|
09/19/2017, 01:01 PM | #1 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 131
|
API MasterReef Test Kit
I bought a MasterReef test kit in addition to my Saltwater test kit last night. Wanted to provide my parameters to see how I'm looking so far!
PH: 8.0 Ammonia: 0ppm NitrItes: 0ppm NitrAtes: 5.0ppm Calcium: 420ppm KH: 196.9ppm Phosphates: 0.25ppm Salinity: 1.025 Are there any other parameters I should be testing for? I'm still going through a Diatom bloom and haven't added anything to my tank as of yet. Was planning on going Thursday to buy my CUC. Any advice is appreciated!
__________________
30Gallon Marineland Half-Moon Rimless Saltwater (Started cycling 9-1-17) Currently 25lbs Liverock. 40lbs CaribSea Fiji Pink Aragonite. ReefOctopus BH100F Skimmer |
09/19/2017, 01:14 PM | #2 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Central Nebraska
Posts: 3,190
|
Quote:
__________________
Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers |
|
09/19/2017, 01:59 PM | #3 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 131
|
Indeed it does! And I'm happy to hear that ALMOST, everything is where it should be. Although, I do not have a sump, only HOB skimmer. Would it be beneficial, or even possible, to have a HOB refugium? Possibly a simple AquaClear HOB filter? Because I have one of those laying around. Also, when would be a good time for a WC? I plan on doing 5 gallon WC's since I have a 30g halfmoon. And how often would be good for WC's?
__________________
30Gallon Marineland Half-Moon Rimless Saltwater (Started cycling 9-1-17) Currently 25lbs Liverock. 40lbs CaribSea Fiji Pink Aragonite. ReefOctopus BH100F Skimmer |
09/19/2017, 02:39 PM | #4 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 340
|
you could do a refugium with an aquaclear HOB, I've done it before. I even cut a hole in the top cover to allow an LED light to fixed to it and grow chaeto of course this was before algae reactors were a thing
would it be beneficial? that depends on what you want it for...if you want if for pod population then yes, if you want in order to grow chaeto for nutrient control then I would opt for an algae reactor over a refugium If you haven't done a water change yet then I would do one now or in the next few days then get yourself on a bi-weekly schedule. 5 gallons is a 16% water change so you could get away with every other week or at least start with that and as you add to the bioload monitor your phosphates and nitrates and if needed increase your water changes to every week. |
09/19/2017, 03:51 PM | #5 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Central Nebraska
Posts: 3,190
|
I agree with tjm about the fuge. It depends on what you want to accomplish.
In a 30 gallon tank, I probably wouldn't mess with non-essential equipment. Just lights, a heater, powerheads, and rock/sand. 5 gallons water changes either once a week or every two weeks, based N and P levels.
__________________
Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers |
09/19/2017, 04:02 PM | #6 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 20,050
|
Quote:
__________________
Who me? |
|
09/19/2017, 04:04 PM | #7 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 131
|
Quote:
__________________
30Gallon Marineland Half-Moon Rimless Saltwater (Started cycling 9-1-17) Currently 25lbs Liverock. 40lbs CaribSea Fiji Pink Aragonite. ReefOctopus BH100F Skimmer |
|
09/19/2017, 04:51 PM | #8 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 20,050
|
I used that ATO for 5+ years.. worked perfect..
Its about as simple as it can get but it does lack some "extra" redundancy features that a reef controller or better unit would have (running timeout,etc..)
__________________
Who me? |
09/19/2017, 05:07 PM | #9 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 294
|
When time and money allows, put a RODI unit on your shopping list. That way your not at the mercy of the LFS when you need water and you have the ability to make and store RODI water for routine changes and emergencies.
|
09/19/2017, 05:18 PM | #10 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Oklahoma City
Posts: 1,054
|
Magnesium.
__________________
"You Can Lead A Gift Horse To Water... But You Can't Make Him Look In Your Mouth." Current Tank Info: 65g Mixed Reef Display - 15g Macro Algae/Refugium - 40b Sump |
09/19/2017, 05:19 PM | #11 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 20,050
|
Once water changes aren't sufficient to maintain cal/alk then yes a mag test is good to have..
__________________
Who me? |
09/19/2017, 06:27 PM | #12 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 131
|
Quote:
__________________
30Gallon Marineland Half-Moon Rimless Saltwater (Started cycling 9-1-17) Currently 25lbs Liverock. 40lbs CaribSea Fiji Pink Aragonite. ReefOctopus BH100F Skimmer |
|
09/19/2017, 06:29 PM | #13 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 131
|
Quote:
__________________
30Gallon Marineland Half-Moon Rimless Saltwater (Started cycling 9-1-17) Currently 25lbs Liverock. 40lbs CaribSea Fiji Pink Aragonite. ReefOctopus BH100F Skimmer |
|
09/19/2017, 07:18 PM | #14 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 294
|
A lot depends on the quality of the water your starting with and the production rate your looking to get. A unit with a second DI chamber will help produce water with the lowest TDS and make the best use of the DI resin. Have a water sample done of your water to see what the TDS level your starting off with and consult with one of the RODI vendors for a suggestion on which unit works best for you. The good thing is that the majority of the RODI systems allow for expansion so even if you started with a 4 stage you could always add additional chambers to make it a 5 or 6 stage. Invest in a decent unit and try to stay away from the economy units the chain stores sell.
|
09/20/2017, 04:17 AM | #15 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 20,050
|
Quote:
Size of storage tank should be enough that you don't need to fill it up that often yet if the pump happens to stick on its not enough water to overflow your tank or change salinity drastically.. Something that holds a couple gallons (2-3) is probably fine for you.. That should last a week or so..
__________________
Who me? |
|
09/20/2017, 11:00 AM | #16 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 131
|
Quote:
__________________
30Gallon Marineland Half-Moon Rimless Saltwater (Started cycling 9-1-17) Currently 25lbs Liverock. 40lbs CaribSea Fiji Pink Aragonite. ReefOctopus BH100F Skimmer |
|
09/20/2017, 10:22 PM | #17 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Whitehall ohio
Posts: 219
|
Forgive me if I missed it but you probably want to test your magniesium also
|
09/21/2017, 04:51 AM | #18 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 20,050
|
Quote:
__________________
Who me? |
|
Thread Tools | |
|
|