THE OFFICIAL ASK ALBERT THIEL THREAD

[albertthiel]

OK I have some numbers and I fixed my ORP probe. My numbers yesterday were most likely wrong. This morning the ORP in the tank was 214 with no oxidator. My tank runs low probably because of it's age and all the stuff I add. In the algae trough it was 229 which makes sense because the water with the ozone in it flows through there.

 

When I injected the oxygen from the oxidator into the skimmer for about an hour the reading went up to 263 in the trough.

Now I put the outlet from the oxidator back into my powerhead where it fills the tank with miniscule oxygen bubbles and after 2 hours the ORP in the tank is 263.

 

So it seems to have gone up 49 points with the oxidator. I am going to let it run all night like this and see what happens.

This is hard to tell because the ORP changes during the day anyway. But after I run it all night I should have a better idea. I know the orp probe is working now because I put it in a tube, then added a little Clorox and it went up quite a bit.

 

When I have time I want to remove the tube from the powerhead and stick it either in the powerhead that feeds the UG filter or back into the skimmer which is easier.

 

Thanks for the update Paul ... so it seems that the Oxydator you made does indeed raise the oxygen level and the redox and that is obviously what I was figuring it would do.

 

When you measure the ORP tomorrow can you measure it where the water comes out of the skimmer, and then also at the end of the scrubber before the water drops back into the tank.

 

Pity that you have to hook it up through that Power Head and get all those tiny bubbles .... but maybe you'll figure out a way to get the unit to produce smaller bubbles and use it the way the German ones do.

 

Also what would be interesting to know is whether you see a difference in how the corals look tomorrow once the lights are on and the oxygen is going into the tank.

 

Thanks for all the testing you are doing and trying to get one made that works like the German one where the bubbles are so small that you can actually not see them but they are obviously entering the water as if they did not I would not have seen the changes I saw in my corals when I removed mine, and then the change again when I put it back. I wonder if you can get enough pressure to build up from the device so you can push the oxygen through a piece of oak rather than the regular wood used, as oak would offer a lot more resistance and if the pressure is high enough from the oxygen generated the bubbles coming out of it would be smaller.

 

I used to do that when we did not use venturi's on skimmers decades ago and used a real powerful Wisa air pump to get enough air pressure into the oak and that always gave me very tiny bubbles and lots of them, but I am not sure that the reaction in your container that has the peroxide and the catalyst can build up enough pressure to get it through an oak wood stone. That would is tough to get air through ...

 

Thanks for all the tests you are conducting.

 

BTW I spoke to the supposed new importer of the Oxydator and will post a message about my conversation with him later. I already did on the other forum so you may have read it already, but others obviously have not.

 

Albert

 

P.S. you now have 130 Likes ... Nice

[albertthiel]

Info on the new Cobalt Neo-Therm Heaters

 

New design and according to reviews I read very reliable ...

 

For info as I am not associated with them

 

Link : http://www.cobaltaquatics.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=33

 

Albert

[FlCandy]

Pic dump for your thread.

Taken today just an hour ago. Forgive any algae, it's being eaten as we speak by 2 emeralds who have a taste for Byropsis. I got lucky!

 

 

 

 

Horney Snails

 

Ummm Yeah.... Glad I'm not a snail....

 

You can see the rastas, Red Hornets, and Blue Hornets all are throwing new polyps and growing like weeds!

 

 

I love the punk rockers in the upper left.

 

Bad bit splitting froggie

 

Look at all the babies! I have 6 of the pink with green centers and 4 of the sunny d's

 

 

 

You can see all the growth on the clam in this pic.

 

Can see it here too, just an awesome pic. Forgive the algae, the emeralds are working on it.

 

Horrible, but baby acans all over the place.

 

Getting BIG

 

I bet I have the only rock flower nem that likes to walk around in a circle. He literally did that and is headed back to his old spot again that he was in since I got him. Stupid Nem.

 

 

 

That's all for now.

[albertthiel]

The Oxydator : Update on Availability

 

I had a long tel conversation today with the owner of the Company that is supposed to be the new importer for the Oxydator from Söchting, Germany.

 

It would appear that he will indeed, at some point, start importing the devices but I could not pin him down on a specific date.

 

He is also not going to be at Coral Con and probably not a Macna either showcasing the product at a Booth. At least not based on what he told me on the phone.

 

Based on all that was discussed I fear, without being able to be totally sure of course, that it may be quiet some time before he will be bringing it in, that is if he actually does import it at all, (IMO).

 

I gather that what was hoped for is not going to transpire any time soon unless something changes, or unless someone else gets the importation rights.

 

This is "for info only" and based on "my" interpretation of the conversation I had with that Individual.

