Took some tank shots tonight. Enjoy.

Changed 3 gallons of water today, blew off LR, sucked out some hair algae, and replaced the MJ 600 powerhead used for the carbon reactor which is making the rattling noise with a MJ 900 powerhead.

In addition, moved the Green Bird’s Nest Acro to the bottom of tank to help it with having too much light near the top, and glued the ORA Oregon Blue Tort Acro and ORA Roscoe’s Blue Acro to their new homes on the LR. The Green Bush Acro does not look like it is going to survive for some reason.

I had another good time at the TBRC meeting and it is a step outside my normal routine to do any activities outside my normal stay at home routine. Debbie had two wonderful tanks, one fish only 650 and another mixed reef 350 with the largest toadstool leather I have every seen. Next time I need to bring my camera.

Learned a new trick. Use a MJ 400 to blow off your rocks using your thumb to “throttle” the flow. Which has me thinking… Is there a portable powered mini vacuum to use to spot siphon hair algae or anything else you would like?

Tank Shot as of today:

Installed unit today along with lunar module with three pods. The following link is my set up along with configurations:
RKE Configuration (MS Word Document)

Also added another 6025 Tunze to create alternating currents. Will be adding one or two more which I also bought today. Getting tank ready to host SPS corals.

I am including a log to my mixed reef which I use to track everything for my tank:
Reef Aquarium Analysis Log (MS Excel Document)

Installed the following yesterday and today:

• External Air Pump outside house which is connected to air stone and skimmer air intake which was already taking air externally. Fighting low pH with high inside CO2 (need look at addressing for the humans)
• Installed Nova Extreme Pro T5 Fixtures 20 inch (6x18w — 108 watt)

Picture of what I have done to bring in external air through wall to my 24 gal mixed reef. Had to drill hole as external wall is a slab of concrete and did not want to run an airline out a window:

1. Airline #1 from external air pump to air stone in back sump.
2. Airline #2 from external air pump to air stone in back sump.
3. Airline #3 to skimmer.

You can also see an airline coming from reservoir to ATO delivering Kalk.

This has resolved my low pH of 7.6 allowing consistent range of 7.9 – 8.1. Bubbling a water sample outside confirmed it was internal CO2 issue once A/C unit stopped operating in house when temps dropped into 70s here in Florida. When I bubbled it for a few minutes, I was able to raise pH to 8.2 in the sample.

It was trial and error to come up with the above solution as I first tried to resolve with Kalk only which only made minor improvement. Then an airline from skimmer to outside which was followed by airline from external air pump to skimmer and air stone which raised to acceptable range. Found too much air to skimmer so came up with above configuration.

Additional Note: The clear airlines are to two pressure level controllers which cuts the ATO off (one is a redundant in case first fails).

In this photo, you can see how much the low pH swings have upset my hammer and my bright green coraline algae is almost gone.

Ordered one this week and should receive Tuesday. Started using Kalk water as top off.

Made some upgrades to the aquarium this month:

• Started using a Finnex HMD-100 Titanium Digital Control Heater.
• Installed two Media Reactors (TLF Phosban Reactor 150) which will be running PhosBan media and the other charcoal media.
  Kent Marine AquaDose
• Finally found a Calcium test kit which I can actually tell the color change as I have a difficult time with both Aquarium Pharmaceuticals and Salifert Test Kits. The Hagen Calcium Test Kit for Fresh & Saltwater did the trick for me.
• TLF NanoMag Magnetic Glass Cleaning Device – Works great

Appears nitrogen cycle for initial set up has completed as all at zero readings. Started protein skimmer.

Set up today with 25 lbs live rock and live sand. System is 24 gallon mini-reef system with built in skimmer, filtration, and pump.

Description: Designed with professionally beveled glass, the unique shape is bent to enhance the view from all angles and creates an eye-catching addition to your home or office. A completely hidden filtration system makes keeping fish easy – and keeps your critters and family happy.

Cardiff Features:
A complete filtration system – just add water
Frameless bullet shaped design with beveled glass edges

Conveniently hidden filtration system including:
Intake venturi protein skimmer
Surface-skimming overflow
Built in freshwater top-off system
Biological, mechanical and chemical filtration
Dedicated heater section with constant level water flow
Flexible return nozzle with dual outlets
Removable beveled glass top

Lighting System: Current Dual Satellite
40w 2-Lamp 24 Hour Lighting System
Dawn and Dusk Effect
Dual Daylight (6,7000K/10,000K)
Replacement Bulb: CD-16956 SunPaq Dual Daylight 6700ºK/10000ºK 40W
Dual Actinic (420NM/460NM)
Replacement Bulb: CD-16955 SunPaq Dual Actinic 420/460nm 40W