my tank journal thread (biocube HQI)

[MPevine11]

Here i am going to post updates and water test parameters, also any other information and pictures/videos as well

its more or less a progression thread
​

Tank: 29g biocube HQI
Lighting: 150w phenoix 14k Metal halide, 2 Stunner led's for where the back wall was to light up back there
Skimmer: Tunze Nano DOC 9002
sump/Fuge: Custom made from lifereef.com
*Controller: None yet...... (APEX coming very soon!)
*Top Off: done by hand, hopefully a Tunze Osmolator soon
Heater: Fluval E-200 watt
Cooling method: AC in room (in summer), also modding 2 fans into the stock hood
water circulation: Vortech MP10 @ 80% on reef crest random, korallia nano 425 in refugium, Mag5 (return water from the sump/fuge back to tank)
tank Birthday: 05/14/2010
Refugium birthday: 8/12/2010
Carbon/GFO reactor 9/23/2010

testing results from September 25th, 2011

CA= 400 mg/lt
KH= 5 dkh
MG= =1350 ppm
Temp 83

IDEAL:
Calcium = 380-450 ppm
Alkalinity = 7-11 dKH
Magnesium = 1250-1350 ppm
temp 78​

up coming plans:
mod a fan kit into the hood:
http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-74/92mm-Vantec-Stealth-Fan/Detail

DIY Leds for refugium? (still need to reed up if leds are good for cheato)




pictures from September 25th, 2011

VIDEO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgJbVoJCqe8​

 

[pallobi]

very cool

 

[MPevine11]

thank you Pallobi much appreciated




few more pics for today before i test the Cal, Alk and Mag

new wrase

hard to see but alot of new groth (im not sure if they are heads, or like branches but alot of new ones comming in)

B&W (girlfriend left my camera on black and white so i figured i'd try it out)

corals on the left side of the tank

couple frags i glued on the right side of the tank

test results coming soon.............

 

[MPevine11]

testing results from September 27th, 2011
(2 days after waterchange)


CA= 400 mg/lt
KH= 5 dkh
MG= = 1350 ppm
Temp 79


IDEAL:
Calcium = 420 ppm
Alkalinity = 9 dKH
Magnesium = 1350 ppm
temp 78


apparently the water-changes don't make the levels fluctuate?

*Current Calcium Level: 400 ppm
*Desired Calcium Level: 420 ppm

Need: 96.2 ml; 3.2 fl oz; 19.2 tsp


*Current Alkalinity Level: 5
*Desired Alkalinity Level: 9

Need: 134.2 ml; 4.5 fl oz; 26.8 tsp​

raising ALK from now to Friday, dose 22ML in the morning and at night Wednesday, Thursday, and one more dose friday morning, and i will see where i am after that

 

[stingythingy45]

Odd how your KH is only 5.
Usually things even out close to normal after a water change.
Especially with a tank with not a lot of water volume.

 

[MPevine11]

total water volume is ~47 gallons. im useing (Coral Pro Salt)


says on bucket
"ca-450, MG 1340, ALK/KH 4.3/12.2"
could that be the reason for only being 5?

 

[sutton6989]

well if u have 5alk then it will be at around 14 DKH what are u testing alk or DKH if its 5 alk then its a little high 8-11 is what i like to keep mine

 

[MPevine11]

im using the elos test kit...and its reading 5

 

[sutton6989]

for what alk or DKH

 

[MPevine11]

Alk .

 

[sutton6989]

alright well a range for alk is 2.8 to 3.9 alk. which is 8 DKH to 11 DKH. if you have a reading of 5 alk is equal to 14 DKH which is too high

 

[Skeeter7424]

what is the salinity of the tank?

jordan

 

[MPevine11]

1.026

 

[stingythingy45]

Elos Alk is in DKH.
It takes two drops to equal 1 dkh.
So is it 10 drops before color change?If so your alk is 5 dkh.
Pretty simple test kit.


What's 5 "alk" anyways?

I only know dkh,meq/l and PPM.There is no measurement I know that is simply"alk".

http://saltyzoo.com/SaltyCalcs/AlkConv.php

 

[stingythingy45]

total water volume is ~47 gallons. im useing (Coral Pro Salt)


says on bucket
"ca-450, MG 1340, ALK/KH 4.3/12.2"
could that be the reason for only being 5?

Easy

4.3 meq/l =12.4 DKH.
So the salt mix "should have" that amount of alk in there.
Not sure why this mix would have elevated alk like that.

 

[jamesdong009]

Are you using a hydrometer or refractometer to measure salinity? I've noticed changes in alkalinity from salinity measurements of 1.024 - 1.026.

If your using the Red Sea Coral Pro Salt, they claim to have a 12.2 dKh for alkalinity.

well if u have 5alk then it will be at around 14 DKH what are u testing alk or DKH if its 5 alk then its a little high 8-11 is what i like to keep mine

for what alk or DKH

alright well a range for alk is 2.8 to 3.9 alk. which is 8 DKH to 11 DKH. if you have a reading of 5 alk is equal to 14 DKH which is too high

Your commments about alkalinity do not make sense at all. Alkalinity can be measure in units of mEq/L, dKh, or ppm.

 

[sutton6989]

sorry ill clarify what i was trying to get at. 5 mEq/L is = to 14 DKH

what i was getting at is that if he was testing for alk in DKH measure or if he was testing for alk using mEq/l measure

sorry for the mix up.

 

[MPevine11]

i am using a refractometer to measure saltanity

 

[newenglandreef]

I love the externally-mounted reactor. Great way to use small space while keeping a clean look.

 

[MPevine11]

thank you newenglandreef