Cali Kid Corals

L&B’s new red sea 250

Tank update October 11.

Been awhile since the last one. Lots of action in the cabinet -trying to get cords better organized-I realize it would offend some aesthetics but it would be nice if manufacturers would use some crazy patterns on their cords! I have prob 20-30 cords-all black!

Added is a new Red Sea doser and a one link module for the Neptune. This cuts down the number of cords passing back and forth and the Neptune power bar seems to have an issue if I plug in all the 1link connections.

It is cheaper to simply get the module then replace the whole energy bar. I am finding that I like the Red Sea dosers over Neptune. They seem more reliable, little less expensive. I do miss the ability to daisy chain Neptune modules without the additional power plugs necessary.

So now with the doser for the doserator-up to 4 dosers!!! Almost all heads (9 total) in use except one-

I do wonder how many devices the average reefer uses on their “main tank”
I am now up to:

For the display;

2 lights (Red Sea led 90’s)
3 circulation pumps
Avast feeder and tube (has a sicce pump)


For the support:
Roller mat
Protein skimmer
4 dosers
Return pump
ATO
Solent valve
Cartridge with CO2 absorptive material
Nano pump for refugium (offline due to no more electrical outlets!)
Mini fridge
Pump to flush line
Neptune controller

Lastly near the end of the fallow period -looking forward to start loading up some fish from HTA!
 

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Update dec 2023 -
Well the great no water change experiment has come to an end-I think I did a bunch back in early August after my fish die off and then didn’t do any at all for most of September-and then nothing Oct/Nov. A recent ICP test showed some depletions in zinc and a couple of other minor trace elements even though they were being dosed in. Also the salinity was on the higher side (36 ppt).
See though once I get everything back in order if I can at least reduce the amount of water I need.



Tank is nearly restocked in fish- corals on the whole looking ok. Just enjoying the view.
 

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Coral reefer said:
I could probably deliver you some salt water every 2 or 4 weeks if it helped simplify things for you since I’m out there every 2 weeks
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You are too kind @Coral reefer -but I am good. It was an intentional experiment of no water changes and using ICP testing as a way to monitor that concept. Based on the ICP results-I will revert back to weekly water changes (possibly daily small changes of 1.25 gallon)

With HTA right up the street -no problem at all.
 
Remember even if you have accurate ICP data, you can only add back, not remove.

Water changes are still the only way to export certain unwanted chemicals.
 
Darkxerox said:
Remember even if you have accurate ICP data, you can only add back, not remove.

Water changes are still the only way to export certain unwanted chemicals.
Click to expand...
It wasn’t an export issue-well except for the extra salt. More of an import issue-low on zinc and a couple of trace elements -even though they were still being dosed.

Even then corals were looking pretty good but don’t want to push the envelope.
 
Update -on the whole tank doing ok at the moment. Few equipment failures that crept up all at once:
Red ato temp sensor busted -Red Sea replaced and back in action.

Realized that a doser pump had stopped working-after trouble shooting it-seems that it was air creeping in somewhere. Resolved.

PH calibration not working (separate thread) -ugh..

Refugium back in action.

The middle section now entirely occupied with coral!
Tallest section pretty packed and now I can fill into a couple of gaps here and there.

Going to attempt to Jam Pack that lower section on the left with acros-see if they grow there.. they are good more upper -will see.
 

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L/B Block said:
Update -on the whole tank doing ok at the moment. Few equipment failures that crept up all at once:
Red ato temp sensor busted -Red Sea replaced and back in action.

Realized that a doser pump had stopped working-after trouble shooting it-seems that it was air creeping in somewhere. Resolved.

PH calibration not working (separate thread) -ugh..

Refugium back in action.

The middle section now entirely occupied with coral!
Tallest section pretty packed and now I can fill into a couple of gaps here and there.

Going to attempt to Jam Pack that lower section on the left with acros-see if they grow there.. they are good more upper -will see.
Click to expand...

Only the temp sensor of the ATO I hope. First I heard of problems with this ATO, which I also bought vs the Tunze. I am not looking at the temp from this much but I really hope the water level sensors will not have issues…

Which doser had the issue?

Great looking tank!
 
Alexander1312 said:
Only the temp sensor of the ATO I hope. First I heard of problems with this ATO, which I also bought vs the Tunze. I am not looking at the temp from this much but I really hope the water level sensors will not have issues…

Which doser had the issue?

Great looking tank!
Click to expand...
@Alexander1312 -fortunately it was only the temp sensor and NOT the water level sensor. That remained fine. Just keep your receipt! Red Sea was really good about sending me a new one and it’s now installed.

The Red Sea doser was the issue-but mechanically speaking it was fine. Just the lid on the container cracked and it air got in the system. Just took me a bit of time to realize what the issue was. It was only because suddenly I am dosing two trace chemicals that I noticed a difference in the levels (should be the same)

Thx for the compliment!
 
Time for an update-
Some new equipment- namely the new QD doser and a pressure sensor from avast for the protein skimmer that should stop operation if starts to overflow.

Added in kalk -see if if it helps with the PH levels a bit as it it was getting really low (7.6/7.7) without leaving the refugium lights on 24/7 making for a huge algae mess in the sump-so far it’s up to 7.8-8.0. And the algae is quickly disappearing.


Trident back in action.

Tank looking mostly ok. Couple acros didn’t make it but not surprising.

Next task-dealing with the rats nest of cables.
 

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Look up drip loops! Really think you should have them there and elevate any electronics off the bottom of the sump (the Trident etc.) even with just simple plastic risers or whatever you have lying around that's stable and won't wick water.

You can also get these Velcro cable ties online that can help organize cables but still be quick to disconnect in an emergency or when you need to replace things. https://www.homedepot.com/p/VELCRO-8-in-x-1-2-in-Reusable-Ties-50-Pack-90924HD/202261940

Also we gotta get you an orange or yellow camera lens so we can see how nice the tank is now. I think Kenny has them in stock.

Have you borrowed the CO2 meter to see what the levels are in the house? I remember when I was there last the tank is downstairs and built in a wall so curious if there's good outside ventilation or if any of the windows can be cracked open.
 
Darkxerox said:
Look up drip loops! Really think you should have them there and elevate any electronics off the bottom of the sump (the Trident etc.) even with just simple plastic risers or whatever you have lying around that's stable and won't wick water.

You can also get these Velcro cable ties online that can help organize cables but still be quick to disconnect in an emergency or when you need to replace things. https://www.homedepot.com/p/VELCRO-8-in-x-1-2-in-Reusable-Ties-50-Pack-90924HD/202261940

Also we gotta get you an orange or yellow camera lens so we can see how nice the tank is now. I think Kenny has them in stock.

Have you borrowed the CO2 meter to see what the levels are in the house? I remember when I was there last the tank is downstairs and built in a wall so curious if there's good outside ventilation or if any of the windows can be cracked open.
Click to expand...

+1 to what he said: drip loops to prevent shortages if there’s any leak or spill.

Phone camera lens changes the photography game.
 
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