Tank improvement advice wanted

[Andy Black]

Hi,

It's been about a year since I set up my 75 gallon reef tank (some pics
at http://www.spazthecat.com/iblog/B93549880/index.html) and I was now
looking to optimize anything I could. So, I was looking for a little
advice as far as what I should do first.

My set up is as follows:

-75 gallon tank
-10 gallon sump plumbed to basement
-sump return pump is a Mag 1800 (distance of sump to main tank is 10-12
feet)
-1 Seaswirl on the the return line.
-1 Maxijet 600 at the end of the tank opposite the Seaswirl
-2 250 watt heaters in sump
-1 AquaC Urchin skimmer in the sump
-2 175 MH lights (10,000K)
-1 96 watt pc actinic
-75 lbs lived rock
-3-4 inch sand bed with sugar grained sized sand

Livestock:
-2 percula clowns
-1 yellow tank
-1 bartlett anthia
-1 orchid dotyback
-1 red and black cucumber
-approx 20 astrea snails
-approx 20 blue leg hermits
-approx 5 turbo snails
-unknown number of nassarius snails. Maybe 5.
-1 emerald crab
-green star polyps
-assorted mushrooms
-two plate corals
-1 tree coral
-large clump of Xenia
-yellow polyps

Care and feeding:
-5 gallon water change every two weeks. (IO salt + RO water)
-Buffer and calcium as needed.
-DT's Phytoplankton 15 ml every other day.
-Frozen food (Reef supreme), 1 block every other day
-OSI flake food on the days I don't feed the frozen food
-Nori, 1 strip every other day
-Tank chemistry has been stable

I think at this point the big thing I am missing is high enough water
flow. I was considering adding a SCWD instead of more powerheads. I
don't like to have extra "stuff" in the main tank.

Anything else? Suggestions?

Thanks!

Andy

[Richard Reynolds]

> It's been about a year since I set up my 75 gallon reef tank (some pics
> at http://www.spazthecat.com/iblog/B93549880/index.html) and I was now
> looking to optimize anything I could. So, I was looking for a little
> advice as far as what I should do first.

before I go to far with it

are you having any problems? any major planned upgrades?


and what does

> -Tank chemistry has been stable

really mean

--
Richard Reynolds

[Andy Black]

No real problems. I think I have more problems with bad algae than I
should and slower coraline growth than I should. I thought maybe
increased flow would help get more detritus out of the main tank and
into the sump. More detritus into sump = more siphoned out when I do
water changes = less bad algae. I also had a pretty large mass snail die
off for no real reason. Like 6-8 died all in the same week. But, that
seems to happen from time to time.

No major upgrades planned, I was going to get a little feedback and see
if I really needed to make a big change. My gut feeling is not major
changes are needed.

Chemistries:

Nitrate, Nitrite, and Ammonia all zero.
Calcium around 550.
Ph 8.3
alkalinity 3.4

All have been this way since cycling.

Thanks,
Andy


In article <muglc.34452$NZ4.277@lakeread05>,
"Richard Reynolds" > wrote:

> > It's been about a year since I set up my 75 gallon reef tank (some pics
> > at http://www.spazthecat.com/iblog/B93549880/index.html) and I was now
> > looking to optimize anything I could. So, I was looking for a little
> > advice as far as what I should do first.
>
> before I go to far with it
>
> are you having any problems? any major planned upgrades?
>
>
> and what does
>
> > -Tank chemistry has been stable
>
> really mean

[Simon O'Keeffe]

that calcium level is off the chart.
What is going on there?
do you have an alk level.
If you don;t test this (IMO most important) then that'd be your problem.
Stick to over 9 dKH.
I think that is something like 3.5 meq/l. Not sure, sorry.
More water and an SCWD would be great too.
Can you weir/ overflow handle another pump, maybe even a larger pump
into the SCWDs with teh head and the loss through the SCWD (around 30%)
you'll need a decent pump if you want no power heads. Flow is
everything. I'm finding (even in soft coral tanks) that real nice
currents are very important.

