30 Gallon Adventure: R

[Phyl]

The problem with IO is that it is going to produce results largely in keeping with the results you have now. Low Ca, low Mg. So you can either use better salt (long run?) or pick up the additives you need to get the Ca/Alk/Mg up where you need them to be (Bionic sells all 3 components).

 

[Ryan88]

Alright Phyl. Adding things like that never worked for me, all the way back to my beginning FW days. I would honestly like to do the salt option. In saying that, you'd be suggesting that mixing it with the RO water I would be getting the same results now? If that is going to hold true, then maybe I should go with the additives.

 

[Phyl]

Use your current salt, get your current results--within reason. You could try it and test the fresh mixed water. That would let you see whether or not the water change is likely to help. If not go ahead and use the B-Ionic.

 

[Ryan88]

Alright so I could basically just pout the freshwater into a bucket and then add the salt as directed and then test the mixture to see how the results are?

 

[Phyl]

Put enough salt in to measure 1.025 at 78* and then check the results.

 

[JRWOHLER]

Yep just mix your salt like doing a water change and then test that water when it is up to 78 degrees before you do your water change. If the CA and MG are low then you either have the choice of getting new salt or supplementing your mix.(PS expect them to be low but you will see what Phyl is talking about)

 

[Ryan88]

Ok great, I had a really busy day so maybe I'll do that tomorrow. I'll make my own mix with the salt I have and then test it. If its still low I'll just supplement the water I have in the display tank now.

 

[Ryan88]

Ok so little update: I checked the salt that I have and its only instant ocean so its just the sea salt. I read all about the Seachem Reef Salt. It seems to be my best option. I want to do this once and do it right. I think going to Trop. this week and getting the Reef Salt then mixing that with my water and adding the mixture after I do a significant water change. I was thinking of maybe taking out about taking out 10 G out of the 30 G system, What do you guys think about my ideas?

 

[JerseyWendy]

Taking out 10 out of 30 will make a difference, I'm pretty sure. Perhaps you can make another batch right afterwards though, so in case your parameters aren't where you would like them, you have enough water to make another change, to possibly get them to acceptable levels (for corals).

Question for you: Do you have RO/DI water to mix the salt with?

One last thing, most of us reefers rely on supplementing CA and dKh, as corals will use it up. So it's not a bad thing to add them to your tank.

 

[Ryan88]

Sounds good thanks Wendy. And Yes I'll only be using RO/DI water to mix with. I'll just pick up the reef salt this week, either Seachem or Red Coral I think the name is. And if the supplements are a good idea then I'll certainly add them when neccessary. Also another question, How often should I be testing the CA and dKh?

 

[jonathan.]

Taking out 10 out of 30 will make a difference, I'm pretty sure. Perhaps you can make another batch right afterwards though, so in case your parameters aren't where you would like them, you have enough water to make another change, to possibly get them to acceptable levels (for corals).

Question for you: Do you have RO/DI water to mix the salt with?

One last thing, most of us reefers rely on supplementing CA and dKh, as corals will use it up. So it's not a bad thing to add them to your tank.

You RO/DI people make me giggle. I use straight tap water aged for a day or two!

 

[Hawkeye]

Taking out 10 out of 30 will make a difference, I'm pretty sure. Perhaps you can make another batch right afterwards though, so in case your parameters aren't where you would like them, you have enough water to make another change, to possibly get them to acceptable levels (for corals).

Question for you: Do you have RO/DI water to mix the salt with?

One last thing, most of us reefers rely on supplementing CA and dKh, as corals will use it up. So it's not a bad thing to add them to your tank.

You RO/DI people make me giggle. I use straight tap water aged for a day or two!

i got away with that with manhattan, water - but I don't see how that is possible in nj...not in my town at least...(triple digit tds).

 

[jonathan.]

Taking out 10 out of 30 will make a difference, I'm pretty sure. Perhaps you can make another batch right afterwards though, so in case your parameters aren't where you would like them, you have enough water to make another change, to possibly get them to acceptable levels (for corals).

Question for you: Do you have RO/DI water to mix the salt with?

One last thing, most of us reefers rely on supplementing CA and dKh, as corals will use it up. So it's not a bad thing to add them to your tank.

Never checked mine, to be honest. I live right on the shore and we tend to have nicer water somehow it seems than other towns.

But I would obviously never recommend it. I just think I got lucky. My SPS (well, before my tank crash which was my mistake!) flourished in it, surprisingly. I think I'm just lucky, however.
You RO/DI people make me giggle. I use straight tap water aged for a day or two!

i got away with that with manhattan, water - but I don't see how that is possible in nj...not in my town at least...(triple digit tds).

 

[Ryan88]

I am now getting the brown algae on the sides of my tank. I cleaned it with a magnet scrubber I had from my FW setup. It seemed to do the job, and after that I did my water change so hopefully the water will get clearer.

 

[RichT]

The brown algae is most likely diatoms. A natural and usually unavoidable part of the tank cycle.

 

[Ryan88]

So your saying the tank is cycling AGAIN? lol It is because of the new lights?

 

[Phyl]

Yes, it is part of starting up a new tank. The new lights are causing algae to grow faster (I'm pretty sure I warned you this would happen). Once the food source for the algae is consumed the diatoms should die off.

 

[Ryan88]

Its been so long since Ive posted, due to the fact things have been CRAZY. Anyways, I am still dealing with the brown film on the walls of my tank. I clean it with my magnet cleaner almost everyday. Other then that everything is good. Any tips for trying to eliminate this pest? I read something on here it may have to do with silica? Anyways if anyone has any advice please post it up!

 

[Phyl]

Cleaning the glass is part of owning a tank. Every other day, every three days, once a week... whatever. It will be part of your tank maintenance on some level forever. You may find reducing your silicates helps.

 

[calaxa]

How big of a CUC do you have? Adding enough snails can help.