Tank Stability

[invincible569]

It has been MONTHS (6+?) since I last seen RTN or any type of unusual Tissue Necrosis in my aquarium. I remember before it was always a week here a week there or a month later that some problem would creep up on a coral. Now, I dont remember when the last time I had a SPS problem in my tank. Anything that I put in my tank has lived and thrived. I can sleep good at night knowing that the next morning my corals will still be here. Why is it that my tank is doing so well? I have been testing Alk for a while now and it has not changed from the usual 8 for months. Is having Alk stable the key to thriving SPS? I know husbandry is also another key.. but lets say we all do a great job caring for our corals and we give them the best environment to live in. Since day one, I have been a very disciplined person when it comes to caring for my tank even before ZEOvit. Anyone care to comment?

[Diesel3443]

Edward, I completly agree with Alk being stable. I believe it is one of the most important factors if not the most important factors in keeping SPS. You all know my errors when it comes to alk RTN STN you name it I have been dealing with it. I have only had a reactor up and running for 3 days---its been pretty dialed in due to a nifty calculator I found---and I already notice a differece in coral health. Tissue regrowing ect. I also started to use NSW again for water changes instead of oceanic(thought this might be interesting, considering this is what we are shooting for), this may also be helping.

[Aged Salt]

Edward, I agree as you've mentioned, with SPS corals especially, Stable Parameters is the Solution[SPS] With the ZEOvit method, using constant, repeatable components for nutrients reduction in a balanced manner certainly lends itself toward stability. Also I find when we keep our parameters near NSW, it is easier to maintain these within a narrow margin of change. Bob

[naka]

How do everyone keep their Alk level so constant? CA reactor? I guess I need to adjust my reactor b/c if I don't add Reef Builder my alk drops.

[Aged Salt]

Hi James, for me the answer took some time, while I was experiementing with different salt mixes. With straight Oceanic, my Ca was too high & KH bordered on the low side, 6.5. For my system with my dual Ca Rx, the solution was to use two salts--70% Oceanic & 30% TM or AM. This seemed to keep the parameters perfectly. with my KH at 8, Ca 440 & Mg 1300. So, it's a balance of one's salt with one's Ca Rx for the stabilty we all seek. Bob

[invincible569]

How do everyone keep their Alk level so constant? CA reactor? I guess I need to adjust my reactor b/c if I don't add Reef Builder my alk drops.

Before when I was running my Alk at 11-13, my Alk would fluctuate over the course of a couple days. Ever since i went down to 8, it was so much easier to maintain. I use a Korallin Ca Reactor and it was hard to tune in the beginning. Now it feels like i mastered it and i dont count how many drips, but instead let me PH Controller handle the PH from the effluent of my Ca chamber. I like to do a continuous drip, but as long as my Ca effluent was 6.5, my Alk always remained at 8 for my main tank. Another key is to check your salt levels and level before changing your water on the new water.

[naka]

I just switched to TM salt. I'm going to test it before doing wc.

Thanks,

[naka]

I just tested the new saltwater using TM mixed overnight.
ca - 440
alk - 8.0

My tank water
ca - 450
alk - 8.3

Now I'm going to mess w/ my ca reactor to keep my water parameter stable. Edward, if my alk drops constantly, do I increase the drip rate or decrease it? My Ca effluent is set at 6.5 using ph controller.

Thanks,

[mshur]

naka,
i am using tm pro reef and my alkkeep stable at 8.0-8.3
if ur alk keep droping u have to increase drop rates..but keep ur eye on it))

mike

[7thheaven]

naka~ Do you test MG?

I will use TM pro salt from this week water change instread of RC salt.

RC salt has problem with low MG level.

[Diesel3443]

With a reactor, Ca gets supplemented in a balanced fashion correct? If your alk is 8dkh your Ca will be balanced withit correct?

[naka]

Thanks mshur, I'll keep my eyes on the alk level. Vince, mg 1300. I never had any problem of mg being too low.

Thanks,

[7thheaven]

Thanks mshur, I'll keep my eyes on the alk level. Vince, mg 1300. I never had any problem of mg being too low.

Thanks,

Thanks..

The level of CA,KH,MG in TM pro is not bad for zeovit tank. Isn't it?

[invincible569]

Edward, if my alk drops constantly, do I increase the drip rate or decrease it? My Ca effluent is set at 6.5 using ph controller.

Thanks,

Increase your drip rate and test daily. You may also need to lower your PH to 6.4 or less.

[nyfireman3097]

hey diesel hows the tank doin now that u have the CR hooked up ?
Nick