Red Sea's trace elements.

The Blue Throat trigger has done great along with the Green Slimer.
Coralline growth has kicked back in too.

Pretty much happy with things at this point.

Gonna take time for the upper deck, but the (sps) will grow back out.

So uploading today's progression shots:

Some FTS

Feeling good and hope things stay smoothed out.

 

[Raege]

Looking good! look forward to seeing those sticks grow for ya

 

[GoVols]

Looking good! look forward to seeing those sticks grow for ya

Thanks, Ray

Used this to bond the "tunnel rock" / with the green slimer / to both sides of the scape.

CA Super Glue 16 oz by Glue Masters Cyanoacrylate Premium Thick - Bottle with Protective Cap

FREE Shipping on Orders Over $110! Product Description ★ SIMPLY THE BEST SUPER GLUE: You Will Instantly See the Difference Between Our Super Glue and Other Brands - Industrial strength, Extended Shell Life, Fast Cure, Strongest Bond on The Market. Made in USA. ★ 4.9 OUT OF 5 STAR RATING ON...

gluemasters.com

It did great!!

I'd still recommend using SeaChem's Reef Glue for mounting frags.

Have you guys been in touch with Rich?

 

[drawman]

Freddie the tank looks great!!

 

[GoVols]

Freddie the tank looks great!!

Tim,
Thanks for your support, it sure has been a long haul adventure to get this reef stabled back out.

Couple more that were taken today

Is your residency going well?

 

[ZX6Reef]

Update: 2/14/21:

Happy Valentines Day, it's also our 35th wedding anniversary...

Well,
It's been a while so let's get caught up.

After removing the Siporax, diatoms are gone, just back to cleaning glass about once a week. Rowaphos is for sure lasting longer as well.

Needed a new "The Flipper" and bought the original Flipper MAX. Looked at the new floating ones but Flipper needs to go back to the drawing board. This thing is great and would recommend buying the original MAX.

The below video speaks for its self/bout 4:45 in and on



The Tunze cal reactor media had pretty much melted away, so bought the new Coarse Reborn. It is a lot smaller than the original, but it still has that high ph melting point. Reborn does contain strontium, so we've been dosing 2mls each of Red Sea's Color Program on Mondays and Thursday, 18% water change is still on Fridays. Tried a bunch of options, but just keep landing back with Red Sea's trace elements.

The Blue Throat trigger has done great along with the Green Slimer.
Coralline growth has kicked back in too.

Pretty much happy with things at this point.

Gonna take time for the upper deck, but the (sps) will grow back out.

So uploading today's progression shots:

Some FTS

Feeling good and hope things stay smoothed out.

Amazing contrast and structure. Good work!

 

[drawman]

Tim,
Thanks for your support, it sure has been a long haul adventure to get this reef stabled back out.

Couple more that were taken today

Is your residency going well?

It's going great. Finally have a fish in the tank just need some coral now!

 

[Anirban]

Update: 2/14/21:

Happy Valentines Day, it's also our 35th wedding anniversary...

Well,
It's been a while so let's get caught up.

After removing the Siporax, diatoms are gone, just back to cleaning glass about once a week. Rowaphos is for sure lasting longer as well.

Needed a new "The Flipper" and bought the original Flipper MAX. Looked at the new floating ones but Flipper needs to go back to the drawing board. This thing is great and would recommend buying the original MAX.

The below video speaks for its self/bout 4:45 in and on



The Tunze cal reactor media had pretty much melted away, so bought the new Coarse Reborn. It is a lot smaller than the original, but it still has that high ph melting point. Reborn does contain strontium, so we've been dosing 2mls each of Red Sea's Color Program on Mondays and Thursday, 18% water change is still on Fridays. Tried a bunch of options, but just keep landing back with Red Sea's trace elements.

The Blue Throat trigger has done great along with the Green Slimer.
Coralline growth has kicked back in too.

Pretty much happy with things at this point.

Gonna take time for the upper deck, but the (sps) will grow back out.

So uploading today's progression shots:

Some FTS

Feeling good and hope things stay smoothed out.

Looking good Freddie.

 

[PanchoG]

Update: 2/14/21:

Happy Valentines Day, it's also our 35th wedding anniversary...

Well,
It's been a while so let's get caught up.

After removing the Siporax, diatoms are gone, just back to cleaning glass about once a week. Rowaphos is for sure lasting longer as well.

Needed a new "The Flipper" and bought the original Flipper MAX. Looked at the new floating ones but Flipper needs to go back to the drawing board. This thing is great and would recommend buying the original MAX.

The below video speaks for its self/bout 4:45 in and on



The Tunze cal reactor media had pretty much melted away, so bought the new Coarse Reborn. It is a lot smaller than the original, but it still has that high ph melting point. Reborn does contain strontium, so we've been dosing 2mls each of Red Sea's Color Program on Mondays and Thursday, 18% water change is still on Fridays. Tried a bunch of options, but just keep landing back with Red Sea's trace elements.

The Blue Throat trigger has done great along with the Green Slimer.
Coralline growth has kicked back in too.

Pretty much happy with things at this point.

Gonna take time for the upper deck, but the (sps) will grow back out.

So uploading today's progression shots:

Some FTS

Feeling good and hope things stay smoothed out.

Great colors Freddie!
Love the gold hammer and the ricordea.

 

[GoVols]

Guys,
Thanks for all your support.

My new double junction ph probe for the cal reactor went wacko, two days ago.

Meanwhile, the Alkatronic is keeping the cal reactor inline until a new ph probe comes in. Running a tad low ph inside the reactor, but the Alka-T is holding the display's Alk at 8.9 to 9 dKH.

Bout time to mix a new 2-gallon batch of reagent for the Alka-T. Even though it tests right, going to replace its filter, Inner tubings, re-calibrate the pumps, and its ph probe.

Nothing is bulletproof, but the Alkatronic is about as good as it gets for monitoring and controlling a good cal reactor setup.

Still blind dosing Seachem's strontium in conjunction with the Red Sea colors program, coralline is still coming in fast.

Blue Throat triggerfish has really built up his confidence...

 

[Anirban]

Siporax when seeded well and mature enough can eat through nutrients super fast. I figured that out hard way in my last 2 tanks. Your tank is glowing Freddie..

 

[GoVols]

Siporax when seeded well and mature enough can eat through nutrients super fast. I figured that out hard way in my last 2 tanks. Your tank is glowing Freddie..

Well,
I got ahold of the pond-sized Siporax last year.

It did kick in and is the best media for gassing off and lowering nitrates
that I've ever used.

Unfortunately, Anirban
When it started to denitrify, It kept releasing silicates.
Non-stop diatoms... ...was burning through Rowaphos like a monkey on crack... ;Wacky

So, When we pulled out the 10 liters of Siporax the diatoms faded off, and Rowa went back to its normal exhausting rate.

Pretty much a bummer, but still recommend it in forums.

Besides a "tad" amount of cyano, happy with the reef.
The Green Slimer has really grown, it's showing signs of branching off.

lol,
Heading to your build.

 

[Anirban]

Well,
I got ahold of the pond-sized Siporax last year.

It did kick in and is the best media for gassing off and lowering nitrates
that I've ever used.

Unfortunately, Anirban
When it started to denitrify, It kept releasing silicates.
Non-stop diatoms... ...was burning through Rowaphos like a monkey on crack... ;Wacky

So, When we pulled out the 10 liters of Siporax the diatoms faded off, and Rowa went back to its normal exhausting rate.

Pretty much a bummer, but still recommend it in forums.

Besides a "tad" amount of cyano, happy with the reef.
The Green Slimer has really grown, it's showing signs of branching off.

lol,
Heading to your build.

Yeah, that's another issue with all these media. I think running a refugium is the only possible way without any side effects.

Nothing to see in my thread. Its going through its final phase of cycling. But tuesday I am going to receive the TSM aquatics shipment as Matt told me. So then it will be a delight.

 

[GoVols]

Guys, it's been a while so let's do a quick update:

From looking at the above shots, acros have really grown. Hope to post some new shots soon.
Dealing with a tad amount of cyano, but really not at the concern level.

Really feel bad for Brew12 (Steven), the same thing could have happened to this reef.

The main heater went down on May the 16th inside the S-Series overflow box, but the backup heater inside the Tecco Chiller kicked in.

Angelia got on my case to replace the main heater asap.

So replaced the main heater inside the overflow with these two items:

HC-810M Digital Heater Controller

The HC-810M Finnex controller offers a precision digital control with a digital display for simple and reliable water temperature control*. Water temperature is one of the most critical and yet easily overlooked parameters in your reef tank, so it’s worth investing in a controller that provides...

www.marinedepot.com

Finnex TH Deluxe Titanium Heating Element with Plastic Guard

Titanium heating tubes are virtually unbreakable, and corrosion resistant allowing the use in salt or freshwater aquariums. The titanium housing will resist damage a traditional heater would normally encounter while also providing another level of protection with the use of a plastic guard which...

www.marinedepot.com

Run the main heater inside the S-Series overflow box, so if the return pump goes down in the sump the reef's temp will stay stable because it has two built-in 500 gph recirc. pumps cycling flow (water) all the time.

The controller's readout comes within .5 to the chiller's readout and Apex's temp probe, all three are in different spots in the reef's system.

They have done a great job and the 800 watt keeps the temp super stable.

Since we've been dosing Seachem's strontium with the Red Sea colors, coralline has pretty much covered the back wall and bb floor.

Put back in some Siporax media about six weeks ago, have not seen diatoms at this time. Need to test nitrates to get a feel to where those are.

Stopped tumbling GFO, been using Purit in a big 150-micron bag inside the reactor. Holding it down inside the reactor with a large yellow zip tie from an old bucket of salt mix. Seems to last a long time between recharging. Been slowly risning in the sink, then getting out the last fines inside the reactor as we do with GFO.

Today, the Abyzz A100's driver box went down, submitted a ticket to CoralVue. We'll see how long it takes them to get the driver repaired. Still got 8 years left of the 10-year warranty.

Got out the old... ;Oldman main return, which's still pre-plumbed, worked like a charm with the switch out. Just screwed it into the manifold's main bulk head and plugged it in.

Work has really been busy, but at the same time, it's nice to be able to spend time with our entire family again since covid hit.

Guess this post is about having (investing in) backups in place, to be able to avoid a really bad situation.

Bout it over here...

Hope all of you are doing well!!

 

[Fudsey]

I run the same 2 Finnex units as you just got. Have been running without issue for 2 years now

 

[GoVols]

I run the same 2 Finnex units as you just got. Have been running without issue for 2 years now

Thanks for the feedback. So far they have worked flawlessly over here as well.

That high-pitched alarm comes on for a min. during a water change as well...

 

[Raege]

one of best reefing lessons redundancy. Glad it all worked out for you.
and the pictures are where ;Snaphappy