Simon


Andy Black wrote:

>No real problems. I think I have more problems with bad algae than I
>should and slower coraline growth than I should. I thought maybe
>increased flow would help get more detritus out of the main tank and
>into the sump. More detritus into sump = more siphoned out when I do
>water changes = less bad algae. I also had a pretty large mass snail die
>off for no real reason. Like 6-8 died all in the same week. But, that
>seems to happen from time to time.
>
>No major upgrades planned, I was going to get a little feedback and see
>if I really needed to make a big change. My gut feeling is not major
>changes are needed.
>
>Chemistries:
>
>Nitrate, Nitrite, and Ammonia all zero.
>Calcium around 550.
>Ph 8.3
>alkalinity 3.4
>
>All have been this way since cycling.
>
>Thanks,
>Andy
>
>
>In article <muglc.34452$NZ4.277@lakeread05>,
> "Richard Reynolds" > wrote:
>
>
>
>>>It's been about a year since I set up my 75 gallon reef tank (some pics
>>>at http://www.spazthecat.com/iblog/B93549880/index.html) and I was now
>>>looking to optimize anything I could. So, I was looking for a little
>>>advice as far as what I should do first.
>>>
>>>
>>before I go to far with it
>>
>>are you having any problems? any major planned upgrades?
>>
>>
>>and what does
>>
>>
>>
>>>-Tank chemistry has been stable
>>>
>>>
>>really mean
>>
>>

[Microbot]

Alot of LFS have told me that a high Calcium level aides in Coraline Algae
growth.
Maybe that's why his is at such levels, I myself have high Calcium levels..

Cheers
Microbot

"Simon O'Keeffe" > wrote in message
...
> that calcium level is off the chart.
> What is going on there?
> do you have an alk level.
> If you don;t test this (IMO most important) then that'd be your problem.
> Stick to over 9 dKH.
> I think that is something like 3.5 meq/l. Not sure, sorry.
> More water and an SCWD would be great too.
> Can you weir/ overflow handle another pump, maybe even a larger pump
> into the SCWDs with teh head and the loss through the SCWD (around 30%)
> you'll need a decent pump if you want no power heads. Flow is
> everything. I'm finding (even in soft coral tanks) that real nice
> currents are very important.
>
> Simon
>
>
> Andy Black wrote:
>
> >No real problems. I think I have more problems with bad algae than I
> >should and slower coraline growth than I should. I thought maybe
> >increased flow would help get more detritus out of the main tank and
> >into the sump. More detritus into sump = more siphoned out when I do
> >water changes = less bad algae. I also had a pretty large mass snail die
> >off for no real reason. Like 6-8 died all in the same week. But, that
> >seems to happen from time to time.
> >
> >No major upgrades planned, I was going to get a little feedback and see
> >if I really needed to make a big change. My gut feeling is not major
> >changes are needed.
> >
> >Chemistries:
> >
> >Nitrate, Nitrite, and Ammonia all zero.
> >Calcium around 550.
> >Ph 8.3
> >alkalinity 3.4
> >
> >All have been this way since cycling.
> >
> >Thanks,
> >Andy
> >
> >
> >In article <muglc.34452$NZ4.277@lakeread05>,
> > "Richard Reynolds" > wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> >>>It's been about a year since I set up my 75 gallon reef tank (some pics
> >>>at http://www.spazthecat.com/iblog/B93549880/index.html) and I was now
> >>>looking to optimize anything I could. So, I was looking for a little
> >>>advice as far as what I should do first.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>before I go to far with it
> >>
> >>are you having any problems? any major planned upgrades?
> >>
> >>
> >>and what does
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>>-Tank chemistry has been stable
> >>>
> >>>
> >>really mean
> >>
> >>
>

[Andy Black]

That is part of the reason. The other is just a mistake.

Is 550 really THAT high? I didn't think it was too high. Anyways,
another water change or two and it should be back down around 500. Alk
is hanging right around 3.4.

Thanks for the replies,

Andy

In article >,
"Microbot" > wrote:

