Turtle's Fairy Tale

[SashimiTurtle]

Don't know about you, but I get a crazy amount of satisfaction when I can increase my alkalinity dosing.

More alk = more coral = happy Turtle

Moar carl!

 

[NY_Caveman]

Don't know about you, but I get a crazy amount of satisfaction when I can increase my alkalinity dosing.

I am raising mine about every two weeks. It is an awesome feeling. I have my head wrapped around the acceleration rate and I am learning the signs, especially in the coralline, when the change is due. I almost do not have to test, but I do.

 

[SashimiTurtle]

I need a better camera...

Oh, things are continuing to look better. I'm sure it was the water change, but I think the microbacter7 has been helping also. Im looking at getting a few more of Brightwell's products for my "method" of reefing.

And the award for most improved goes to... the SPS, in particular, the elkhorn monti. It's not pale green anymore.

 

[Katrina71]

Gorgeous Robin!

 

[najer]

Very nice, whatever works for you, looks like it is settling well. :)

 

[SashimiTurtle]

Good morning!

 

[SashimiTurtle]

Alk tested at 8.3, just a few minutes after dosing pump went off so likely to be skewed slightly. Seems to be on track tho. I'll test again this evening when I normally test to be sure.

 

[najer]

The more I look at this the more I love the scape, very nice. :)

 

[SashimiTurtle]

Side shots... (my term for it would get filtered out... side profile of a woman's chest)

Branch side, LPS heavy

Shapes side, SPS heavy

 

[SashimiTurtle]

Thanks for the love brother!

 

[Brew12]

Thanks for the love brother!

That's a serious Bro hug!

 

[Matt Carden]

I was trying to set up my tank to be a no water change system. I have also changed my mind on that.
Your tank is looking very good.

 

[SashimiTurtle]

I was trying to set up my tank to be a no water change system. I have also changed my mind on that.
Your tank is looking very good.

I really wanted to do the same.

The problem I have, is I actually live in my house. I have a fireplace to use on those very rare cold nights in SC. I have two dogs who stay inside 90% of the time. We cook. We burn candles, but not right next to the tank. We clean and stir up dust occasionally, but I and the girlfriend know not to use aerosols anywhere near the tank.

There are way too many instances where something could become airborne and settle out in the tank. I can't do an ICP test every week, and they would just tell me I need to do a water change anyway. I've just decided to syphon(back door is close and the porch is 5' off the ground. 20' hose and I can syphon the sump pretty effectively) and vacuum the sump of detritus once a month. There is around 20-25 gallons of water down there or about 25% of my water volume. Maybe more, I'll have to measure sometime... anyway, it gets rid of contamination and excess nutrients and replenishes some of my trace elements. I can manage to make up 30 gallons of water a month and do 30 minutes of maintenance.

 

[Matt Carden]

Myself I can only clean my baffles and return pump area because the rest of my sump is fuge area. I didn't a 99% water change a month ago before adding any coral or fish. I'll probably do 5 gallons every 2 weeks.

 

[Matt Carden]

I have a Ricordia I got Sunday to see if I can keep coral alive. Maybe I'll make it to Reef Dreams.

 

[Brew12]

I really wanted to do the same.

The problem I have, is I actually live in my house. I have a fireplace to use on those very rare cold nights in SC. I have two dogs who stay inside 90% of the time. We cook. We burn candles, but not right next to the tank. We clean and stir up dust occasionally, but I and the girlfriend know not to use aerosols anywhere near the tank.

There are way too many instances where something could become airborne and settle out in the tank. I can't do an ICP test every week, and they would just tell me I need to do a water change anyway. I've just decided to syphon(back door is close and the porch is 5' off the ground. 20' hose and I can syphon the sump pretty effectively) and vacuum the sump of detritus once a month. There is around 20-25 gallons of water down there or about 25% of my water volume. Maybe more, I'll have to measure sometime... anyway, it gets rid of contamination and excess nutrients and replenishes some of my trace elements. I can manage to make up 30 gallons of water a month and do 30 minutes of maintenance.

I don't see water changes as a hardship. Doesn't take that long and has some great benefits imo. I do wish I had a setup like yours where I could drain it out a door or window. I siphon into 5 gallon buckets and refill with 5 gallon buckets. That's the hardest part for me. Doing two 25g water changes a month right now normally.
Oh, and I use this on my sump. Best sump cleaning device ever!
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bucket-Head-5-gal-1-75-Peak-HP-Wet-Dry-Vac-BH0100/202017218

 

[najer]

Side ****! :P

 

[SashimiTurtle]

Side ****! :p

EXACTLY!!!!

 

[SashimiTurtle]

I don't see water changes as a hardship. Doesn't take that long and has some great benefits imo. I do wish I had a setup like yours where I could drain it out a door or window. I siphon into 5 gallon buckets and refill with 5 gallon buckets. That's the hardest part for me. Doing two 25g water changes a month right now normally.
Oh, and I use this on my sump. Best sump cleaning device ever!
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bucket-Head-5-gal-1-75-Peak-HP-Wet-Dry-Vac-BH0100/202017218

I need to get a bucket head.

I didn't plan it that way, but being in close proximity to the back door makes for a really easy siphon. With a long enough hose, I can even pull it out of the water and move it to another section before all the water drains out of the hose and it'll pick up siphon again and keep going. No sucking dirty salt water... ;Vomit lol

 

[SashimiTurtle]

I have a Ricordia I got Sunday to see if I can keep coral alive. Maybe I'll make it to Reef Dreams.

You should come. Last year was a ton of fun! It's going to be even bigger this year.