Reefmack Posted May 25, 2008 Share Posted May 25, 2008 Thank You, Thank you, ThankYou!!! Just did it on my BC 14 and it worked like a charm. Great tip! James You're welcome! Sometimes the best things in life are free! I'm glad this simple idea has helped someone else, and nothing to buy since the spoon can be washed & used for what spoons are normally used for LOL! Quote Link to comment
StevieT Posted May 26, 2008 Author Share Posted May 26, 2008 mmmmmmm coralline tasting spoon, yummy! Quote Link to comment
HORTON16 Posted May 26, 2008 Share Posted May 26, 2008 I have a question You can make salt water in one day? Or does it take a while? Quote Link to comment
StevieT Posted May 26, 2008 Author Share Posted May 26, 2008 I usually make mine the same day that I do a change. Now there are a few factors that will regulate if the water is ready: 1. Temperature 2. PH You need to wait for the water to match the tanks temperature. That will take a few hours depending on what size heater you are using. Also, you may have an issue with the new waters PH. It may be lower than in the tank. To solve this add an airstone to the bucket. My PH is usually matched without using any kind of air stone, just good circulation is needed when mixing the salt. I have gotten in the habbit of opening the pumps air valve since it is an old skimmer pump, it seems to help with oxygen exchange and PH. Quote Link to comment
HORTON16 Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 Thanks StevieT I used to get water from my LFS but after reading your guide I think I want to make it myself Quote Link to comment
StevieT Posted May 27, 2008 Author Share Posted May 27, 2008 you're welcome. I find it so much easier to make your own, plus there are no travel expenses and impulse buys at the LFS! You also have 100% control over the water, salt, and mixing quality. Quote Link to comment
HORTON16 Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 you're welcome. I find it so much easier to make your own, plus there are no travel expenses and impulse buys at the LFS! You also have 100% control over the water, salt, and mixing quality. are there different quality salts? Quote Link to comment
StevieT Posted May 27, 2008 Author Share Posted May 27, 2008 are there different quality salts? oh yes! plenty of debate on this one too http://reefsaltanalysis.googlepages.com/AW...alysis_0208.pdf Quote Link to comment
HORTON16 Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 (edited) oh yes! plenty of debate on this one too http://reefsaltanalysis.googlepages.com/AW...alysis_0208.pdf So that's another + about doing it my self. Im sure the LFS uses the lowest quality since it's free. Well maybe not IDK. They use instant ocean. What do you recommend for a reef tank? Edited May 27, 2008 by HORTON16 Quote Link to comment
HORTON16 Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 You should write a book. I guarantee you can get it published Quote Link to comment
StevieT Posted May 27, 2008 Author Share Posted May 27, 2008 I really like Red Sea Coral Pro, it has worked well for me. on the book....I hate reading I am into making equipment right now, maybe I'll get to that book one day, there needs to be more out there for nano reefs. Quote Link to comment
HORTON16 Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 I really like Red Sea Coral Pro, it has worked well for me. on the book....I hate reading I am into making equipment right now, maybe I'll get to that book one day, there needs to be more out there for nano reefs. It would be a great idea. You pretty much have it all written just need to make it longer. You can make good money. Quote Link to comment
Reefmack Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 (edited) Be careful with that AWT salt analysis - it's a good guide but the results are flawed. They tested at a certain level to determine salinity strength at the beginning, but never adjusted any of the levels in the following tests to make up for varying salinities. So the results aren't totally reliable. It's still a good reference though. Instant Ocean isn't a bad salt. Each salt is a bit different for Ca, Mg, alkalinity & trace element amounts. One is better for one thing, another is better for something else. I switch around between IO, IO Reef Crystals, and Red Sea Coral Pro, and whether one is better I cannot tell from the health of the life in my tank - they all work for me. But, I add a trace element additive, coral vitamins/amino acids, just to be sure. And I track my Ca and alk and add a 2-part and a pH buffer to my ATO water to keep everything in line. Water changes are important in helping keep the water parameters in line too. As StevieT said you can find debates, and conflicting opinions all over the place on what salt is best! Edited May 27, 2008 by Reefmack Quote Link to comment
HORTON16 Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...amp;pcatid=4671 How is that pump? What model should I get? Quote Link to comment
StevieT Posted May 27, 2008 Author Share Posted May 27, 2008 for mixing salt? that pump should do fine, anything cheap will do the trick, but don't get something too weak since it will take forever to mix and can leave salt undissolved at the bottom of the bucket. Look at a Maxi Jet to compare prices, they have air hose intakes so you can inject bubbles into the water. Quote Link to comment
HORTON16 Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 I just found a kit on Drs.F&S for $90. Refractometer Pump Siphon Thermometer Heater Some chemical Quote Link to comment
StevieT Posted May 28, 2008 Author Share Posted May 28, 2008 do you have a link so I can look that kit over? Quote Link to comment
HORTON16 Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 their site is going slow for me once it come up i will post it Quote Link to comment
91coupe Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...mp;pcatid=14675 I believe this is what Horton is referring to Quote Link to comment
HORTON16 Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...fm?pcatid=14675 Quote Link to comment
Reefmack Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 HORTON16 On the F&S kit it looks like the siphon is just 10 feet of 1/2" tubing - if that's true there are easier to start siphons available - with just tubing you'd have to suck on one end to get it going. JMO but I wouldn't care to be doing that. No idea what that Neutralize chemical is, but I doubt it's needed. The other stuff is OK. Just my opinions. Quote Link to comment
HORTON16 Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 HORTON16 On the F&S kit it looks like the siphon is just 10 feet of 1/2" tubing - if that's true there are easier to start siphons available - with just tubing you'd have to suck on one end to get it going. JMO but I wouldn't care to be doing that. No idea what that Neutralize chemical is, but I doubt it's needed. The other stuff is OK. Just my opinions. I already have a siphon I wouldnt need that. The main things i'm buying it for is the heater, pump, thermometer, refractometer Quote Link to comment
mmelnick Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 props on another awesome thread StevieT!!! this and the how to glue thread should be stickies on this site!!!! Quote Link to comment
HORTON16 Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 props on another awesome thread StevieT!!! this and the how to glue thread should be stickies on this site!!!! this is a sticky Quote Link to comment
StevieT Posted May 30, 2008 Author Share Posted May 30, 2008 props on another awesome thread StevieT!!! this and the how to glue thread should be stickies on this site!!!! thanks Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.