400g system from scratch pictorial - Page 23

scotty1234 · #**551** 09/08/2005, 07:49 AM

Click here for some good reading on alkalinity and calcium problems.

I've always used baking soda to raise the alkalinity and never had any problems. To raise the calcium I always use the Seachem Advantage Calcium product. After you raise the ca and alk your reactor should be able to maintain it for you. You can also increase both by making your reactor release more co2 and effluent water into the system. That would be the first thing I would check is to see if you have a good effluent drip and good co2 flow.

aqua_obs · #**552** 09/13/2005, 01:36 PM

The more your corals grow, the more Ca and Mg uptake. It'll require testing, but hopefully stabilize how much addition you'll have to do. It takes both to form the skeletons if I remember some of the talks correctly. It's self-defeating wanting your corals to thrive and grow! ;-)

Nice Mandy, I have one just like em. They are very cool.

new2reefsalso · #**553** 09/25/2005, 06:51 PM

nice setup what are the 2 crown amps for you must have a really nice theater down there

LittleBlueGT · #**554** 09/25/2005, 07:30 PM

Coraline will suck back calcium pretty good.

I think you should be able to maitain the levels in your tank with your equipment, just need to take advantage of it a bit better.

My 250 is full of SPS, all are growing like crazy! 5 clams too, 2 are over 6 inches.
What media are you using in your reactor?
What is your effluent DkH?
Once you get the Magnesium just bring up your freshly made water to something like 1380 and you should not even have to test it anymore. Also, it would be good to bring up your freshly made water to about 425 calcium.

FWIW I kept my tank at 425/1350/9-10 for about 6 months with hardly any maintenance, I only tested once every 6 weeks!

Since my reactor had a problem I have had some issues. Right now my tank has been at 370/1310/7-8 and everything is still growing well, so I wouldn't worry too much about keeping high numbers. I still like to keep my numbers like they used to be so in case something breaks while I am away for a few days the numbers don't stray down too much.

Good luck.

dareiff · #**555** 09/25/2005, 11:20 PM

It looks like I've got a reason to continue making money now.. I just read the whole thing tonight.. Morning practice in 6 hours.. ouch..
NICE job..

pclausen · #**556** 09/26/2005, 11:51 AM

Thanks guys. I hope to have my magnesium this week, so I'll mix it in w/ my next batch of water.

I use ARM media in my reactor right now. I have not tested my effluent for DkH, just Calcium which was around 480 or so.

Since re-filling my CO2 bottle, I've been struggling to get a steady bubble count. It keeps dying, so I unscrew the needle a bit more and all is well for a few days, then it dies again. The input pressure remains steady at 10 PSI, so I'm not really sure what's going on.

I have tried just blasting the reactor with CO2 and just letting the pH probe cut it off when the effluent out the 1st chamber drops to 6.5 and then turn it back on once the effluent goes back up to 6.7. But I think it would be better to have a steady bubble count.

Those are CE2000 amps that I run bridged into 8 ohm loads giving me 1320w for each of my power hungry JBL 18" subs.

LittleBlueGT · #**557** 09/26/2005, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pclausen
Since re-filling my CO2 bottle, I've been struggling to get a steady bubble count. It keeps dying, so I unscrew the needle a bit more and all is well for a few days, then it dies again. The input pressure remains steady at 10 PSI, so I'm not really sure what's going on.

When you get a new bottle of CO2 you have to purge it, crank it wide open for a couple of seconds to get any crap out. Mine did exactly what yours is doing and you have to take your regulator apart and clean it out now.

LittleBlueGT · #**558** 09/26/2005, 01:27 PM

Also, try measuring your effluent Dkh. I have a feeling it is low because you are running too much through your reactor. You might have to slow down the effluent and the bubble count. It sounds like you will get less ouput but that is not always the case. First check your Dkh and report back.

ksheely6578 · #**559** 09/27/2005, 03:06 AM

It has been a long time since I have seen a tank this well thought out, you have set a precident for NewB reefers, Planning is everything beautiful setup I am impressed keep up the good work

Chrisrush · #**560** 09/27/2005, 08:02 AM

Looks good Peter. I agree w/ LSM about the CO2 bottle.

BTW, do you have that chart showing the values for the past TOTM winners?

Thanks,
Chris

scotty1234 · #**561** 09/28/2005, 05:32 PM

What kind of regulator are you using?

Rhodan · #**562** 10/02/2005, 01:06 PM

Peter,

I one time you were thinking of adding a penductor to your CL system. Did you ever do that? Could you see a difference (is it worth it)?

-Matt

pclausen · #**563** 10/03/2005, 08:13 AM

Scotty, I have a MRC dual gauge regulator. 2nd one from the bottom on the url below:

http://myreefcreations.com/caaccessories.htm

LSM, I tried taking the needle valve apart this weekend, but I can only unscrew it so far, so I'm not sure how to do it. I did purge the bottle yesterday and things are better, but still not perfect.

Chris, I don't have such a chart.

Matt, I did think about adding a penductor but so far haven't gotten around to trying it.

Bax · #**564** 10/03/2005, 10:37 AM

Peter

How about a full tank shot update?

LittleBlueGT · #**565** 10/03/2005, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by pclausen
LSM, I tried taking the needle valve apart this weekend, but I can only unscrew it so far, so I'm not sure how to do it. I did purge the bottle yesterday and things are better, but still not perfect.

On mine I unscrewed the 4 screws that hold the solenoid to the valve body. I then used compressed air to blow it clean, so far it seems to be working.

pclausen · #**566** 10/03/2005, 08:21 PM

I'll give that a shot LSM.

Full view from tonight:

Fullrez

And a couple of shots of recent coral additions:

Green digi:

Green cap w/ purple rim:

Zoos w/ blue centers:

I'm not quite sure what this is, but it looks pretty cool and is a lot more intense green that this picture suggest.

And finally a shot of my giant LTA that decided to move to the side of the tank a few weeks ago. Given the 24" depth of the tank, you can tell this guy is rather large.

Bax · #**567** 10/04/2005, 02:13 PM

Nice, very nice

LoneStarSA · #**568** 11/06/2005, 10:52 PM

Its been a month but got any cool updates?

avolar · #**569** 12/18/2005, 06:06 PM

WOW! great job, any more picks?

Bax · #**570** 12/18/2005, 09:29 PM

Yes Peter, Pics please

LoneStarSA · #**571** 12/19/2005, 03:40 PM

ok working on almost 2 months!! We need updates!

rdavis289 · #**572** 01/09/2006, 11:18 PM

Anything new with your tank. I have been following this tank since the beginning. If you could, let us know how your tank is progressing.

Bax · #**573** 01/10/2006, 09:05 AM

PICS ... PICS ... PICS !!!

NexDog · #**574** 01/10/2006, 09:58 AM

Call the thread doctor, dial 911, forum ambulances needed!

pclausen · #**575** 01/10/2006, 11:36 AM

Sorry guys, I've been out of the loop for a while. I'll get some new pics up soon.

I just got back from a trip to the Bahamas where I, among other things, did some snorkeling to check out a fantastic barrier reef a few hundred yards off the shore of Great Guana Cay (part of the Abacos). Unfortunately I didn't have an underwater camera, but it was incredible to see all the fish and corals in their natural habitat.