Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Friday, November 4, 2011

A TANK UPDATE

The tank is starting to run well.

I am busy fine tuning and tweaking but mostly things are good.

I am dealing with some micro bubbles that are currently spoiling the appearance of the display.
Algae is also beginning to grow on all the surfaces as the tank is going through various cycles . I have been blasting rocks clean with a powerhead with a pop bottle and filter wool and this is showing some positive results.

The redox has been climbing steadily and is encouraging. I am thinking of adding ozone at some future date but a bit of reading is required first.

Happy reefing.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

STILL UNDECIDED

I really don't know if I should do the change over to the new sump system ;-)

It seems to be a real catch22 - do it now and the redo it all again in 4 weeks.

Or choose not to and then run the risk that it does not work as it is supposed to and then have the potential chaos to put a stop-gap in place to keep things running.

There is still additional drilling etc needed - and this can only be done after the change - I would prefer to do that now whilst all tools are at hand.

Guess that answers my own question . :-)

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

PREPARATION FOR MOVE

I am getting things ready for the future move to our new place.

I have identified - what I think is a nice spot for the tank - this is a large covered patio.

The tank should be visible from all sides and shielded from the elements nicely.

I have also constructed a sump that will fit in the cabinet and as a result a remote sump will not be required anymore. This makes for a much neater and cleaner appearance.
I have not fitted it as yet - I am debating whether to wait for the move - or to do it now to ensure it functions correctly and then disassemble it all again when we move.

Decisions,decisions.

Happy Reefing



Tuesday, September 21, 2010

PROBE CALIBRATION OUT ?

I refer to the salinity variation experienced as per my post below.

I have since re-calibrated the salinity probe and whilst the readings are closer to what I would expect it is still little out of whack.

I will double check with a spare hydrometer that I know is 99.9% accurate.

Happy reefing !


Friday, September 17, 2010

UPDATE !!

I upgraded the firmware on my Profilux II a while ago and battled to reconnect via the RS232.
This resulted in me being unable to use old sensor calibration data and had to do all afresh.
I guess in the process the maximum on time of the auto top-up was shortened to a few seconds.
This meant that the top-off timed out before all evaporation could be replaced.
Due to a busy schedule I only picked up on it a number of days later when the return pump started sucking in air.

I immediately made the required corrections and slowly added fresh water to correct sump level.

All went relatively well - but noticed that salinity sits at 30 instead of 50 . I am a bit perplexed about this. Could not figure out how this might have happened.




Wednesday, September 15, 2010

CLAM LOSS !!!

I am sad to report the loss of my squamosa clam.

I have had this specimen with me for a number of years and early last week was still well.

I have been battling phosphate in my tank and use phosguard(Seachem) in a fluidized container.

I am unsure as to whether this brought the sudden demise on......................

I will miss it :-(