> Alot of LFS have told me that a high Calcium level aides in Coraline Algae
> growth.
> Maybe that's why his is at such levels, I myself have high Calcium levels..
>
> Cheers
> Microbot
>
> "Simon O'Keeffe" > wrote in message
> ...
> > that calcium level is off the chart.
> > What is going on there?
> > do you have an alk level.
> > If you don;t test this (IMO most important) then that'd be your problem.
> > Stick to over 9 dKH.
> > I think that is something like 3.5 meq/l. Not sure, sorry.
> > More water and an SCWD would be great too.
> > Can you weir/ overflow handle another pump, maybe even a larger pump
> > into the SCWDs with teh head and the loss through the SCWD (around 30%)
> > you'll need a decent pump if you want no power heads. Flow is
> > everything. I'm finding (even in soft coral tanks) that real nice
> > currents are very important.
> >
> > Simon
> >
> >
> > Andy Black wrote:
> >
> > >No real problems. I think I have more problems with bad algae than I
> > >should and slower coraline growth than I should. I thought maybe
> > >increased flow would help get more detritus out of the main tank and
> > >into the sump. More detritus into sump = more siphoned out when I do
> > >water changes = less bad algae. I also had a pretty large mass snail die
> > >off for no real reason. Like 6-8 died all in the same week. But, that
> > >seems to happen from time to time.
> > >
> > >No major upgrades planned, I was going to get a little feedback and see
> > >if I really needed to make a big change. My gut feeling is not major
> > >changes are needed.
> > >
> > >Chemistries:
> > >
> > >Nitrate, Nitrite, and Ammonia all zero.
> > >Calcium around 550.
> > >Ph 8.3
> > >alkalinity 3.4
> > >
> > >All have been this way since cycling.
> > >
> > >Thanks,
> > >Andy
> > >
> > >
> > >In article <muglc.34452$NZ4.277@lakeread05>,
> > > "Richard Reynolds" > wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >>>It's been about a year since I set up my 75 gallon reef tank (some pics
> > >>>at http://www.spazthecat.com/iblog/B93549880/index.html) and I was now
> > >>>looking to optimize anything I could. So, I was looking for a little
> > >>>advice as far as what I should do first.
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>before I go to far with it
> > >>
> > >>are you having any problems? any major planned upgrades?
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>and what does
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>>-Tank chemistry has been stable
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>really mean
> > >>
> > >>
> >

[John Krempasky]

Well, since it's in the basement, I presume you have room and there's not an
unsightlyness issue, so how about a 20 gallon or 30 gallon sump? Cost of a
bigger sump container would be minimal. And you could make part of it into a
refugium containing macroalgae to reduce nutrients.

And perhaps a better skimmer. Something like the smallest Euroreef. Would
probably also help with your algae problem a lot.

[Marc Levenson]

Andy,

550ppm Calcium is very high. 400 to 450 is close the NSW.
What is your Alkalinity reading? 3.4 dKH or 3.4 meq/L? If the latter, it is
correct. If the former, it is way too low.

Marc


Andy Black wrote:

> That is part of the reason. The other is just a mistake.
>
> Is 550 really THAT high? I didn't think it was too high. Anyways,
> another water change or two and it should be back down around 500. Alk
> is hanging right around 3.4.
>
> Thanks for the replies,
>
> Andy
>
> In article >,
> "Microbot" > wrote:
>
> > Alot of LFS have told me that a high Calcium level aides in Coraline Algae
> > growth.
> > Maybe that's why his is at such levels, I myself have high Calcium levels..
> >
> > Cheers
> > Microbot
> >
> > "Simon O'Keeffe" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > that calcium level is off the chart.
> > > What is going on there?
> > > do you have an alk level.
> > > If you don;t test this (IMO most important) then that'd be your problem.
> > > Stick to over 9 dKH.
> > > I think that is something like 3.5 meq/l. Not sure, sorry.
> > > More water and an SCWD would be great too.
> > > Can you weir/ overflow handle another pump, maybe even a larger pump
> > > into the SCWDs with teh head and the loss through the SCWD (around 30%)
> > > you'll need a decent pump if you want no power heads. Flow is
> > > everything. I'm finding (even in soft coral tanks) that real nice
> > > currents are very important.
> > >
> > > Simon
> > >
> > >
> > > Andy Black wrote:
> > >
> > > >No real problems. I think I have more problems with bad algae than I
> > > >should and slower coraline growth than I should. I thought maybe
> > > >increased flow would help get more detritus out of the main tank and
> > > >into the sump. More detritus into sump = more siphoned out when I do
> > > >water changes = less bad algae. I also had a pretty large mass snail die
> > > >off for no real reason. Like 6-8 died all in the same week. But, that
> > > >seems to happen from time to time.
> > > >
> > > >No major upgrades planned, I was going to get a little feedback and see
> > > >if I really needed to make a big change. My gut feeling is not major
> > > >changes are needed.
> > > >
> > > >Chemistries:
> > > >
> > > >Nitrate, Nitrite, and Ammonia all zero.
> > > >Calcium around 550.
> > > >Ph 8.3
> > > >alkalinity 3.4
> > > >
> > > >All have been this way since cycling.
> > > >
> > > >Thanks,
> > > >Andy
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >In article <muglc.34452$NZ4.277@lakeread05>,
> > > > "Richard Reynolds" > wrote:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >>>It's been about a year since I set up my 75 gallon reef tank (some pics
> > > >>>at http://www.spazthecat.com/iblog/B93549880/index.html) and I was now
> > > >>>looking to optimize anything I could. So, I was looking for a little
> > > >>>advice as far as what I should do first.
> > > >>>
> > > >>>
> > > >>before I go to far with it
> > > >>
> > > >>are you having any problems? any major planned upgrades?
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >>and what does
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >>>-Tank chemistry has been stable
> > > >>>
> > > >>>
> > > >>really mean
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > >

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[skozzy]

What effects does a high calcium have in the tank around that 550 to 650 ?

--



My Aquarium Homepage
http://members.optusnet.com.au/pinball_skozzy/skozzysaquarium

(Still being worked on)


"Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
...
> Andy,
>
> 550ppm Calcium is very high. 400 to 450 is close the NSW.
> What is your Alkalinity reading? 3.4 dKH or 3.4 meq/L? If the latter, it
is
> correct. If the former, it is way too low.
>
> Marc
>
>
> Andy Black wrote:
>
> > That is part of the reason. The other is just a mistake.
> >
> > Is 550 really THAT high? I didn't think it was too high. Anyways,
> > another water change or two and it should be back down around 500. Alk
> > is hanging right around 3.4.
> >
> > Thanks for the replies,
> >
> > Andy
> >
> > In article >,
> > "Microbot" > wrote:
> >
> > > Alot of LFS have told me that a high Calcium level aides in Coraline
Algae
> > > growth.
> > > Maybe that's why his is at such levels, I myself have high Calcium
levels..
> > >
> > > Cheers
> > > Microbot
> > >
> > > "Simon O'Keeffe" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > > that calcium level is off the chart.
> > > > What is going on there?
> > > > do you have an alk level.
> > > > If you don;t test this (IMO most important) then that'd be your
problem.
> > > > Stick to over 9 dKH.
> > > > I think that is something like 3.5 meq/l. Not sure, sorry.
> > > > More water and an SCWD would be great too.
> > > > Can you weir/ overflow handle another pump, maybe even a larger pump
> > > > into the SCWDs with teh head and the loss through the SCWD (around
30%)
> > > > you'll need a decent pump if you want no power heads. Flow is
> > > > everything. I'm finding (even in soft coral tanks) that real nice
> > > > currents are very important.
> > > >
> > > > Simon
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Andy Black wrote:
> > > >
> > > > >No real problems. I think I have more problems with bad algae than
I
> > > > >should and slower coraline growth than I should. I thought maybe
> > > > >increased flow would help get more detritus out of the main tank
and
> > > > >into the sump. More detritus into sump = more siphoned out when I
do
> > > > >water changes = less bad algae. I also had a pretty large mass
snail die
> > > > >off for no real reason. Like 6-8 died all in the same week. But,
that
> > > > >seems to happen from time to time.
> > > > >
> > > > >No major upgrades planned, I was going to get a little feedback and
see
> > > > >if I really needed to make a big change. My gut feeling is not
major
> > > > >changes are needed.
> > > > >
> > > > >Chemistries:
> > > > >
> > > > >Nitrate, Nitrite, and Ammonia all zero.
> > > > >Calcium around 550.
> > > > >Ph 8.3
> > > > >alkalinity 3.4
> > > > >
> > > > >All have been this way since cycling.
> > > > >
> > > > >Thanks,
> > > > >Andy
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >In article <muglc.34452$NZ4.277@lakeread05>,
> > > > > "Richard Reynolds" > wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >>>It's been about a year since I set up my 75 gallon reef tank
(some pics
> > > > >>>at http://www.spazthecat.com/iblog/B93549880/index.html) and I
was now
> > > > >>>looking to optimize anything I could. So, I was looking for a
little
> > > > >>>advice as far as what I should do first.
> > > > >>>
> > > > >>>
> > > > >>before I go to far with it
> > > > >>
> > > > >>are you having any problems? any major planned upgrades?
> > > > >>
> > > > >>
> > > > >>and what does
> > > > >>
> > > > >>
> > > > >>
> > > > >>>-Tank chemistry has been stable
> > > > >>>
> > > > >>>
> > > > >>really mean
> > > > >>
> > > > >>
> > > >
>
> --
> Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
>
>

[LarryT]

If the Alk gets any higer you will what is referred to as a chalk fall
out...the Ca actually turns into what looks like chalk powder and it looks
it is snowing in your tank. Then you have an ionic imbalance and spend a
lot of time and $ in water changes trying to get things under control.

