Offical Eco-Bak Thread

schooleyosis · Nov 26, 2012

Ok, I'll look into those.

Now, as far as modifying the reactor to fit the avast nozzle, what did you use to glue the nozzle to tube?

Dowtish · Nov 27, 2012

Just regular pvc glue

Typed from my phone, because I have nothing better to do.

schooleyosis · Nov 27, 2012

Thanks again Chris. I soaked the pump and the reactor last night for several hours in vinegar and water. Then rinsed both off afterwards and will be dried out to install tonight. Also got 125mL of Ecobak soaking in RO/DI water so that will be ready tonight as well.

The goal at lunch is to go get the 1/2" tubing and ball valve and after work go grab the P03 Hanna from Jay to see where my levels are at. I plan on running 500mL total even though with my total volume 750mL is recommended. So I plan on adding it 1/4 at a time. 125 now, maybe another 125 in a month??? Not really sure but that is my plan until I am instructed otherwise.

I've decided to see how the tumble rate is without the Avast nozzle mod even though I ordered one. I just can't cut a new piece of equipment and modify it without trying it first... lol

schooleyosis · Nov 28, 2012

What kind of levels are "ideal" for Nitrate and Phosphate while running EcoBAK? I tested them and my crappy API kit shows my best guess of 5ppm of Nitrate and the Hanna Checker shows 0.03 for Phosphate. Suggestions? Comments?

Dowtish · Nov 28, 2012

schooleyosis said:
What kind of levels are "ideal" for Nitrate and Phosphate while running EcoBAK? I tested them and my crappy API kit shows my best guess of 5ppm of Nitrate and the Hanna Checker shows 0.03 for Phosphate. Suggestions? Comments?

Ryan, you have pretty much perfect parameters. Once you get a decent test kit for nitrates, you can see what it says, but when they are really low, it's hard to really read no matter what test kit it is. When I test with the salifert, i'm looking for a very slight pink color, but it usually doesnt change at all. so we call that "undetectable" or zero.

Your phos being at 0.03 is perfect if you ask me. It is necessary to have minimal or trace amounts of phosphate for the health of your corals. You really dont want 0.00 readings.

So as you continue to stock your tank with corals and fish, and the feedings become more heavy, the ecobak will keep your parameters right where they are now.

schooleyosis · Nov 29, 2012

Thanks Chris. The API test kit normally shows a yellow color which is very close to 0 but when I tested the other day it was a copper'ish color which shows signs of nitrate in the water. I'll still look into other test kits but it seems as if there are no really good nitrate test kits to give a good, precise number without spending a ton of money on a lab grade one.

So if my params are in the ideal range, should I just run the 125mL of EcoBAK without adding more in a month?

Dowtish · Nov 29, 2012

schooleyosis said:
Thanks Chris. The API test kit normally shows a yellow color which is very close to 0 but when I tested the other day it was a copper'ish color which shows signs of nitrate in the water. I'll still look into other test kits but it seems as if there are no really good nitrate test kits to give a good, precise number without spending a ton of money on a lab grade one.

So if my params are in the ideal range, should I just run the 125mL of EcoBAK without adding more in a month?

I would start with 1/4 amount and work your way to at least half of the recommended ml's. Then depending on how fast you stock your tank will depend on if you need more pellets.

schooleyosis · Nov 29, 2012

Gotchya, thanks. 125mL is a 1/4 of what I need to run. Will retest params in a month and see where I'm at.

MattL22 · Dec 6, 2012

Hi guys what do u guys keep ur alk at?
I'm keeping mine 8.9 or so but I'm getting slight recession on 2 sps and wondering if its an alk issue? I've heard that u should keep alk at 8 or below while running bio pellets ?

Dowtish · Dec 7, 2012

It is highly suggested to keep your Alk at 7-8dkh while running EcoBak. Jon Warner runs his own tank at 8dkh, and that is where I run mine.

schooleyosis · Dec 7, 2012

Wonder if that is why my Duncan is not so happy... EcoBAK and an ALK level at 10.... It's only been running for 10 days though. Would I see results of EcoBAK that soon?

Dowtish · Dec 7, 2012

No you wouldnt. And mostly any problems related to having high alk and running pellets is problems with SPS. But since you are running the pellets now, i would start letting your alk drop slowly.

Typed from my phone, because I have nothing better to do.

schooleyosis · Dec 7, 2012

Ok, thanks. Been dialing my doser back every week so that it doses 10mL less per day. So far I'm dosing 20mL less per day since I started running EcoBAK. My plan after the first of the year is to start doing water changes every other week rather than every week which will help with the ALK as well. The IO I am using mixes at 10DkH... Really don't want to have to switch salts as I have roughly 300 gallons of salt mix in the closet!