WATERCHANGES !

We forget how important the old adage :

"The solution to pollution is dilution " often is.

I have been fighting high phosphates for some time now , and even though i don't overfeed and also ensure that frozen foods are rinsed .

I have noticed a recent decline in some of the corals and decided to embark on some daily water changes for a week.

This has made a huge difference to th Redox and also the appearance of the corals.

This has awakened a new vigor in my keep and also me.

Regular water changes it will be from now on. ;-)

RANDOM PICTURES FROM MY TANK

TANK STAND TAKE 2,5

I have done a simple Sketchup drawing of what things will look like.

This will be a very basic box frame with panels on and dimensions will be 720 mm sq.

Height will be about the same - this is a lot smaller than I would have liked .

But .....................................

This should provide me enough space to be able to install a decent sump with topup and refugium.

I will try and knock-up some more details and need to get the stand made ASAP.

Happy reefing

H

NEW TANK STAND ? NO NOT YET ;-)

I have to consult with SWMBO before this can progress.

The need for space to include all the equipment and ease of manufacture will have to be balanced with esthetic needs. ;-)

Easier said than done !!!

Happy Reefing !

Hilton

TANK STAND

I have managed to put the new sumps in and it is working ;-).

I do think I can do better though - so next step will be re-design the base/stand.

I would like to have something round - but from a practical perspective that just wont work.

So a square stand is probably the way to go.

Have seen this on RC so might do something along these lines , will have to wait and see.

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 . :-)

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

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 !

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.

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 :-(

SCRAPER

A FEW MORE PICS ;-)

THE MOVE IS ON !

Funny in a way I guess ;-)

But as I eventually get the picture up - I also need to say that the house has been sold.

This means that within the next month or so - thoughts of re-locating the tank will start filling my mind.

I do not look forward to it - is always a lot of hard back breaking work.

And there is always the risk that something might go wrong.

Also the tank is so damn heavy and a bugger to move due to it's shape . It must be turned on it side to go through any doors.

Wet hands and a slippery glass wheel is essentially what we are dealing with.

I have done this a few times now - so will add some of my tips and experiences here.

Hope somebody can find some use from it.

Happy reefing until next we meet.

Hilton

FINALLY ! A pic of the round tank ;-)

LOOKS LIKE THE TANK MIGHT HAVE TO MOVE

We have put our house up for sale. ;-) I have been wanting to re-aquascape , but based on this have decided to let things be.

The tank is due for a make-over but will rather do it once we have settled in our new abode. Will be a few months still,but just makes more sense.
I am still fighting the scourge of Rodactis in the tank and will probably end up scrubbing all of it off the rock before placing it back in the tank.

Happy Reefing

Till we meet again !