FWIW....NSW Alk=2.9 and Ca = 420-450. If it's worked all this time in the
ocean, it should work for us at home :)



"skozzy" > wrote in message
. ..
> What effects does a high calcium have in the tank around that 550 to 650 ?
>
> --
>
>
>
> My Aquarium Homepage
> http://members.optusnet.com.au/pinball_skozzy/skozzysaquarium
>
> (Still being worked on)
>
>
> "Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Andy,
>>
>> 550ppm Calcium is very high. 400 to 450 is close the NSW.
>> What is your Alkalinity reading? 3.4 dKH or 3.4 meq/L? If the latter,
>> it
> is
>> correct. If the former, it is way too low.
>>
>> Marc
>>
>>
>> Andy Black wrote:
>>
>> > That is part of the reason. The other is just a mistake.
>> >
>> > Is 550 really THAT high? I didn't think it was too high. Anyways,
>> > another water change or two and it should be back down around 500. Alk
>> > is hanging right around 3.4.
>> >
>> > Thanks for the replies,
>> >
>> > Andy
>> >
>> > In article >,
>> > "Microbot" > wrote:
>> >
>> > > Alot of LFS have told me that a high Calcium level aides in Coraline
> Algae
>> > > growth.
>> > > Maybe that's why his is at such levels, I myself have high Calcium
> levels..
>> > >
>> > > Cheers
>> > > Microbot
>> > >
>> > > "Simon O'Keeffe" > wrote in message
>> > > ...
>> > > > that calcium level is off the chart.
>> > > > What is going on there?
>> > > > do you have an alk level.
>> > > > If you don;t test this (IMO most important) then that'd be your
> problem.
>> > > > Stick to over 9 dKH.
>> > > > I think that is something like 3.5 meq/l. Not sure, sorry.
>> > > > More water and an SCWD would be great too.
>> > > > Can you weir/ overflow handle another pump, maybe even a larger
>> > > > pump
>> > > > into the SCWDs with teh head and the loss through the SCWD (around
> 30%)
>> > > > you'll need a decent pump if you want no power heads. Flow is
>> > > > everything. I'm finding (even in soft coral tanks) that real nice
>> > > > currents are very important.
>> > > >
>> > > > Simon
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > Andy Black wrote:
>> > > >
>> > > > >No real problems. I think I have more problems with bad algae than
> I
>> > > > >should and slower coraline growth than I should. I thought maybe
>> > > > >increased flow would help get more detritus out of the main tank
> and
>> > > > >into the sump. More detritus into sump = more siphoned out when I
> do
>> > > > >water changes = less bad algae. I also had a pretty large mass
> snail die
>> > > > >off for no real reason. Like 6-8 died all in the same week. But,
> that
>> > > > >seems to happen from time to time.
>> > > > >
>> > > > >No major upgrades planned, I was going to get a little feedback
>> > > > >and
> see
>> > > > >if I really needed to make a big change. My gut feeling is not
> major
>> > > > >changes are needed.
>> > > > >
>> > > > >Chemistries:
>> > > > >
>> > > > >Nitrate, Nitrite, and Ammonia all zero.
>> > > > >Calcium around 550.
>> > > > >Ph 8.3
>> > > > >alkalinity 3.4
>> > > > >
>> > > > >All have been this way since cycling.
>> > > > >
>> > > > >Thanks,
>> > > > >Andy
>> > > > >
>> > > > >
>> > > > >In article <muglc.34452$NZ4.277@lakeread05>,
>> > > > > "Richard Reynolds" > wrote:
>> > > > >
>> > > > >
>> > > > >
>> > > > >>>It's been about a year since I set up my 75 gallon reef tank
> (some pics
>> > > > >>>at http://www.spazthecat.com/iblog/B93549880/index.html) and I
> was now
>> > > > >>>looking to optimize anything I could. So, I was looking for a
> little
>> > > > >>>advice as far as what I should do first.
>> > > > >>>
>> > > > >>>
>> > > > >>before I go to far with it
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>are you having any problems? any major planned upgrades?
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>and what does
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>>-Tank chemistry has been stable
>> > > > >>>
>> > > > >>>
>> > > > >>really mean
>> > > > >>
>> > > > >>
>> > > >
>>
>> --
>> Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
>> Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
>> Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
>>
>>
>
>

