Jump to content

My Slice of Nature (Part 3)


SubzeroLT

Recommended Posts

  • SRC Supporter

20 hours to brew this.

E61409A0-4617-4F91-B872-FFE7BA4B94B5.jpg

it keeps the water very clean. The only slight downside is the need to drain it daily. Setting up a separate drain bucket this week.

 

 

 

 

 

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/mysliceofnature/

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • SRC Supporter
32 minutes ago, reefbuilder said:

Wow sure looks like coffee. Skimmer is really doing a good job. But this amount in less than a day? Your tank dun look that overloaded so how come this much? Is it normal?

No idea if this is normal.

During this time, there was some feeding (mysis/pellets/reef roids) & some dosing of amino acids/bacteria. 

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/mysliceofnature/

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • SRC Supporter
On 11/27/2016 at 11:57 PM, he said:

Wow solid skimate.. did you notice any change in your nitrate level after the switch of the skimmer ?

Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app
 

I've not measured nitrates after switching off the skimmer, but I did measure ORP. This is 1 data point which needs to be repeated to be conclusive :

ORP1.jpg

Preliminary data shows

- ORP decreases after feed or after skimmer is off

- Bacteria was dosed just after feeding. About 1hr later, ORP increases even when skimmer was off. 

- Spilling skim into the sump makes it dirty. Significant drop in ORP

- The regular run rate for ORP is roughly 350-380 zone. But adding carbon brings it beyond 400 zone => Carbon makes the water cleaner

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/mysliceofnature/

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • SRC Supporter

Tank is now about 1 month old. Still trying to stabilize things (CR tuning, light setting......)

Some photos to share :

5590F12C-4ED5-47EE-B332-FD559640950A.jpg

  • The very effective skimmer does a fantastic job of removing organics fast & helped keep nitrates quite low. 
  • Diatoms appeared during the 1st week then disappeared after 1 additional week & never came back. I'm attributing the reduced diatom / algae in the display tank to the ATS.

1.5wks of hair algae from the ATS screen.

4c048942-d8cd-4efc-84b0-ee2ba7c1d0e1.jpg

 

Green Monti nicely encrusted on back wall already.

PC100310.jpg

 

This has lighted up significantly

PC100311.jpg

 

Jade green digi 

PC100245.jpg

 

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/mysliceofnature/

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • SRC Supporter
Just now, Dechew said:

ATS is also useful to eliminate diatoms?

Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app
 

No 'scientific proof', but just my anecdotal feedback. I'm using mostly new media (sand, rocks). Did not use yeast. There was loads of diatoms everywhere on week 1 (no ATS yet)

But they started to disappear a couple of days after I started the ATS (on week 2). And completely went away within a week.

 

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/mysliceofnature/

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...
  • SRC Supporter

Just back from an 11 day overseas trip. Thankfully, there weren't too much issues. A couple of things done :

- Connected a drain tube to the skimmer cup to an external bucket

P1010498.jpg

 

- Hooked up a float switch to the bucket in case it overflows. These things can happen (eg. Anemone gets stuck in the wavemaker). If too full, the Apex Neptune will shut off the skimmer & send me a mobile phone notification.

IMG_2384.jpg

 

- Placed a larger ATO bucket

P1010499.jpg

 

- And many thanks to Lawrence & Chun Wai for coming in to check on my tank occasionally.  At the mid point, they helped to test KH levels....found it was dropping to from 8.5dKH to 7dKH. With the Apex, it was possible to increase the CO2 timing of the calcium reactor to bring it back to the 'regular levels'.

 

 

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/mysliceofnature/

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • SRC Supporter

Some photos to share :

 

Acans from recent LCK shipment

P1030394.jpg

 

Browned up blue stag. New growth is more blue.

P1030251.jpg

 

Yuma from early SA shipment

P1030396.jpg

 

 

 

Time to molt. Shell growing algae

P1030518.jpg

 

Sunflower from reefer Anthony. Recall exchanging a few polyps from him in exchange for a tube of BSI glue at 12.30am in the morning.

P1030519.jpg

 

P1030524.jpg

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/mysliceofnature/

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • SRC Supporter

Thanks....pics taken a moment ago.

 

I didn't measure phosphate after i got back. Wasn't too concerned about it as there is Rowaphos running in a reactor.

Nitrates was between 0.5ppm - 1ppm, KH 8, Potassium was 360ppm (low).

 

2 colonies were faded possibly due to lack of supplementation & feeding. Hope they recover. The rest are generally OK.

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/mysliceofnature/

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks....pics taken a moment ago.
 
I didn't measure phosphate after i got back. Wasn't too concerned about it as there is Rowaphos running in a reactor.
Nitrates was between 0.5ppm - 1ppm, KH 8, Potassium was 360ppm (low).
 
2 colonies were faded possibly due to lack of supplementation & feeding. Hope they recover. The rest are generally OK.


