fort's 57 gallon Rimless Reef Build

[Ziggy953]

After you test your tank can you post the results? I'm curious as to what your levels are.

I'm having an issue with keeping my PH up. First time I've ever battled a PH problem. I'm going to start adding Kalk to my topoff water and see if that drives the PH back up. I have all ideas that some of my issues, which are minor, are attributed to the lower than normal PH.

[fort384]

Originally Posted by Coel

Maybe I scrolled too fast but what lens and camera are you using those pictures are stunning. Also if you don't mind can you tell me your exact picture spec? Like f stop and lighting etc? I gave up after a bit trying and really want to give it another go

It is a canon t3 with a 60mm f/2.0 Tamron lens.

These were shot in manual with ISO 100, and a custom white balance. The f#s ranged from 2 all the way up to 20 depending on the DOF I was trying to achieve and the shutter speed was set based on the desired exposure at the f stop I selected. It varied from 1/80 all the way up to 15".

[fort384]

Originally Posted by Ziggy953

After you test your tank can you post the results? I'm curious as to what your levels are.

I'm having an issue with keeping my PH up. First time I've ever battled a PH problem. I'm going to start adding Kalk to my topoff water and see if that drives the PH back up. I have all ideas that some of my issues, which are minor, are attributed to the lower than normal PH.

Will do. It will be late this afternoon.

[Coel]

Originally Posted by fort384

It is a canon t3 with a 60mm f/2.0 Tamron lens.

These were shot in manual with ISO 100, and a custom whit balance. The f#s ranged from 2 all the way up to 20 depending on the DOF I was trying to achieve and the shutter speed was set based on the desired exposure at the f stop I selected. It varied from 1/80 all the way up to 15".

Thank you ill have to give it a to then ill be using a t1i and an old school canon mark 1 50mm f1.8

[fort384]

The key is low ISO and getting the WB correct.


Once you have that you can get the best results from playing with f stop and exposure. Also using a tripod and turning off all pumps is a must IMO. Once I did these things at the advice of others the results were night and day.

[Coel]

Thanks I look forward to figuring it out, having a starting point is going to be most helpful.

[fort384]

Ok, today's test results:

SG: 1025
pH: 8.5
KH: 9.8
Ca: 425
Mg: 1480
NO3: 0
PO4: 0.11


My PO4 has been creeping up lately. Over the last 4 weeks it has gone from 0, to 0.02, to .08, and now 0.11. I have been feeding the tank more than usual since the rise started, and I started feeding reef chili for coral as well, so I am guessing that is the culprit. I am going to try and take it easy on feeding this week and see if it goes back down. If not, I suppose I will need to start looking to GFO, unless anyone else has any ideas.

KH and Ca have remained exactly constant since I added the autodoser. It used to swing widely prior to that.

[fort384]

I forgot I had some fluval Phosphate Remover, which appears to be granular ferric oxide laying around so I just added some to my reactor with ROX carbon. That ought to bring it down this week.

[Ziggy953]

Thanks for posting your results!

[fort384]

Some updated photos from around the tank tonight:

[jjamontan]

You took some very nice photos.

[fort384]

Thanks! I don't think they turned out as nicely as the last batch but there are some keepers in there.

[crobo]

what camera/lens are you using? Those are some crazy macro shots through the glass.

[fort384]

It is a canon EOS rebel t3 with a Tamron 60mm f/2.0 macro lens.

[Bearchumjs]

If you ever frag that yellow ricordia I want a piece of it!

[Ziggy953]

Looking good!!

[CorallineAlgae]

Killer pics! Camera and tank envy setting in. lol

[Qube]

Looking really nice Fort!!

[fort384]

Forgot my other acans:



And, picked up a new frag today - an aussie blasto. Hopefully I can keep it alive .

[fort384]

Some new pics from today:











And my new addition, an Aussie Scolymia: