It's so on now - 72g Reef build

[neilanh]

I can get you the part number, just need to open it up.

Few new acquisitions today from Fins & Feathers.

"Burning Smurf" Rhodactis


Acro:


Green People Eaters:

[ryshark]

cool new pieces. I decided I wanted to get some cool zoas/palys just recently too. I was going to get the purple people eater but decided on Candy Apple Reds and Devils Armor instead. I like your green people eaters, I will have to look into getting those too

[neilanh]

So, for a number of reasons, decided to try out the lab grade testing services of aquariumwatertesting.com. My tanks really starting to get into it's own, and I wanted to see what the whole spectrum of tests said. I've always been curious about accuracy of our hobby grade test kits, etc.

So, i found last week my Ca, Alk, and Mag were low. The test results just confirmed this, but gave me confidence in the test kits I have. While these results are a bit lower than what I tested, they're still pretty much in the ballpark.

The silicates were a surprise. Not sure what to do about that - ideas?

The nitrAte was a huge surprise, a good one tho!

here's what I got.

Ammonia (NH3-4) ........................Good ......................................... 0.007
Nitrite (NO2)................................Good ......................................... 0.001
Nitrate (NO3)...............................Good .............................................0.3
Phosphate (PO4) ..........................Good ........................................... 0.03
Silica (SiO2-3) ............................. High.............................................. 0.9
Potassium (K) ...............................Low................ ............................. 294
Calcium (Ca).................................Low.......... ................................... 333
Boron (B) ....................................Good .............................................3.1
Molybdenum (Mo).........................Good .............................................0.1
Strontium (Sr) .............................Good .............................................8.4
Magnesium (Mg) ...........................Low.................... ......................... 998
Iodine (I¯)...................................Good ........................................... 0.05
Copper (Cu++) ............................Good ........................................... 0.02
Alkalinity (meq/L)..........................Low................... ......................... 1.99

For Reference, I mailed the water tests out on my lunch break on Tuesday. Results were returned today (thursday). Pretty good turnaround.

[neilanh]

Mmmm, Seaweed (use homer's voice, its funnier that way)

[neilanh]

So, I've been dosing 2-part for a while now, and I'm actually seeing good results. Corals are brighter, coralline is growing faster (which has pros and cons of it's own), but there's a downside. The dosing. I hate it, I really do. Some days I forget, sometimes I'll dose 1 of the elements then go to do the second and forget which one I already did. etc etc. Anyways, on my FW Planted tank, I setup autodosers for ferts. It seems like it took me way to long to get to this point on this tank.

Last week I ordered pumps from ReefChili (aka BRS) on ebay. I bought 2 of the 1.2ml/min barebones pumps. Got them in, wired up a plug and did some testing. We're all set to go.

Here's the pumps on my "mounting plate." I had extra egg crate laying around, it worked well, so why not use it.


I drilled 4 holes into one of the support 2x4s in the stand, and used zip ties to hold it in place.


This is the same timer I use for my planted tank's dosers. 2 outlet digital timer with 1 minute resolution. It allows for 8 separate programs, too. This allows me to dose in increments throughout the day, instead of all at once.


Here's the pumps all plumbed in


Here's the whole system. 2-part jugs at the bottom, pumps on top right, and you can follow the tubing to the outlets


And finally, the outlets. These drip at a little less than 1 drip per second


Here's a little 12-second preview of the system running. I don't know how to embed video, so you'll just have to use the link. 19.5M
Dosing Video

[neilanh]

Few new things today

Miami Hurricane Chalice


A new clam


Here's the new guy with the other 2


Also, my clowns decided to lay eggs today

[InfernoST]

That's good stuff, looks great. I thought clowns lay their eggs at the base of an anemone for protection?

[jessicasmarine]

So, the green spots are eggs? Nice Clams

[neilanh]

as promised

[neilanh]

My new bulbs came in today. Rather than double post, just check here
New Bulbs - 175W Iwasaki 15000K

I'm excited!