Randy's Tank and Learn Thread

[IceNein]

Thanks. Definitely low then. Still not sure I understand the device. I’m going to stop trying to get the 7 min timer to show up and just time 7 minutes. It kept turning off or resetting the procedure. lol

A long press when it is asking for you to insert C2 (the sample with the reagent mixed in) will initiate the 7 minute timer. A long press at any other time will turn the unit off.

 

[Pistondog]

Thanks. Definitely low then. Still not sure I understand the device. I’m going to stop trying to get the 7 min timer to show up and just time 7 minutes. It kept turning off or resetting the procedure. lol

Just hold the hanna button at the c2 prompt. The 7 minute timer will auto start.

 

[twentyleagues]

Thanks. Definitely low then. Still not sure I understand the device. I’m going to stop trying to get the 7 min timer to show up and just time 7 minutes. It kept turning off or resetting the procedure. lol

As other have said a long 4 sec hold on the button starts the timer after c2 is inserted. I dont know how you would get it to read without the 7min time as it happens at the end. But if the liquid is still clear than no nitrate is present or so low it would not read.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

As other have said a long 4 sec hold on the button starts the timer after c2 is inserted. I dont know how you would get it to read without the 7min time as it happens at the end. But if the liquid is still clear than no nitrate is present or so low it would not read.

The instructions seem to say you can just wait the 7 min and read the value. It read 0.0. I tried several times to follow the timer instructions exactly as written and kept failing. Lol

I’ll try again with your folks suggestions.

 

[twentyleagues]

The instructions seem to say you can just wait the 7 min and read the value. It read 0.0. I tried several times to follow the timer instructions exactly as written and kept failing. Lol

I’ll try again with your folks suggestions.

Its a learning curve. The first time I tested with it I messed it up too. Every once in a while, I still do. My biggest issue is remembering to check it before it times out. Lots of wasted reagent. lol gotta set a timer for the timer.

 

[IceNein]

Its a learning curve. The first time I tested with it I messed it up too. Every once in a while, I still do. My biggest issue is remembering to check it before it times out. Lots of wasted reagent. lol gotta set a timer for the timer.

I have wondered about this. Is 7 minutes the minimum time for the color to develop correctly? How much further beyond the 7 minutes does the accuracy of the test degrade if it does?

Also I have a little bit of paranoia about not getting all of the reagent out of the pouches, so I wonder what amount of change occurs if you use 90% of the reagent vs. 100%.

To test the time, it should be pretty easy to run the test after say 20 minutes using a new vial for the C1, and just reusing the same vial for C2, the percentage of reagent test would be harder, I imagine. I guess if you had a sensitive enough lab scale you could do it.

 

[BeanAnimal]

The instructions seem to say you can just wait the 7 min and read the value. It read 0.0. I tried several times to follow the timer instructions exactly as written and kept failing. Lol

I’ll try again with your folks suggestions.

Short press of C2 reads instantly. For checkers with a timer, long press starts the timer and when it elapses, the reading is shown.

So you can do it either way, time it yourself and tap C2 or press C2 for a long hold and let it do the timing,

 

[Pistondog]

I did find with the hanna nitrate checker that after shaking for 2 minutes, it helps to slowly invert the vial a few times, twisting to minimize air on the glass.

 

[bradreef]

I did find with the hanna nitrate checker that after shaking for 2 minutes, it helps to slowly invert the vial a few times, twisting to minimize air on the glass.

Yep. If you shake you then need to tumble to remove the interior bubbles.

 

[lubeck]

The key is cleaning well after use and ensuring the outside is clear imo. But press once for 1. Insert water only vile. Press once to the 2. Then pull out and add the mix, tumble it for 20-40 seconds to mix. Dry the outside really well. Insert vile back in and hold the button for 4 seconds until the 7 min clock starts.

I thought you need to tumble for 2 minutes, no?

 

[bradreef]

I thought you need to tumble for 2 minutes, no?

It mixes pretty well quicker than that. At 30 seconds and 7 min wait, I get no residue in the bottom. The 2 min seems conservative.

 

[lubeck]

It mixes pretty well quicker than that. At 30 seconds and 7 min wait, I get no residue in the bottom. The 2 min seems conservative.

I agree that it dissolves rather quickly but I think it’s all about the total timing before it’s measured no?

I might run a test and see if I get different results

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Dosing Pumps

I’ve ordered a couple of BRS 50 mL per min doses since they are on sale. I plan to use two on a single timer for my AWC. I’ll detail that more when they come in.