So how do you feed your fishes? With the help of law and cw? Any manual dosing needed for your tank or only those normal cal, kh, mag in the dosing pump?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • SRC Supporter

Feeding was done mainly with the auto feeder. 2 rotations twice a day.

P1040542.jpg

 

I engaged a pet sitter to come in daily to feed my cats. They are not familiar with marine aquariums, so they were only able to drop a cube of frozen mysis shrimp into the tank. Not safe to get them to dose stuff.

 

The calcium reactor covers the basic Ca, Mg, KH. Other things dosed regularly are FM color elements (manual at the moment). 

Other things dosed are Potassium (2x a week), Bromide (2x a week), Iodide (daily)

  • Like 1

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/mysliceofnature/

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Any reason why you must dose potassium, bromide and iodide regularly? Did you check your water parameters and notice these three drop regularly? Because I don't really dose these three. Not sure whether am I'm doing it safe or not. By the way did your calcium reactor clog during your absence? Any plan b if it clog during your trip?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • SRC Supporter

Potassium is a main element in NSW (not a trace element). Hence its considered one of the more important parameters.

I'm not an expert but based on what i understand, lack of Potassium will result in dull colors especially blue/purple.

I always check potassium before dosing.

 

Iodide is used by macro algae (eg Coralline). This helps the rocks color up purple quicker.

I copy/paste this from google : Iodine is a critical element for cellular function and the transfer of nutrients within cells.  Larger organisms require Iodine for proper thyroid function, production of hormones, and regulating metabolism.  Iodine is utilized by corals for the synthesis of pigments, which allow them to adapt to varying light conditions and provide their tissue with protection from UV radiation.  Invertebrates with exoskeletons (primarily shrimp and crabs in the aquarium) incorporate iodine in to exoskeletons and require iodine for molting and forming new exoskeletons as they grow.

I test for iodide but test kits may be inaccurate - always reads below specs close to 0ppm

From what  read, Bromide must be present in order for Iodide to be metabolized by marine organisms. Can't test for bromide with home test kits.

 

I suppose that regular water change should suffice to maintain good water parameters. But i'm changing 10% every 2 weeks, so more attention is probably needed with dosing.

 

The CR was run at a fast drip rate to minimize the chance of clogging. Plan B will be for reefer to come in to help check & purge the tube to unclog it.

A more certain way would be to use a high duty cycle peristaltic pump to push water through & not restrict it after the CR (similar to Ian's set up). I've not implemented it yet.

202EB1A4-3D13-42AD-80CB-3ABF2E58E203.JPG

 

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/mysliceofnature/

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • SRC Member
On 1/4/2017 at 8:28 PM, SubzeroLT said:
Potassium is a main element in NSW (not a trace element). Hence its considered one of the more important parameters.
I'm not an expert but based on what i understand, lack of Potassium will result in dull colors especially blue/purple.
I always check potassium before dosing.
 
Iodide is used by macro algae (eg Coralline). This helps the rocks color up purple quicker.
I copy/paste this from google : Iodine is a critical element for cellular function and the transfer of nutrients within cells.  Larger organisms require Iodine for proper thyroid function, production of hormones, and regulating metabolism.  Iodine is utilized by corals for the synthesis of pigments, which allow them to adapt to varying light conditions and provide their tissue with protection from UV radiation.  Invertebrates with exoskeletons (primarily shrimp and crabs in the aquarium) incorporate iodine in to exoskeletons and require iodine for molting and forming new exoskeletons as they grow.
I test for iodide but test kits may be inaccurate - always reads below specs close to 0ppm
From what  read, Bromide must be present in order for Iodide to be metabolized by marine organisms. Can't test for bromide with home test kits.
 
I suppose that regular water change should suffice to maintain good water parameters. But i'm changing 10% every 2 weeks, so more attention is probably needed with dosing.
 
The CR was run at a fast drip rate to minimize the chance of clogging. Plan B will be for reefer to come in to help check & purge the tube to unclog it.
A more certain way would be to use a high duty cycle peristaltic pump to push water through & not restrict it after the CR (similar to Ian's set up). I've not implemented it yet.
202EB1A4-3D13-42AD-80CB-3ABF2E58E203.JPG


A more certain way would be to use a high duty cycle peristaltic pump to push water through & not restrict it after the CR (similar to Ian's set up). I've not implemented it yet. - I actually have a peristaltic pump lying around, so to clarify, to do this, do we remove the current pump feeding the CR and use the peristaltic pump instead or do we continue to use the feeding pump and install the peristaltic pump after to push the water through the effluent ?

