20 Long Nano "Budget" Build *Picture Heavy*

[FISHnChix]

5 hours ago, ccejka said:

Doing the weekly water change and testing notice my calcium levels are sitting pretty low going to test through out the week and possibly do a second water change during the week. 

 

 

Parameters to night 

 

At 2030 before the water change

Temp 76.6

Salinity 1.024

PH 8

NO2 0.00 PPM

NO3 0.00 PPM

NH3/NH4 0.00 PPM

PO3-4 0.00 PPM

CA2 340 PPM

KH 8 dKH

 

Mixed water 3-3.5 gallons of Red Sea Coral Pro salt mixed per their instructions.

PH 8.4

CA2 380 PPM

KH 8.4 dKH

 

At 2146 after the water change tank cycling water for 30 - 45 min.

PH 8.2

CA2 360 PPM

KH 8.2 dKH

 

 

Last week my CA2 was 340 PPM before the water change and then 360-380 PPM after the water change. 

 

 

Well something is off.. red sea pro should be mixing to higher levels . So if your mixing to 1.026 gravity then I would try and find the problem. A few things to check would be

 

1. Test kit? Api is notoriously inaccurate 

2. How are you measuring salinity? Refracometer? could be out of cal.

3. Are you mixing the salt in the salt bucket before adding it in the bucket of water ? 

4. Looks like you know there special mixing instructions already for the salt you use. 

5. Could just be a bad batch of salt

 

 

Anyways tank looks great! Well done on the build...😎

[ccejka]

10 hours ago, btmedic04 said:

What's your magnesium at? From what I've read, that has a stabilizing effect on calcium and alk. Also would it be possible to take a sample to a LFS to confirm that your test kit is reading correctly?

I am going to take some down with me tomorrow and see what it comes out at.

 

8 hours ago, Weikel said:

Well something is off.. red sea pro should be mixing to higher levels . So if your mixing to 1.026 gravity then I would try and find the problem. A few things to check would be

 

1. Test kit? Api is notoriously inaccurate 

2. How are you measuring salinity? Refracometer? could be out of cal.

3. Are you mixing the salt in the salt bucket before adding it in the bucket of water ? 

4. Looks like you know there special mixing instructions already for the salt you use. 

5. Could just be a bad batch of salt

 

I am mixing to the level to match the tank 1.024. I assumed that is what I should be doing to keep my salinity in check.

 

1. I plan to take a water sample to my LFS tomorrow and see if they can test it for me. I bought the API originally before doing a lot of research my brother has a red sea kit I might try and barrow also. @TDC’s Reef (hint hint) what you doing tonight lol

2. I calibrate the refractometer with the solution then used RODI to make sure it would read zero also.

3.I didn't think of that but now that you mention it I have read that it should be done.

4. I am aware of the instruction and try to follow as close as can. 

5. The saltwater mixed last time measured was CA2 was 400 PPM

9 hours ago, Weikel said:

Anyways tank looks great! Well done on the build...😎

Thank! Now I just have to figure out how to balance out these water parameters and keep this shit alive.

[mtnbikeracer]

Following for ideas for my 20gallon long.

[ccejka]

36 minutes ago, mtnbikeracer said:

Following for ideas for my 20gallon long.

 

PM if you want any more detailed pictures

 

[ccejka]

LFS store test came back the very close to mine. 

 

They recommended dosing calcium due to the number of coral in the system. 

 

Purchased BRS calcium and plan to add 5 fl oz. Half of what they recommend and run it for the week testing daily. Hoping to bump up to 360 to 380 ppm for a week then dose the full 11 fl oz and be in the 400 ppm range. Then continue testing schedule and watch the levels. 

 

I was in no hurry to dose but figured at some point I might have to. 

[Slim64684]

6 hours ago, ccejka said:

LFS store test came back the very close to mine. 

 

They recommended dosing calcium due to the number of coral in the system. 

 

Purchased BRS calcium and plan to add 5 fl oz. Half of what they recommend and run it for the week testing daily. Hoping to bump up to 360 to 380 ppm for a week then dose the full 11 fl oz and be in the 400 ppm range. Then continue testing schedule and watch the levels. 

 

I was in no hurry to dose but figured at some point I might have to. 

How may stony corals do you have? And what do you think of the mounting arm for the 2 orbits?

[ccejka]

3 hours ago, Slim64684 said:

How may stony corals do you have? And what do you think of the mounting arm for the 2 orbits?

16 right now don't plan to add any more coral. 

 

I considered it I am really interested in a couple T5 bulbs mixed with the orbit. 

[ccejka]

Tested this morning and CA2 was still at 340 PPM ph 8.2 KH 8 dKH.... this leads me to believe that the problem is not the corals consumption of calcium. I did buy another bucket of Red Sea salt and plan to do a water change to day and see what the water test out at before I add it. 

 

 

[ccejka]

Plan to do two water changes this week, one today and one Thursday to bring up the calcium. I did get a Red Sea Test Kit and here is the results will retest the tank after the water change.

 

Tank Water

Salinity 1.024

Ca2 370 PPM 

Mg 1400 PPM

Alk 8 dKH

 

Mixed Water (Red Sea Coral Pro)

Salinity 1.026

Ca2 430 PPM

Mg 1480

Alk 12.3

 

This guy is ready for my testing to me done and for me to feed him.

 

[ccejka]

Levels are starting to balance out I have just been doing my regular water changes and trying to just let it do its thing its a young tank and I am learning quickly that nothing good in this hobby happens fast....

 

But I did upgrade the lighting on this one. 

[debbeach13]

Are you loving the new lights?

[mtnbikeracer]

Are those lights Kessel?

[ccejka]

1 hour ago, debbeach13 said:

Are you loving the new lights?

So far I love the shimmer and the colors seem to pop so much more than the current usa. Stuff was growing but I think this will provide much more growth and visual appeal. 

 

1 hour ago, mtnbikeracer said:

Are those lights Kessel?

Yep I bought 3 A160we to mount between some T5 for a 225 gallon tank I am having resealed. And that build is going to be months before it gets wet so I figured I would throw 2 on here and see what I think.

[ccejka]

Tank update still havent found a filter that I like the way it looks! 

[ccejka]

Battled high phosphates but have won that war for now add a BRS reactor with a GFO and Carbon mix... but I have started another build....

 

it's a few more gallons.. Looking around 265 totally system volume.