I have a few old BRS 1.1 mL per min pumps that I’ll use for various things, such as AFR dosing, phyto dosing, and liquid food dosing. But I think I’d like to get new tubing for the inside of some of these pumps, and BRS is out of stock of these.

Anyone ever buy their own Santoprene tubing (or other material) to make diy replacements? If so, was it hard to attach the end connections?

 

[Pistondog]

Dosing Pumps

I’ve ordered a couple of BRS 50 mL per min doses since they are on sale. I plan to use two on a single timer for my AWC. I’ll detail that more when they come in.

I have a few old BRS 1.1 mL per min pumps that I’ll use for various things, such as AFR dosing, phyto dosing, and liquid food dosing. But I think I’d like to get new tubing for the inside of some of these pumps, and BRS is out of stock of these.

Anyone ever buy their own Santoprene tubing (or other material) to make diy replacements? If so, was it hard to attach the end connections?

Diy'd the tubing for versa pumps, but not for brs. Used zip ties rather than clamps on connections. Use a tightening tool vs hand for best results
I did not use the brs pumps for awcs because they are not precise, especially off the same timer. 50 ml will be +/- x%. Pretty large for my 1.1 ml brs pumps. They calibrated at 1.8 to 1.9 ml, but are repeatable.
Of course your calibration will vary, based on suction presssure, head etc.
Ended up using versa pumps as they are easier to calibrate. One pumps fresh saltwater up from the basement, the other removes tank water.

 

[rishma]

I also would not use those BRS pumps for AWC. I had a very bad outcome when one of my AWC pumps went out of calibration. The two pumps are unlikely have equivalent rates, the error will accumulate over time.

I suggest you have multiple safeguards to sustainably ensure salinity stays where you want it.

 

[Freenow54]

Backup Power

My backup battery arrived today. For now I have just one. Might add a second in the future, but this one will run my Tunze powerheads for several days (2-5 days, depending on settings).

This is the battery from Amazon. It is a Renology 100 AH AGM sealed lead acid battery.

https://a.co/d/4Bo40s8

They hook to the Tunze powerheads using these Tunze safety connectors. They take power from the 110 v plug (which is a dc converter) and also from the battery directly (no Inverter). When the power cuts off, these connectors switch to the battery automatically. I unplugged the powerheads from the wall and it worked.

This is the battery in the basement. I bought some wire from Amazon and you can see it coming down from above, through the same floor hole as the silicone tubing water return. Each powerhead has its own safety connector, and both are fed by the one wire.

I have it being constantly charged by a regular car trickle charger that I had around. The battery charged a maybe a half hour, then the charger lit that it was charged.

The battery was packed like I’ve never seen before. Foam inside a box inside foam inside another box. It’s heavy (67 pounds).

Wondering if you would post all of the equipment you use would like to keep track of cost. For example the powerheads are $ 250 each for me

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I also would not use those BRS pumps for AWC. I had a very bad outcome when one of my AWC pumps went out of calibration. The two pumps are unlikely have equivalent rates, the error will accumulate over time.

I suggest you have multiple safeguards to sustainably ensure salinity stays where you want it.

Thanks. :)

At 1% daily change, any salinity deviation is slow from a mismatch. I do expect to check salinity often, which is quick and easy. If they are way off, I might put them on different timers, but that has its own risks. Making the new water more or less saline is an easy adjustment for small deviations. That’s how I managed differences in my dual head diaphragm pump I previously used.

If it becomes too hard to balance then I’ll look to other options.

 

[rishma]

Thanks. :)

At 1% daily change, any salinity deviation is slow from a mismatch. I do expect to check salinity often, which is quick and easy. If they are way off, I might put them on different timers, but that has its own risks. Making the new water more or less saline is an easy adjustment for small deviations. That’s how I managed differences in my dual head diaphragm pump I previously used.

If it becomes too hard to balance then I’ll look to other options.

Yeah, the whole checking salinity thing was something I neglected…

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Wondering if you would post all of the equipment you use would like to keep track of cost. For example the powerheads are $ 250 each for me

In total equipment, or the equipment related to powerheads and battery backup?

 

[Freenow54]

In total equipment, or the equipment related to powerheads and battery backup?

From beginning to end. It would really help me as I am starting , or want to my third. However my end goal is minimalist . Low flow small schooling fish which seem hard to find, and flowing soft Coral hence my post about the power heads. I guess I have to be blunt. I cannot afford an electrical shock because I had a Pace maker put in. I was even warned about power tools.