 

Albert

[FlCandy]

So it's mostly of the fish..... sorry

Female GBG

 

 

 

See the blenny top left!

 

 

Male GBG, he is a bit shy. He looks so grumpy

 

Bivalves/clams either way their awesome, we saved from death the Sunday after my birthday, they were attached to the oysters we were going to steam, so I put them in the tank.

 

Awesome Pink and Purple ric I got at a local LFS for $20 with 4 mouths.

 

Neat Metallic Macro, it's growing in flat, thick broad leaves, each has a individual stem attached to the rock.

 

With Camo on (Yesterday)

 

Today

 

 

 

 

 

So goofy looking.

 

So that's it until I get the shipment from Morgan. I had to slowly move towards the tank a bit at a time until I could get those pics of the TSB but he is getting braver, swimming around, only been in the tank since Thursday.

[albertthiel]

Pic dump for your thread.

Taken today just an hour ago. Forgive any algae, it's being eaten as we speak by 2 emeralds who have a taste for Byropsis. I got lucky!

 

 

Horney Snails

 

 

Ummm Yeah.... Glad I'm not a snail....

 

 

You can see the rastas, Red Hornets, and Blue Hornets all are throwing new polyps and growing like weeds!

 

 

 

 

I love the punk rockers in the upper left.

 

 

Bad bit splitting froggie

 

Look at all the babies! I have 6 of the pink with green centers and 4 of the sunny d's

 

 

You can see all the growth on the clam in this pic.

 

 

Can see it here too, just an awesome pic. Forgive the algae, the emeralds are working on it.

 

 

Horrible, but baby acans all over the place.

 

 

Getting BIG

 

 

I bet I have the only rock flower nem that likes to walk around in a circle. He literally did that and is headed back to his old spot again that he was in since I got him. Stupid Nem.

 

 

That's all for now.

 

Thanks Randi. Awesome tank and awesome pics. I loved them all but I thought the one of the splitting Froggie as my favorite one in the whole series, but as I said the tank looks in super shape and with the Emerald getting rid of a few pieces of Bryopsis (lucky you indeed as not too many eat that) that will be taken care of in no time.

 

And about the snails .. well ... you know .. .. they seem to do that all the time .. I find those eggs all over the place in my tank too, and when they spread out as some of the egg strings do in my tank, it looks like I have white speckled rock :-) not to speak of the ones on the glass and on my HOB and even on a power head cord.

 

Great shots ... Thanks for posting them ... I added a few actually to my FB before you posted these :-)

 

Albert

[FlCandy]

I saw just shared the albums to your feed. Thanks for liking the pics!

 

And on the snails! Oh my goodness I had a huge snail spawning about 2 months ago every rock was covered to some extent looked like it snowed in the tank. Silly snails!

[albertthiel]

So it's mostly of the fish..... sorry

Female GBG

 

See the blenny top left!

 

Male GBG, he is a bit shy. He looks so grumpy --- > YES he does ...

 

 

Bivalves/clams either way their awesome, we saved from death the Sunday after my birthday, they were attached to the oysters we were going to steam, so I put them in the tank.

 

Awesome Pink and Purple ric I got at a local LFS for $20 with 4 mouths.

 

Neat Metallic Macro, it's growing in flat, thick broad leaves, each has a individual stem attached to the rock.

 

With Camo on (Yesterday)

 

Today

So goofy looking.

 

So that's it until I get the shipment from Morgan. I had to slowly move towards the tank a bit at a time until I could get those pics of the TSB but he is getting braver, swimming around, only been in the tank since Thursday.

 

Great shots again Randi .. thanks for posting them, everyone likes pics and these two series are just great

 

Albert

[FlCandy]

Thanks again

[albertthiel]

I saw just shared the albums to your feed. Thanks for liking the pics!

 

And on the snails! Oh my goodness I had a huge snail spawning about 2 months ago every rock was covered to some extent looked like it snowed in the tank. Silly snails!

 

You are most welcome ... and yes those snails have done that to me a few times too ... They have "no respect" for our good looking live rock at all :-)

 

Albert

[danimal1211]

The Oxydator : Update on Availability I had a long tel conversation today with the owner of the Company that is supposed to be the new importer for the Oxydator from Söchting, Germany. It would appear that he will indeed, at some point, start importing the devices but I could not pin him down on a specific date. He is also not going to be at Coral Con and probably not a Macna either showcasing the product at a Booth. At least not based on what he told me on the phone. Based on all that was discussed I fear, without being able to be totally sure of course, that it may be quiet some time before he will be bringing it in, that is if he actually does import it at all, (IMO). I gather that what was hoped for is not going to transpire any time soon unless something changes, or unless someone else gets the importation rights. This is "for info only" and based on "my" interpretation of the conversation I had with that Individual. Albert

 

Well that is unfortunate to read. Not that. I was enthusiasticly optimistic after my conversation with him, I guess what he was willing to tell me versus someone who has experience like you do in the business was a bit different. I contacted the same company that Rick did from earlier in the thread and ordered 2 of the minis. The shipping was a bit steep but not as bad as I thought.

 

[albertthiel]

Well that is unfortunate to read. Not that. I was enthusiasticly optimistic after my conversation with him, I guess what he was willing to tell me versus someone who has experience like you do in the business was a bit different. I contacted the same company that Rick did from earlier in the thread and ordered 2 of the minis. The shipping was a bit steep but not as bad as I thought.

 

Yes unfortunately I was left with the impression that he was not going to start importing them too soon, so going the route you went is probably the better way to go if you wish to get them soon and I guess Rick did get them quite quickly.

 

Once you have them if there is any way in which I can help you, do let me know and I will be pleased to do so.

 

I was hoping too that the answer would have been that he would have them within weeks or so but that is not the feeling I was left with at all unfortunately.

 

Albert

[danimal1211]

Will do and thanks again Albert. I'm going to start off with 3% h2o2 and see how that goes. I would like to see if you notice a difference going with 6%. If you already mentioned it and I missed it I apologize.

[albertthiel]

Will do and thanks again Albert. I'm going to start off with 3% h2o2 and see how that goes. I would like to see if you notice a difference going with 6%. If you already mentioned it and I missed it I apologize.

 

How large is the tank and how heavily stocked is it ? If you have more than 30 gallons then 6% would be ok, if you have say 20 or a little more and a heavy load then 6 would be ok too, otherwise I would start with 3%.

 

I am signing off for the evening so I will see your response in the morning and tell what I think would be best 3 or 6 ... so please send me the info. Tanks

 

Albert

[danimal1211]

Tank is 8g corals and a few snails only. I have a pretty decent size colony of duncans that I feed every other day as well as my ricordea.

[jedimasterben]

Will do and thanks again Albert. I'm going to start off with 3% h2o2 and see how that goes. I would like to see if you notice a difference going with 6%. If you already mentioned it and I missed it I apologize.

If you don't mind, how much did you pay in total for your unit to get to you?

 

EDIT: wait, I may have you confused with someone else. This thread moves faster than my sister's boston terrier.

[albertthiel]

 

 

Tank is 8g corals and a few snails only. I have a pretty decent size colony of duncans that I feed every other day as well as my ricordea.

 

 

If it is 8 gals with a low load then 3% for sure. Not higher. It is a small tank with a low load so I would not go higher than 3%

 

Sent from my IPhone

Albert

[Paul.b]

More results, this morning the ORP reading is 268. The oxygen has been entering the tank for about 12 hours.

The bubbles are about as tiny as they can get as most of them are to small to rise in the water column and resemble smoke.

I will try to take those other measurements later after the gym.

[albertthiel]

More results, this morning the ORP reading is 268. The oxygen has been entering the tank for about 12 hours.

The bubbles are about as tiny as they can get as most of them are to small to rise in the water column and resemble smoke.

I will try to take those other measurements later after the gym.

 

Thanks Paul, that is actually kind of low but then we don't know what it normally is in the morning unless that was the 239 mv number that you posted yesterday, in which case the morning ORP did go up a good bit for the morning reading indeed.

 

Hope you had a nice work out and yes do let us know some more later in the morning. Thanks

 

Albert

 

If you don't mind, how much did you pay in total for your unit to get to you?

 

EDIT: wait, I may have you confused with someone else. This thread moves faster than my sister's boston terrier.

 

What that for me or Rick or Danimal Ben ?

 

Albert

[atoll]

Hi Albert and all,

 

I have just had a long conversation with Adrian the owner of the company who are the UK distributors of Oxydator products.

 

As many of you know via Alberts posts above it looks like it may well be sometime before you will be able to buy Oxydators in the USA and Canada. To cut a long story and conversation short Adrian has agreed to send me the prices of Oxydators along with the international shipping cost for each model of Oxydator. I think I am right in that I am allowed to post on here the prices and details on how you can order Oxydators. If not somebody let me know ASAP.

 

If I am not allowed to post these prices etc then we can do it via PM I would guess. Adrian has already shipped a number of Oxydators to the USA and Canada however he will not ship the peroxide used for obvious reasons. However this should not be a problem as I buy my 35% peroxide in 500ml containers off eBay you may also be able to do the same. You dilute the 35% to the required % using RO water be it 3 /6% or whatever you require. If you can't get it off US eBay then you should be able to get it online and maybe more local to you.

 

Currently I am waiting for Adrian to send me his prices as he is out and about right now but I hope to have them later on today if not tomorrow. Any questions just ask either on the shipping of Oxydators or just general questions which I am sure either Albert or myself will be able to answer.

