Alex’s IM 150 EXT

[Alexander1312]

Can you explain or share some links about why veegee refractometer is better than the tm hydrometer? I didn’t find a comparison specifically between the two.

The sad truth it is not. They both have their pros and cons. The Veegee keeps the calibration very consistent, as it appears to be a rather high-quality device. But calibration to distilled water does not bring accurate results. An accurate 35 PSU calibration fluid is key - I have not found one. The TM hydrometer does not require calibration fluid but it is also not super accurate even with using the respective calculator to adjust for temp and convert into PSU. I have to use a factor of 0.962 to get pretty accurate results.

 

[psidriven]

Ok, thx for the reply. If I had to choose, think I’d prefer consistent/precise over accurate

 

[Alexander1312]

Ok, thx for the reply. If I had to choose, think I’d prefer consistent/precise over accurate

I would say the jury is still out. The Vee Gee could become the most convenient and accurate tool to match ICP conductivity testing. At this point, the cheaper TM Hydrometer seems to be a better choice, but I sincerely dislike the use of hydrometers, so I will still try to find a better way to measure salinity without paying a massive amount of a conductivity meter.

 

[Alexander1312]

I just bought this for my Hydros devices.

I am not 100% clear how many modes can be controlled with this box, but if it can turn on and off feed mode and one other mode, it was worth the price (I guess). Constantly looking at the app is annoying at times.

Hydros Lighted Combo Switch Box (2 Channel) | JB Aquatics LLC

Available for order! Units can take up to 1 week to ship, units are built to order. Typically I try my best to turn orders ASAP. Version Update: Now available in 2 versions. Standard has only 1 GX12-6 port and Pass-Thru Version which has 2 GX12-6 ports. Most cases do not require 2 ports unless...

www.jbaquaticsllc.com

 

[Alexander1312]

Speaking of precision and accuracy - my favorite topic, ICP testing

First of all, for those few of us who use Fauna Marin for ICP testing, sending out the test on Thursday gives the best turn around time, i.e., 6 days until the labs tests and 7 days until you receive the results. With free shipping label.

Some interesting insights from this test.

1. Salinity - more work do...Used the Hydrometer for this, applied a correction factor. 1 PSU higher than what I measured.
2. Alkalinity continues to be too low, but in line with my own measurements. In my attempt to raise alkalinity slowly over at least 7 days, I struggle to keep up with the additional demand.
3. CA and MG remain in great shape.
4. Strontium needs to come up.
5. Potassium is critical, but keeps dropping, and I only learned a week or so ago that this is due to the use of Zeolite. And this was after I gave away a large bottle of Potassium at the last frag swap.
6. I have changed from individual element dosing to combined element dosing (in blocks), which has improved ICP results significantly.
7. Orthophosphate i.e., Hanna phosphate misaligned dramatically for the first time. My Hanna measurement were 0.11, here it is 0.014, which is crazy different. I wanted to doubt the ICP results but I know some LPS appear to be struggeling recently, and this could be the explanation.
8. Hanna Nitrate continous to match ICP results.
9. Changing the RO membrane helped significantly with eliminating silicon/silicate from the RO water vs. only changing resins.
10. With reduced ozone, organic in the water remains stable (SAK), which I can see with the improved skimmate.
11. Barium continous to be high due to use of Zeolite.

 

[PjFish]

Speaking of precision and accuracy - my favorite topic, ICP testing

First of all, for those few of us who use Fauna Marin for ICP testing, sending out the test on Thursday gives the best turn around time, i.e., 6 days until the labs tests and 7 days until you receive the results. With free shipping label.

Some interesting insights from this test.

1. Salinity - more work do...Used the Hydrometer for this, applied a correction factor. 1 PSU higher than what I measured.
2. Alkalinity continues to be too low, but in line with my own measurements. In my attempt to raise alkalinity slowly over at least 7 days, I struggle to keep up with the additional demand.
3. CA and MG remain in great shape.
4. Strontium needs to come up.
5. Potassium is critical, but keeps dropping, and I only learned a week or so ago that this is due to the use of Zeolite. And this was after I gave away a large bottle of Potassium at the last frag swap.
6. I have changed from individual element dosing to combined element dosing (in blocks), which has improved ICP results significantly.
7. Orthophosphate i.e., Hanna phosphate misaligned dramatically for the first time. My Hanna measurement were 0.11, here it is 0.014, which is crazy different. I wanted to doubt the ICP results but I know some LPS appear to be struggeling recently, and this could be the explanation.
8. Hanna Nitrate continous to match ICP results.
9. Changing the RO membrane helped significantly with eliminating silicon/silicate from the RO water vs. only changing resins.
10. With reduced ozone, organic in the water remains stable (SAK), which I can see with the improved skimmate.
11. Barium continous to be high due to use of Zeolite.

Can you elaborate on block dosing?
Do you also run a silica buster on your rodi?
Thanks for the comparisons!!

 

[Alexander1312]

Can you elaborate on block dosing?

Fauna Marin and now others bundel certain traces together for dosing which can then be added to the either your alkalinity or CA dosing - or separately dosed if you do not like that consumption based approach. I have used these for a while but relied more and more on individual element dosing to dial in ICP, which led to excessive dosing amounts in some cases.

Do you also run a silica buster on your rodi?

No, I do not. I have the 8 stage Neptune RODI from airwaterice.com.

 

[Alexander1312]

Hydros button box: https://www.jbaquaticsllc.com/produ...channel-/21?cp=true&sa=true&sbp=false&q=false

I installed this now and very much like it. I will buy another one for the nano tank.

Three minor issues:

1. If you want to stop the mode prematurely, you will have to go into the app. This is not the idea behind the button box, but my workaround was to define a ‘reset’ mode, which triggers all devices to turn on when activated for 1 minute, after which it turns back into the ‘normal’ mode. This technically ‘wastes’ one of the five buttons, but still ok.

2. You need to hold the button for a few seconds to activate the mode, and I do not always get a reaction if I pressed long enough. For something like turning off the ATO, this is more of an issue than turning off pumps, where you can hear or see them being turned off.

3. Also, another weird problem I had was with button 5, which is triggered with 5V. However, in the app the button only seems to trigger 4.9V. You can only link modes in full V intervals, so I thought this was an issue. I tried it and it will still activate the 5V mode without any issue.

Only remaining issue is that I needed a 6th button for sump cleaning only. First world problem.

 

[Alexander1312]

Prep for the arrival of the Aquawiz.

A perfect fit platform for it to sit on. Thanks so much @Thọ Key for printing this.

 

[Thọ Key]

Prep for the arrival of the Aquawiz.

A perfect fit platform for it to stand on. Thanks so much @Thọ Key for printing this.

View attachment 79764

You can totally glue the white base if you're going for that all-white vibe