90 Prop, finally running/Hanna questions.

[CAReefer]

Well, finally got the 90 plumbed and running. What will this do to my dosing? Went from 250 net to 340 gallons. But no bio load so to speak from this prop tank. Basically I increased all by 2 drops. Leaving the same amount of Zeo rocks. 3 days ago I tested at .02 hanna. This morning .09??? I did notice several little "micro bubbles" on the sides of the cuvette. According to the destructions, this will influence results. Can someone explain how to use the cleaning solution? Is it just a rinse? can the cuvettes be stored in a RO/DI cleaning mixture? Anyway, on to the pics.



Disregard the wet spot under the pump. I had a slight leak at the union and had to drain the line to seal. Least I didn't have to sleep in it, this time.

[Ger]

Can't help you with the Hanna question, I haven't even unpacked mine, yet. Just thought I'd give it a quick bump and say nice frag tank...

[scottw]

If you added a full 90 gallons I would go with 3 drops of bac/food go with 9/10 of the bag of lith, and add 1.0ml of start2 to what you already dose.

Bob do you agree?

[scottw]

ps. yes its just a rinse.. Fill cuvettes 1/2 full shake well, then rinse with ro/di water, once done wash out with ro/di and store with ro/di, as Hanna told me to do this.

[Aged Salt]

Hi Marshal, although I have the cleaning solution, I have not yet used it, as I clean the curvette with & store with RODI water. Be sure to cap with the transparent lid & clean & dry the black curvette screw lid thoroughly before storage. I also rinse the curvette several X's with RODI water before retesting each time.
I believe your zeolites should be the same quantity as before. The additional 2 drops each is fine & just adjust according to your visual cues & Hanna readings. Bob

[Aged Salt]

Sorry Scott, I didn't see your post before my reply. If Marshal has difficulty reducing his Hanna's, ie. if he needs to continue to use larger doses of zeo's will some resultant darkening of his corals, then additional stones would solve this problem & allow lesser zeo-quantities. Bob

[CAReefer]

Thanks all, I restested last night using the other cuvette and got .00 go figure. I will retest again tonight or tomorrow. As previously mentioned, I did notice alot of bubbles on the walls of the inside of the cuvette. I haven't been storing with water in them, but I will start. I didn't keep the clear plastic caps, honestly I pretty well destroyed them trying to get them out. I will leaving dosing status quo for now until I get an average P04 reading over a few days with both cuvettes. Thanks for all the help.

Marshal

[G.Alexander]

As previously mentioned, I did notice alot of bubbles on the walls of the inside of the cuvette. I haven't been storing with water in them, but I will start. I didn't keep the clear plastic caps, honestly I pretty well destroyed them trying to get them out. I will leaving dosing status quo for now until I get an average P04 reading over a few days with both cuvettes.

Marshal, as the Hanna is working optical, every patchy film or air bubbles can tamper the reading. You calibrate the meter to zero which is necessary to adjust the actual discolouring of the water sample and the cuvette. If this discolouring stays the same while your measure, you will get exact readings. If the patchy film or the air bubbles are present, it is possible, while you screw in the cuvette, they are in front of the sensor, which was not the case while you calibrated the meter. I always hold the cuvette horizontal and turn it for some seconds. This will eliminate the bubbles.

I have had the same problem with the cap and have used some fine sandpaper to make the caps diameter a little bit smaller.

G.Alexander

[CAReefer]

Thanks Alexander, I didn't keep the plastic caps as I said I destroyed them. If I lay the sample/cuvette to far horizontially, it leaks. I tested again this morning with the 2nd cuvette and once again got a reading of .00. I guess it is so. Since P04 is at .00, I would have to assume the chaeto in the prop tank and the plating type of algae in the display continue to grow are using up what P04 is added through feeding and CR effluent. Theoretically, if I were to get out as much of the nusiance algae as possible, it shouldn't grow back?

Marshal

ps I have stopped dosing Start2 for now, upped the AAHC and PIF by a few drops. Most of the blues are still pretty washed out, but the greens are brilliant with no hint of yellow. Maybe a good time to add the ME and CV.

[Aged Salt]

Hi Marshal, just an FYI, I'd recomend that you continue dosing Start2 at 1-2 drops 2x's/day as it contains elements that are helpful for the coral's color & health. Also by keeping your nutrients low, your algae growth will eventually starve itself, Bob

[G.Alexander]

Marshal while you have damaged the cap I am sure you press your finger on the curvette while you shake it to dissolve the chemicals. Please remember our skin surface will leach PO4 in the water sample and you will not get a correct reading. I would contact Hanna to replace the cap, because it can not be used as it should be.

With the dosage I would agree with Bob totally. I would also not recommend to stop ZeoStart completely, just some drops daily.

G.Alexander

[CAReefer]

Thanks Bob and Alexander. I have been using the black cap that goes into the meter, and just swirling the sample to mix the reagents. I ought to be able to find some type of inert stopper without having to order from hanna. Do you leave the plastic cap on when actually taking the sample in the meter? I will stay with a couple drops a day of the Start2. Now I need to find my micro bubble issue that just came up. Checked intake side of pump, but no obvious leaks, hmmmmmmmm.

[OUinLA]

marshal, I lost my clear caps also. I just use the black plastic cap and it seems to be fine.

[CAReefer]

Cool, thanks Madison. What's up with your tank? I saw yesterday you were having some type of crash. Everything ok today? I hope things settled down.

[Aged Salt]

Hi Marshal, I only clear cap the curvette when storing. I mix the reagent with the black cap screwed on until all crystals are dissolved[~2 min.]. The clear cap is not necessary --it just prevents spillage if the carrying case is tipped over. Bob