Tank Size: 3.5 ft x 2 ft x 2 ft
Sump: 3ft x 1.5ft x 1.5ft”
Return Pump: Eheim 1264
Chiller Pump: H2Ocean Flow Pump 3000
Skimmer: Vertex Alpha 200
Wavemakers: 2 X Maxspect Gyre 130; 1 x Ecotech VorTech MP10WES, 1 x Ecotech VorTech MP40WES, 1x Jebao RW15
Filtration: Schuran Multifilter 100 (Rowa Phos), Two Little Fishies Phosban 150 Fluidised Reactor (Vertex Rox 0.8 Carbon), Enductor Fluidized Reactor- FR45 (NP Biopellets & All In One Biopellets) with Eden 140 Pump, Santa Monica Hogx1 Algae Turf Scrubber, Cheato
Calcium Reactor: Skimz CM152 with needle valve and Maxijet 600 feed Pump (CaribSea ARM Extra Coarse ,KZ Coral Gravel, Two Little Fishies Reborn, Grotech Magnesium Pro)
Dosing: Bubble Magnus Dosing Pump BM-T01 + 2 x 4 Head Expansion Accessory BM-T02
Bio Media: Marine Pure, Bacteria King, Eheim Substrat Pro, Eheim Substrat, Seachem DeNitrate, PowerHouse Hard, Polyplab Biosphere, Seachem Purigen

Chiller: JBJ Arctica Titanium Aquarium Chiller (1/3 Hp - DBE-150)
Lighting: ATI Powermodule 6 x 39 Watt T5. Solite 4 x 39 Watt T5 (Only 2 used) (Blue+ Blue+ Coral+ Purple+ Coral+ AB Special) (Blue+ Purple+)
Auto Top Up system: Tunze Osmolator Universal 3155 Auto Top Off
Monitoring: 2 x Milwaukee MC 122 PH Controller (Calcium Reactor & PH Monitoring)

Substrate: CaribSea Aragamax Select

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • SRC Supporter
57 minutes ago, redsuns said:

So to clarify, to do this, do we remove the current pump feeding the CR and use the peristaltic pump instead or do we continue to use the feeding pump and install the peristaltic pump after to push the water through the effluent ?

The peristaltic pump now becomes the 'feed' pump before the CR (i.e. replace original feed pump with peristaltic pump). 

With a good peristaltic pump, you can adjust the motor speed -> effluent drip rate

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/mysliceofnature/

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • SRC Member
The peristaltic pump now becomes the 'feed' pump before the CR (i.e. replace original feed pump with peristaltic pump). 
With a good peristaltic pump, you can adjust the motor speed -> effluent drip rate


I see, thanks! So using the peristaltic pump to control the effluent drip rate thus bypassing the current needle valve used to control the drip rate ya?

Tank Size: 3.5 ft x 2 ft x 2 ft
Sump: 3ft x 1.5ft x 1.5ft”
Return Pump: Eheim 1264
Chiller Pump: H2Ocean Flow Pump 3000
Skimmer: Vertex Alpha 200
Wavemakers: 2 X Maxspect Gyre 130; 1 x Ecotech VorTech MP10WES, 1 x Ecotech VorTech MP40WES, 1x Jebao RW15
Filtration: Schuran Multifilter 100 (Rowa Phos), Two Little Fishies Phosban 150 Fluidised Reactor (Vertex Rox 0.8 Carbon), Enductor Fluidized Reactor- FR45 (NP Biopellets & All In One Biopellets) with Eden 140 Pump, Santa Monica Hogx1 Algae Turf Scrubber, Cheato
Calcium Reactor: Skimz CM152 with needle valve and Maxijet 600 feed Pump (CaribSea ARM Extra Coarse ,KZ Coral Gravel, Two Little Fishies Reborn, Grotech Magnesium Pro)
Dosing: Bubble Magnus Dosing Pump BM-T01 + 2 x 4 Head Expansion Accessory BM-T02
Bio Media: Marine Pure, Bacteria King, Eheim Substrat Pro, Eheim Substrat, Seachem DeNitrate, PowerHouse Hard, Polyplab Biosphere, Seachem Purigen

Chiller: JBJ Arctica Titanium Aquarium Chiller (1/3 Hp - DBE-150)
Lighting: ATI Powermodule 6 x 39 Watt T5. Solite 4 x 39 Watt T5 (Only 2 used) (Blue+ Blue+ Coral+ Purple+ Coral+ AB Special) (Blue+ Purple+)
Auto Top Up system: Tunze Osmolator Universal 3155 Auto Top Off
Monitoring: 2 x Milwaukee MC 122 PH Controller (Calcium Reactor & PH Monitoring)

Substrate: CaribSea Aragamax Select

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • SRC Supporter
On 1/5/2017 at 9:24 AM, redsuns said:

I see, thanks! So using the peristaltic pump to control the effluent drip rate thus bypassing the current needle valve used to control the drip rate ya?

Yes, no need for the needle/pinch valve. However, a good peristaltic pump is expensive & noisy. Hence the economical approach of using a feed pump method may just be more practical for many.

 

Personally, the 2 best flow control valves used are the (1) SMC needle valves, and (2) Flow-Rite Controls Pinch valve

P1050548.jpg

 

  • Like 1

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/mysliceofnature/

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




×
×
  • Create New...