IM 100 EXT, the one and only

[MakingMistakes]

I’ll probably post this in a main thread but struggling with PH and not sure why, temporarily using Kalkwasser via ATO. I would assume with the lack of coral at the moment I would have a high PH but it struggles to be above 8.0.

Checked CO2 level in the house and it’s not high. Have not done a water change yet, as I’m not really setup for it. Putting in the mixing station when I come back from vacation next week.

I know ways to fix it but I’m just struggling with the why of it.

 

[X-37B]

I’ll probably post this in a main thread but struggling with PH and not sure why, temporarily using Kalkwasser via ATO. I would assume with the lack of coral at the moment I would have a high PH but it struggles to be above 8.0.

Checked CO2 level in the house and it’s not high. Have not done a water change yet, as I’m not really setup for it. Putting in the mixing station when I come back from vacation next week.

I know ways to fix it but I’m just struggling with the why of it.

I run kalk only in my 112. System is 3 months. I started at 0.5mlm and now at 1mlm to hold alk at 8 currently. Running a Kamoer.
A slow drip 24/7 works well for holding ph at 7.9-8 nightime and 8.2-8.3 daytime.
I do the same on my 170 to keep ph the same. It helps offset the carx low ph.
When you need more just turn up the Kamoer.
When the system gets to 4mlm of kalk I will start A4R. I run 4mlm in the 170 and just turn up the carx when needed. 4mlm is almost 6 liters daily.
System has 35lbs live rock and around 28 frags no fish.

 

[MakingMistakes]

Would probably update.

Lots of things in progress.

Building the mixing station up. Many parts to this, added lifts to the garage to take up what I’m removing from the room. Building much better storage shelves to use the room better and adding better lighting. When done it will house the ATO, Kalkwasser, Fresh, and water change saltwater. Will also have quarantine and hospital tanks that I need before corals go in.

Been busy so things are slow going.

Percula picassos are in. Yellow tang goes in today.

 

[MakingMistakes]

Update:
The saltwater mixing station is up and running and I’m now doing automatic 3 gallon daily water changes, in an attempt to make up for not doing one the first two months. I’ll get some pictures tonight.

Also have a new ATO bin with a lid that I’m using for Kalkwasser. Once that runs out I’ll calculate my evaporation and start dosing Kalkwasser separate from my ATO before I kill my Tunze.

Ph has been better since learning that you can’t leave Kalwasser open to air. Hovering in the 8.1-8.3 range, spiked the other day to 8.5 so I added a line in the Apex to stop the ATO with pH above 8.3.

Added some AI blades to get some better coverage under the aquascape. Also added a Kessil tuna sun for the refugium.

Added some Zoas from Tidal, one had an Aiptasia so I pulled it and tossed it in the bin. Others are doing well. Also added a long tentacle anemone and bubble tip, in an attempt to lure my clowns into them. One of them likes the long tentacle so I’m happy.

Current fish, 3 chromis , 2 percula clowns, 1 yellow tang, one orange spotted goby. Had a clown jump out before I could get a lid on it. She was so dang gorgeous too, dang shame and my fault.

Ton of inverts.

Issues:
Fighting bottomed out nutrients. Increasing feeding and have more diverse frozen foods coming. I designed the setup to be overbuilt so I could feed a lot, and it’s tough dumping in food that isn’t even going to be eaten.

Got some diatoms I think, they aren’t too successful so I’m letting it go for now.

To do
1. switch my ATO to fresh water and start dosing Kalk.
2. consider installing an automatic feeder
3. Install lids so I don’t lose another fish.
4. Do a manual water change and get the detritus out of the sump.
5. Sit back and let the tank age.

 

[JumboShrimp]

#5 is more important than people think. Less fun-- but so necessary. Great job so far with everything.

 

[Randomstylez]

Do you happen to know the dimensions of the sump area inside the stand without the door latch ? The black area of this picture

 

[X-37B]

Do you happen to know the dimensions of the sump area inside the stand without the door latch ? The black area of this picture

Its the width of the stand minus 3". Slightly under 1.5" per side.

 

[Randomstylez]

From IM website:
APS Stand:

• Stand DIMS: Length 47.50” Width: 23.50” Height: 35.81”

If the stand is 47.5" then the inside is 44.5 ish

Its the width of the stand minus 3". Slightly under 1.5" per side.

 

[MakingMistakes]

Ok, haven’t updated in a while and the last month or so has been a whirlwind of fun.

I went on vacation which should have been simple enough, I notice day one the pH starts climbing. That’s ok my Kalkwasser is finally working. Then it keeps on climbing, hitting above 9, I have no one to see what’s happening. I program the ATO to only run when the pH is below 8.3 and shut off the refugium light, skimmer and blades. It slows it some but it stays high.

I get home and the tank is coated with brown slime. The algae bloom ate up all the CO2. Lost my goby and pistol, my sps test corals and my bubble tip.

First diagnosed as cyano under my microscope but under better sampling it was Dino’s. Of course because I misdiagnosed I did all the wrong things at first. With the correct diagnosis I started adding a lot of phyto and finally got around to putting on my UV. It took about a month and it’s now under control.

It was definitely rough. Softies are now recovering and things are looking healthy again.