BlackSpark's RSM650

Thanks @ toolboysa.

Temp on heater is set to 24 degC. If I lower the temp then i might run the risk of being too low...let me measure it again in the morning as there is some influence from the lights and the wall.

Refresh my memory as to how I increase Alk and whether it is safe to just add salt to the tank / sump tp bring the salinity up to 1.026.

After 7yrs of absence these things are a bit hazy! :blush:
 
Alk buffer. Lots if brands available. I would recommend looking at powder additives and make stock solutions works out cheaper on big tanks

No problem in adding salt to your tank just do it slowly and with small amounts at a time you dont want to over do it

Temp is most likely from air temp surrounding the tank and from the lights. I use a small pc type fan blowing across the water surface and works brilliantly at keeping temps down
 
Thanks for the advice.

I think the chiller is more appropriate as I have space for it and the area the tank is located in seems to get hot for half the day not to mention the heat generated from the lighting!

I added some salt mix today so lets see where we stand by tomorrow @ 4pm. Nitrate is still a little high but I guess one can never have 0...
 
If you can go for a chiller do it. It is the ultimate. If you want to keep softies the nitrate are fine as they will like that. If system is to clean softies struggle.
 
Your dog does not seem very impressed that your attention is not on him/her :lol:
Nice scape, the little curved piece in the front is interesting.
Yeah, a chiller is a must, rather get it before adding any livestock as the temps can go well over 30dc with the lights running.

Let me know how you find the miracle mud, I have read very mixed reviews over it.
 
tekkengal said:
Your dog does not seem very impressed that your attention is not on him/her :lol:
Nice scape, the little curved piece in the front is interesting.
Yeah, a chiller is a must, rather get it before adding any livestock as the temps can go well over 30dc with the lights running.

Let me know how you find the miracle mud, I have read very mixed reviews over it.
Click to expand...

Yeah is giving me the evil eye with the following thought in his mind "Daddy you are cheating on me!"
 
Ok so here are todays readings...Alkalinity dropped a bit, but I attribute that to possibly the temperature increase.

2 Jan 2014
Temp: 31.1 - a chiller is definitely required!! Will get one in a few days.
pH: 8.2
Alkalinity: 6
SG: 1.024
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 2.0
Ammonia: 0


Tomorrow the Teco chiller arrives :thumbup:

A baby Bristleworm has been busy in the tank...as I wanted to take a pic he decided to dive into the rock :(

Based on that it seems as if my tank cycle is maturing well.
 
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3 Jan 2014
Temp: 31 - a chiller is definitely required!! Will get one in a few days.
pH: 8.2
Alkalinity: 6
SG: 1.024
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 2.0
Ammonia: 0
Magnesium: 1200
Calcium: 420

4 Jan 2014
Temp: 31.4 - a chiller is definitely required!! Will get one in a few days.
pH: 8.2
Alkalinity: 5
SG: 1.025
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 2.0
Ammonia: 0
Magnesium: 1200
Calcium: 390

I have used some Red Sea Reef Foundation ABC+ to beef up the parameters a little. Will see what 5 Jan's readings reveal.
 
Thread looks boring right now but like @ Tekkengal the mini series is a slow process :p

Good news is I have some better quality LR and Live sand on the way which I will add to the sump. Chiller has arrived but have encountered some plumbing issues which will hopefully be sorted out by Thursday latest.
 
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:lol::lol::lol:
Also on a mid season break?

Which ABC product are you using? The liquid or the powder?
 
I'm a Red Sea fangirl, I have that as well as the individual ABC products :lol:
It is an awesome product but you should only use it when you have coral as it has trace elements to help boost a corals growth. ;)
A mistake that I made was mixing it with RO and then dosing, you need to add it directly to the sump, just incase you were not aware of it (I don't want you to end up with snow storms in your tank!) ;)
 
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