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Mike's RS 425XL Build (July, 05/2019)

Great setup! I am curious why you opted to add kalk to your dosing setup when already doing alk and ca. Are you trying to get higher ph, or lessen the amount of 2 part you are using to precipitate less Na-Cl out?
 
Are you trying to get higher ph, or lessen the amount of 2 part you are using to precipitate less Na-Cl out?

Both! my pH always languished - I was only ever able to eek out over 8.2 with the windows open and whole-house fan chugging, but not when house was sealed up when we're all home. With summer here (and potential bad air quality keeping us from opening the house up), I wanted a different way to raise pH and the benefit of reducing 2-part consumption helps!
 
After adding the kalk reactor (I run the same and love it), did you notice any change in your phosphate levels? I understand kalk can cause phosphate to precipitate out of solution but not sure if in a measurable amount?
 
After adding the kalk reactor (I run the same and love it), did you notice any change in your phosphate levels? I understand kalk can cause phosphate to precipitate out of solution but not sure if in a measurable amount?
It supposed to….but Not that I‘ve noticed- but I do dose neophos to stay at .01
 
It's been forever and a day since updating. Tank has been very stable, though I gave up trying to keep NO3 over 10 - no matter how much I add (home made NANO3 and/or Neo-Nitrate), I get a temp bump, then down to 1-2PPM. Addition on Neo-Phos keeps me at .005-.01. I remodeled my cabinet slightly in hopes of clearing out enough space for a Carx, but even with deleting the Alk and Cal dosing jars, no dice. I think I'll have to get a matching side caddy when upgrading.

I have been experiencing good growth in the few months since adding Kalk, and I've added several new wish list pieces since. Next for upgrades, I think i'll switch from WAVs and Gyres to EchoTech MPs - maybe 4 MP40s - 2 for the back and 2 for the sides. I hate unraveling wires to clean the pump heads.

anyway, here is some of my new eye candy! :)





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Beautiful pics ! What type of camera are you using? Tank looks amazing..I just got a 220g few weeks back which will take a bit to get up to speed before I can start putting my other tanks corals in..I moved it with existing fish Plus a few mushrooms rocks from a guy in Novato to my place in Corte Madera..Gota rehome a few coral munchers before the wife gets to attached to them lol....
 
Beautiful pics ! What type of camera are you using? Tank looks amazing..I just got a 220g few weeks back which will take a bit to get up to speed before I can start putting my other tanks corals in..I moved it with existing fish Plus a few mushrooms rocks from a guy in Novato to my place in Corte Madera..Gota rehome a few coral munchers before the wife gets to attached to them lol....
Great to meet a fellow Marin reefer! That 220 will be awesome!

I use my old Nikon D750 Body for these paired mostly with a Nikon 105MM macro lens. I sometimes use a prime 50mm, or a 24-70mm. But the macro lens is pretty great - I still need to learn how to use it better. Depending on light levels, I tripod it, too.
 
Great to meet a fellow Marin reefer! That 220 will be awesome!

I use my old Nikon D750 Body for these paired mostly with a Nikon 105MM macro lens. I sometimes use a prime 50mm, or a 24-70mm. But the macro lens is pretty great - I still need to learn how to use it better. Depending on light levels, I tripod it, too.
What is the coral with the orange polyps. Second photo?
 
It's been forever and a day since updating. Tank has been very stable, though I gave up trying to keep NO3 over 10 - no matter how much I add (home made NANO3 and/or Neo-Nitrate), I get a temp bump, then down to 1-2PPM. Addition on Neo-Phos keeps me at .005-.01. I remodeled my cabinet slightly in hopes of clearing out enough space for a Carx, but even with deleting the Alk and Cal dosing jars, no dice. I think I'll have to get a matching side caddy when upgrading.

I have been experiencing good growth in the few months since adding Kalk, and I've added several new wish list pieces since. Next for upgrades, I think i'll switch from WAVs and Gyres to EchoTech MPs - maybe 4 MP40s - 2 for the back and 2 for the sides. I hate unraveling wires to clean the pump heads.

anyway, here is some of my new eye candy! :)





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Roster of these newbies:

TCK Kaleidoscope (impulse b/c this was dirt cheap being colored down)
WWC Allstar
RRC Rainbow Splice (green side)
TCK Wildcard
TCK Utter Fury
RRC Bleeding Avenger
Vivid Insanity
CB Maleficent (not totally new, but part of upload for some reason)
TCK Devastator
BC Laser Melon
 
Changed over to KZ elements about two months ago from Red Sea Coral Colors due to some inconsistent elements values from last two ICP readings. I did have to dial down the #3 bottle (Aminos) due to a little burn on a couple of coral, but I think I solved that. Other than my female clown knocking stuff around (killed 2 frags and damaged 3 coral on unglued rocks), steady as she goes for the most part.

Here's some recent porn
 

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Changed over to KZ elements about two months ago from Red Sea Coral Colors due to some inconsistent elements values from last two ICP readings. I did have to dial down the #3 bottle (Aminos) due to a little burn on a couple of coral, but I think I solved that. Other than my female clown knocking stuff around (killed 2 frags and damaged 3 coral on unglued rocks), steady as she goes for the most part.

Here's some recent porn
 

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Changed over to KZ elements about two months ago from Red Sea Coral Colors due to some inconsistent elements values from last two ICP readings. I did have to dial down the #3 bottle (Aminos) due to a little burn on a couple of coral, but I think I solved that. Other than my female clown knocking stuff around (killed 2 frags and damaged 3 coral on unglued rocks), steady as she goes for the most part.

Here's some recent porn
Amazing work Mike.
 
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