[Rod]

it will usually percipitate at levels above 500

[Microbot]

Did you mean precipitate??
What's the reason for the fall/crash..

Cheers
Microbot

"Rod" > wrote in message
...
> it will usually percipitate at levels above 500

[Andy Black]

3.4 meq/L

In article >,
Marc Levenson > wrote:

> Andy,
>
> 550ppm Calcium is very high. 400 to 450 is close the NSW.
> What is your Alkalinity reading? 3.4 dKH or 3.4 meq/L? If the latter, it is
> correct. If the former, it is way too low.
>
> Marc
>
>
> Andy Black wrote:
>
> > That is part of the reason. The other is just a mistake.
> >
> > Is 550 really THAT high? I didn't think it was too high. Anyways,
> > another water change or two and it should be back down around 500. Alk
> > is hanging right around 3.4.
> >
> > Thanks for the replies,
> >
> > Andy
> >
> > In article >,
> > "Microbot" > wrote:
> >
> > > Alot of LFS have told me that a high Calcium level aides in Coraline
> > > Algae
> > > growth.
> > > Maybe that's why his is at such levels, I myself have high Calcium
> > > levels..
> > >
> > > Cheers
> > > Microbot
> > >
> > > "Simon O'Keeffe" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > > that calcium level is off the chart.
> > > > What is going on there?
> > > > do you have an alk level.
> > > > If you don;t test this (IMO most important) then that'd be your
> > > > problem.
> > > > Stick to over 9 dKH.
> > > > I think that is something like 3.5 meq/l. Not sure, sorry.
> > > > More water and an SCWD would be great too.
> > > > Can you weir/ overflow handle another pump, maybe even a larger pump
> > > > into the SCWDs with teh head and the loss through the SCWD (around 30%)
> > > > you'll need a decent pump if you want no power heads. Flow is
> > > > everything. I'm finding (even in soft coral tanks) that real nice
> > > > currents are very important.
> > > >
> > > > Simon
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Andy Black wrote:
> > > >
> > > > >No real problems. I think I have more problems with bad algae than I
> > > > >should and slower coraline growth than I should. I thought maybe
> > > > >increased flow would help get more detritus out of the main tank and
> > > > >into the sump. More detritus into sump = more siphoned out when I do
> > > > >water changes = less bad algae. I also had a pretty large mass snail
> > > > >die
> > > > >off for no real reason. Like 6-8 died all in the same week. But, that
> > > > >seems to happen from time to time.
> > > > >
> > > > >No major upgrades planned, I was going to get a little feedback and
> > > > >see
> > > > >if I really needed to make a big change. My gut feeling is not major
> > > > >changes are needed.
> > > > >
> > > > >Chemistries:
> > > > >
> > > > >Nitrate, Nitrite, and Ammonia all zero.
> > > > >Calcium around 550.
> > > > >Ph 8.3
> > > > >alkalinity 3.4
> > > > >
> > > > >All have been this way since cycling.
> > > > >
> > > > >Thanks,
> > > > >Andy
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >In article <muglc.34452$NZ4.277@lakeread05>,
> > > > > "Richard Reynolds" > wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >>>It's been about a year since I set up my 75 gallon reef tank (some
> > > > >>>pics
> > > > >>>at http://www.spazthecat.com/iblog/B93549880/index.html) and I was
> > > > >>>now
> > > > >>>looking to optimize anything I could. So, I was looking for a little
> > > > >>>advice as far as what I should do first.
> > > > >>>
> > > > >>>
> > > > >>before I go to far with it
> > > > >>
> > > > >>are you having any problems? any major planned upgrades?
> > > > >>
> > > > >>
> > > > >>and what does
> > > > >>
> > > > >>
> > > > >>
> > > > >>>-Tank chemistry has been stable
> > > > >>>
> > > > >>>
> > > > >>really mean
> > > > >>
> > > > >>
> > > >
>
> --
> Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Simon O'Keeffe]

