New to Triton core 7 within a Red sea reefer 250

[blanc88]

Hi All,

I've just got back from my lfs with the Triton ICP test kit. I've also managed to buy the Core 7 set aswell.

My tank is a red sea reefer medium stocked with the standard sump. I've got a bio pellet reactor running and also an algae bed.

Now I know I shouldn't be using the reactor so I do wish to phase it out. Saying that; 've heard people that had success running both Triton method and bio pellets. - your opinions are greatly appreciated

A few questions if anybody can help me.

1# I'm slightly curious; sending a sample of my water chemistry 'today' ...what use would their guidance do two weeks later down the line ?

2# can I continue to use my bio pellet reactor without going down the 'other method' route?

3# Should I wait until I get my results back before dosing ? Or should I start on the minimum guideline?

4# am I forgetting anything obvious ?!

 

[Jason mack]

Hi , to answer your first question .. nothing good happens fast in a reef tank .. the results you get back in two weeks will allow you too see what's in your water or not .. different salts have different trace elements ( proportions) so might not always replenish what your corals are using . The advice you get with your results will help you fine tune your water so that it's as near too natural sea water as possible , ( far more accurate than our hobby grade tests ..
question 2 ... I can't answer for you
Question 3 I would just start dosing the triton and start at their min recommended dose .. and like they say adjust dosing till you get a stable 8 dkh .. send the test of now and wait for the results ..
By the way your tank looks amazing !!!

 

[blanc88]

Good advice. Thanks alot Jason. I will send the Water off tomorrow ! I really want to know other people's advice on the reactor situation is...

 

[tsav87]

I started using the core 7 a few weeks ago. Haven't sent off a test yet. I guess I wanted to get a good round of dosing in before testing.

 

[blanc88]

Ahh ok did you use the triton method or "other method" also, what measurement did you start with ?

 

[Jason mack]

I'm using other methods .. I have no refugium.. started dosing 2ml for every 100 liters ..

 

[Broadfield]

I apologize for the spam, but I'm trying to get the word out to all fellow Red Sea Reefer owners. I'm planning a meet-up at MACNA for Reefer owners. So if you are attending MACNA, please click on the following link and make a post. Please spread the word to any other Red Sea Reefer owners you may know.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/red-sea-reefer-owner-meet-up-macna-2017.321395/#post-3978855

Thanks,

Toby Broadfield

 

[blanc88]

Quick update...
5 days into dosing...
All parameters are Ok apart from a drop in PH which has dropped from 8.2 to 8.0

I known this is a very low change but is it normal for the PH to fluctuate or in my case;drop

 

[Jason mack]

Ph will tend too drop a little at night when lights are off .. are you testing at the same time every time ?

 

[blanc88]

Yes. I did. To prevent swings from giving misleading readings

 

[tsav87]

PH swings 3/10 of a point daily in most cases. Excess CO2 in your house will contribute to lowering the PH. Try opening a window to see if it helps raise the PH. Another option would be to add a CO2 scrubber to your skimmer.

PH will rise as a byproduct of photosynthesis. So running a reverse light schedule on your refugium may help to keep the ph swing smaller or no swing at all.

 

[tsav87]

But one point that is made by the big names of the hobby is to not chase ph.

Bulk reef supply has a great video related to PH on their YouTube channel.

 

[blanc88]

Great advice thank you. Just slightly nervous with the Triton product!

 

[blanc88]

**UPDATE**

Due to circumstances I've missed 3 days during the critical daily testing. Upon coming home today I've noticed corals looking very unhappy. Immediately checking the alkalinity, I've noticed it just from the original and stable 7.6 to 9.6!

I find this to be a large jump for such a short period which I believe is evident with the look of the corals.

Any immediate advise would be greatly appreciated

 

[blanc88]

*Just jumped up

 

[tsav87]

Nothing good ever happens fast in reef keeping.

I would stop dosing until it comes back down.

 

[blanc88]

Sorry about all of the typos, wet hands on the screen doesn't help at all !

 

[blanc88]

I've dropped the dosing down from 4ml to 1 ml. Would you agree ?

 

[tsav87]

I've dropped the dosing down from 4ml to 1 ml. Would you agree ?

Wouldn't dose at all until it gets back in line.

 

[blanc88]

Ok. I will switch it off completely. Thank you. I was under the impression a total stop would create a greater swing.