 

Les.

[albertthiel]

Hi Albert and all,

 

I have just had a long conversation with Adrian the owner of the company who are the UK distributors of Oxydator products.

 

As many of you know via Alberts posts above it looks like it may well be sometime before you will be able to buy Oxydators in the USA and Canada. To cut a long story and conversation short Adrian has agreed to send me the prices of Oxydators along with the international shipping cost for each model of Oxydator. I think I am right in that I am allowed to post on here the prices and details on how you can order Oxydators. If not somebody let me know ASAP.

 

If I am not allowed to post these prices etc then we can do it via PM I would guess. Adrian has already shipped a number of Oxydators to the USA and Canada however he will not ship the peroxide used for obvious reasons. However this should not be a problem as I buy my 35% peroxide in 500ml containers off eBay you may also be able to do the same. You dilute the 35% to the required % using RO water be it 3 /6% or whatever you require. If you can't get it off US eBay then you should be able to get it online and maybe more local to you.

 

Currently I am waiting for Adrian to send me his prices as he is out and about right now but I hope to have them later on today if not tomorrow. Any questions just ask either on the shipping of Oxydators or just general questions which I am sure either Albert or myself will be able to answer.

 

Les.

 

Les, since no one in the US sells them, it is not interfering with the business of the sponsors on this forum or with anyone else's business IMO so I don't see why it would be an issue.

 

And yes I understand that he cannot ship the peroxide but that is easy enough to get, even the higher concentrations via eBay or other suppliers who are online. I got my 35% from John Farrrell Kuhns, who may be known to the old timers as he was heavily involved in the hobby for many many years and now runs a chemical supply Company. hms - beagle dot com

 

So by all means once you have the pricing go ahead and post them here. Thanks for doing the groundwork on this. I appreciate it.

 

Albert

[Paul.b]

After the lights came on the ORP in the tank is 272. That may be because the lights are now on over the algae trough.

The ORP reading at the beginning of the trough right where the ozonized water enters is 282.

I will try to see what the ORP reading is at the other end of the trough. I am not sure if the wire is long enough from the ORP probe.

The Oxidator is still bubbling oxygen into the powerhead but today I will install it into the intake of the skimmer.

The skimmer is almost 5' deep so the preasures at the bottom are more tham double the preasures in the tank. Any oxygen produced should be completely in solution and not even in bubble form any more.

[atoll]

That's great Albert and when I have the prices and info etc I will post them on here.

Les, since no one in the US sells them, it is not interfering with the business of the sponsors on this forum or with anyone else's business IMO so I don't see why it would be an issue.

 

And yes I understand that he cannot ship the peroxide but that is easy enough to get, even the higher concentrations via eBay or other suppliers who are online. I got my 35% from John Farrrell Kuhns, who may be known to the old timers as he was heavily involved in the hobby for many many years and now runs a chemical supply Company. hms - beagle dot com

 

So by all means once you have the pricing go ahead and post them here. Thanks for doing the groundwork on this. I appreciate it.

 

Albert

[albertthiel]

Last night I completed a total review of the Pest and Disease section of "Nano Reef Aquariums" and added a lot more information and pictures of the many pests we can sometimes find in our Nano-Reefs, many that may account for "mysterious" disappearances of life forms we keep, or for their demise.

 

That section alone is now 39 pages, and includes many pests that I have not seen covered in any other books on Nano-Reefs, and depending on the final formatting may end up being more than 39.

 

I will post some more details on the section later this morning to give you an idea of what is included, and also an update on where we stand with the publication of the book and its expected availability and when it will be shipping.

 

More to follow ....

 

Albert

[albertthiel]

After the lights came on the ORP in the tank is 272. That may be because the lights are now on over the algae trough.

The ORP reading at the beginning of the trough right where the ozonized water enters is 282.

I will try to see what the ORP reading is at the other end of the trough. I am not sure if the wire is long enough from the ORP probe.

 

The Oxidator is still bubbling oxygen into the powerhead but today I will install it into the intake of the skimmer.

The skimmer is almost 5' deep so the preasures at the bottom are more tham double the preasures in the tank. Any oxygen produced should be completely in solution and not even in bubble form any more.

 

Well it looks like the ORP is slowly rising and also that the ORP of the water coming out of the skimmer is indeed higher than what it is before it flows back into the tank.

 

I am sure it will go up some more in the tank as the lights are on for longer, and yes by injecting it into the skimmer it should be completely dissolved which should raise the ORP more.

 

It will be interesting to see what it is in an hour or two both in the tank and coming out of the skimmer and I am sure you'll post those numbers and that they will go up.

 

Thanks for running all these tests Paul

 

Albert