As stated at levels above about 500ppm with pH at 8.2 or above and
decent alk levels you will have precipitation. In other words one of
your test kits is wrong as those levels are not possible.
The water can only hold so much calcium before Calcium Carbonate forms.
Once the Calcium forms CaCO3 there is no getting it back into the water
column.
get some decent salifert test kits. All cheaper kits are useless IMO and
IME.
shot for NSW figures, Calcium 460-480ppm; pH 8.1-8.3 or even 8.4, Alk
level can be elevated slightly up to about 5 or 6 meq/l this is what you
meant right?
As 3.4 dKH is not very high.
This is not something to screw around with.
Stick to balanced additives or Limewater or you will unballance your
calcium, alkalinity and pH triangle.
You best option to get perameters back online is large percentage water
changes.

OT Note: Don't listen to LFS advice, they don't have a clue and usually
just want to make a sale.
Let me guess, the LFS who told you this high calcium stuff also sold you
some Calcium chloride.
The sad thing is... most LFS workers and owners have marine tanks, they
are just clueless as to how to care for the creatures in them IME.
The junior staff at a lot of LFS's despense advice as if the know it all
and clearly a lot of them have never picked up a book.
Ask here first, you may not get profesional advice but at least there
is no financial reason for anyone to BS you.
IMO forums like this give much more honest advice than people who want
to make a sale.
Sorry for the rant.
Simon

Microbot wrote:

>Alot of LFS have told me that a high Calcium level aides in Coraline Algae
>growth.
>Maybe that's why his is at such levels, I myself have high Calcium levels..
>
>Cheers
>Microbot
>
>"Simon O'Keeffe" > wrote in message
...
>
>
>>that calcium level is off the chart.
>>What is going on there?
>> do you have an alk level.
>>If you don;t test this (IMO most important) then that'd be your problem.
>>Stick to over 9 dKH.
>>I think that is something like 3.5 meq/l. Not sure, sorry.
>>More water and an SCWD would be great too.
>>Can you weir/ overflow handle another pump, maybe even a larger pump
>>into the SCWDs with teh head and the loss through the SCWD (around 30%)
>>you'll need a decent pump if you want no power heads. Flow is
>>everything. I'm finding (even in soft coral tanks) that real nice
>>currents are very important.
>>
>>Simon
>>
>>
>>Andy Black wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>>No real problems. I think I have more problems with bad algae than I
>>>should and slower coraline growth than I should. I thought maybe
>>>increased flow would help get more detritus out of the main tank and
>>>into the sump. More detritus into sump = more siphoned out when I do
>>>water changes = less bad algae. I also had a pretty large mass snail die
>>>off for no real reason. Like 6-8 died all in the same week. But, that
>>>seems to happen from time to time.
>>>
>>>No major upgrades planned, I was going to get a little feedback and see
>>>if I really needed to make a big change. My gut feeling is not major
>>>changes are needed.
>>>
>>>Chemistries:
>>>
>>>Nitrate, Nitrite, and Ammonia all zero.
>>>Calcium around 550.
>>>Ph 8.3
>>>alkalinity 3.4
>>>
>>>All have been this way since cycling.
>>>
>>>Thanks,
>>>Andy
>>>
>>>
>>>In article <muglc.34452$NZ4.277@lakeread05>,
>>>"Richard Reynolds" > wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>>It's been about a year since I set up my 75 gallon reef tank (some pics
>>>>>at http://www.spazthecat.com/iblog/B93549880/index.html) and I was now
>>>>>looking to optimize anything I could. So, I was looking for a little
>>>>>advice as far as what I should do first.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>before I go to far with it
>>>>
>>>>are you having any problems? any major planned upgrades?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>and what does
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>-Tank chemistry has been stable
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>really mean
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>
>
>
>

[Marc Levenson]

That is a good number, right in range with NSW.

Marc


Andy Black wrote:

> 3.4 meq/L
>
> In article >,
> Marc Levenson > wrote:
>
> > Andy,
> >
> > 550ppm Calcium is very high. 400 to 450 is close the NSW.
> > What is your Alkalinity reading? 3.4 dKH or 3.4 meq/L? If the latter, it is
> > correct. If the former, it is way too low.
> >
> > Marc
>

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com