Melev's new 280g Starfire tank thread

JohnL · #1 11/05/2007, 07:56 PM

This thread was automatically split due to performance issues. You can find the rest of the thread here: http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...6#post11123556

melev · #2 11/05/2007, 07:56 PM

Woohoo! My water change article is finally online. I wrote it for my site but gave it to Reefkeeping Online first and they used it.

melev · #3 11/05/2007, 07:57 PM

Resubscribing.

InsaneClownFish · #4 11/05/2007, 08:06 PM

OOOO I just wanted to be the third post here...

CompNrdCR · #5 11/05/2007, 08:06 PM

Wow... Another thread split!

jjmcat · #6 11/05/2007, 08:12 PM

Nice split.Btw I just got my goodies from you.

CompNrdCR · #7 11/05/2007, 08:14 PM

BTW melev I agree with doing water changes... It is a pain but all my water chemistry is so much better. There is only so much you can do with additives and water modifiers to fix wacky chemistry.

melev · #8 11/05/2007, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jjmcat
Nice split.Btw I just got my goodies from you.

Thanks again for the frags!

Genetics · #9 11/05/2007, 08:55 PM

Congrats on the publication.

Kentanner11 · #10 11/05/2007, 09:12 PM

Hey mark is shipping included w/ your RO/DI purchase?

gkarshens · #11 11/05/2007, 09:14 PM

How many splits is this now?

jnarowe · #12 11/05/2007, 09:23 PM

Nice article Marc. I think there was a lot of good know-how in there. I tend to ignore pH though, as every advanced water chemistry article I have read has stated that they do not "combine" or effect each other. It's hard for me to fully understand, much less explain, but that was repeated in multiple articles.

I do fully subscribe to testing every batch that I make, and actually purchasing a small amount of several salts to test, and then buy in the one that I like the most. In the article I was a little confused by the pH/alk discussion, but I know what you mean. And testing alk is my number one priority. It's so easy to bump, and extremely important that it is on par. So I test the tank and the new water, and bump if needed.

I also age water for a week. I do a water change at least once per week, and immediately mix up the next batch. Then it gets stirred and aerated until the next water change. I do this primarily because I like to always have fresh water on hand in case there is some urgent need, but also because it's easy to do the tasks at the same time.

It amazes me how many reef keepers do not do water changes, or even understand their importance so hopefully your article will open some eyes. (Well except for those counter-culture guys that don't do them at all.

)

melev · #13 11/05/2007, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gkarshens
How many splits is this now?

This is the 10th split since the thread was started. The first section was 107 pages long and since then every section is 40 pages. So I believe we are on page 507 at the moment.

Jonathan - thanks.

Ken - you have a PM.

jjmcat · #14 11/05/2007, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by melev
Thanks again for the frags!

Have any pics yet?

melev · #15 11/05/2007, 11:43 PM

I posted them a few days ago.

Hop · #16 11/05/2007, 11:48 PM

Congrats on the article and the split. Someday I'm going to keep a tank long enough for the thread to split

FroMan · #17 11/06/2007, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Goodwin9
The "Master Tester" hard at work. Now I feel much more confident that I have been using the tests correctly as Marc's result were very close to the same results I have been getting.

5 drops component A, 3 drops component B, 2 drops of coffee....

InsaneClownFish · #18 11/06/2007, 11:14 PM

Has anyone noticed more autobiographical pics lately and less livestock and educational fare?

"Look at me ladies, I'm a single reefer with boyish good looks."

melev · #19 11/06/2007, 11:36 PM

Update on water parameters as of mere minutes ago:

Temp: 79.4 F
pH: 8.14
Salinity: 1.025sg
Nitrate: 2 !!
Phosphate: 0
Calcium: 425
Alkalinity: 10.6dKH
Magnesium: 1400
ORP: 293

I think it is time to taper off on AZNO3. I noticed today that some zoanthids are less open, and the bubble coral looks smaller. The BTAs are kind of shiny looking. Everything else seems pretty normal.

I think the nutrient level in the tank has dropped and is a little too low. I'll be feeding baby brine shrimp to the tank again in the next 48 hours on a daily basis now that I'm back in town for the time being. A water change will take place next weekend, and I'll give the sump a good cleaning when I do that.

Maybe the zoanthids are just having a bad day, but it worries me.

InsaneClownFish · #20 11/06/2007, 11:53 PM

I think your instincts are right on. You made a good call too with your modified dosing schedule. Congrats on effectively getting your nitrate down! Good stuff.

jnarowe · #21 11/07/2007, 01:43 AM

Looking great Marc. Very nice turn around. I will keep that in mind for the future.

Kentanner11 · #22 11/07/2007, 08:57 AM

Congrats!

Zoom · #23 11/07/2007, 10:57 AM

This nuts my NO3 is at 2 But i still have some GHA and cyno in my tank .
The Cheato still grown good in my refuge i just don't know if the algae sucking up the NO3 and the test kit gives me my false reading .
I was going to order some AZNO3 to try it.
Marc do you see any reduction on the Cyno Yet?

TRITON1 · #24 11/07/2007, 03:09 PM

Ill predict marcs response:

cyano = chemiclean

melev · #25 11/07/2007, 06:10 PM

Oh no, not at all. I have a full on cyano bloom in my tank at the moment, but it seems to only be on the sand in the front of the tank, and in the prop section of my sump. That is why I want to do a good cleaning during my weekend water change, to get rid of this stuff that is fueling its growth.

Using AZNO3, you must run your skimmer. Usince Chemi-Clean, you can't use your skimmer. So you have to fight one battle at a time. For now, siphoning it out is my weapon of choice.