Tom's 75 reef build

[TommyP]

The timers I have go by the minute. I just figured dripping for 15 minutes or so here and there was okay. I can set up to 7 different timers

 

[lnevo]

It's not going to make or break but if you want stability you need to find your maintenance dose amount and set your doser accordingly. You also need to calibrate your dosers to see how much they dose. For instance the BRS dosers are advertised at 1.1ml/minute. When I measured mine and then recalculated after a month of usage they dose at 1.28ml/min and 1.22ml/min respectively.

If we look at your 60 minute plan you could be getting anywhere from 66ml to 76.8ml which are both a far cry from the 60 target you have. Thats definitely not the way to be stable,

Once you know your dosage and rate from each of your dosers then you can decide how many intervals you'd need to get an even dosage and correct amount since you only have control by the minute.

In comparison, i have my dosers set for 43ml which right now is 84 seconds of calcium x 24 (33.6 minutes a day) and 87 seconds of alk x 24 (34.8 minutes a day)

 

[TommyP]

Ok I get it. Now, if I dose only alk and not calcium is that an issue? Even though my calcium is ok?

 

[lnevo]

If you are getting levels to the right point then no need to dose calc yet. However once you get to maintenance mode I would dose both in even amounts. Coral uses alk and calcium in even amounts, however keep this ration in mind... For every 1 meq/L of alk corals will consume 20ppm of calcium. It is much easier to measure change in alk because it appears to drop much faster and the standard error in test kits won't see the same huge drop in calcium but they are used evenly.

 

[TommyP]

Ok thanks for the ratio! You're always a big help can always count on you.

 

[lnevo]

Just to add that 1meq/L is 2.8dkh!!! Thats why its best to measure over at least a week to see calcium change enough to see.

 

[TommyP]

Ok

 

[TommyP]

Alk is at 8.1 rn

 

[lnevo]

What would you estimate your total water volume? Also what additive are you using?

 

[TommyP]

I can't tell 100%. I have a 20l as a sump and 75dt. I would assume around 60g. Brs 2 part

 

[TommyP]

 

[lnevo]

I meant which alk/cal additive...i guess BRS

 

[TommyP]

Some recent shots

 

[TommyP]

Yeah lol I edited it after I realized

 

[TommyP]

Finally got my alk to where I want it now just have to monitor this time next week and see where it's at make sure it's around 9. I didn't dose calcium why is it so high? I did a water change yest.

I've been using this to check my pH

 

[rideit6578]

Nice lookin favia dude, some good color in those pics! see any results now that the alk is fixed?

 

[TommyP]

Not a whole difference yet a little too soon to tell I think but that's the goal! Hope to see some good growth now that everything is where it's supposed to be.

 

[TommyP]

Test results:


Everything is looking good no declines but no improvements yet.

Water change tomorrow. By the way, Lets Go Rangers!

 

[lnevo]

Alks getting high no? What level are you shooting for?

 

[TommyP]

It is a little high, I'm shooting to keep it around 10