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Need help with multiple stuff! please! had a Crisis.

S

ssm05rsx

I don't play tricks like other people trying to get them to help them out with a unique title :) haha.

But anyway.

Yesterday I had a heat spike in my 90Gal Tank. The temperature went up to about 87 degrees, So, I stabilized it and got everything going,

Most coral looks ok, except for my tree or colt coral, and my new Monti Cap . All live stock is ok and been accounted for except for my two Skunk Cleaner Fish . But what I want to ask is what should I invest my money into.

So Now it comes to the point where I need to make some changes. I never had enough room in So I am going to built something like a cabinet that extends off the side of my fish tank stand under a window (kinda like a kitchen cabinet, where I'll be able to fit more stuff under it)

I need some help with what to put underneath it and what products.. I'm on a low crappy Best Buy income.. Poor college student (this may not be the best of hobby for me hahhaha oh well.)

So I'll make a auto top off unit for my tank.

Then I want to stop dosing so much Calcium and DKH
what should I get a A Kalkreactor/Kalkwasser or Calcium Reactor (but then I'd need to use C02 too with the CA Reactor)

Or a Chiller (I think I might be able to wait on this though)? I Think I can get the temperature to stablize to 80-81 on a normal summer day, but on a hot day might get to 83. Should I just put more fans in my Canopy? I already have 3 very fast 120mm Computer fans that make alot of noise I think theyre around 87-90ish CFM

Are there good heaters that will heat the Tanks only if need be if it goes below say 78 Degrees? If so what type?

And should I be looking into like a Reef Keeper Lite?

Thanks for your time guys.

- Dan
 
mikem

mikem

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Any controller is a good investment.
Do you have a sump to run bigger fans in?
Top Off unit is a big help. You can also mix Kalk in the top off. Let it settle and use the clear water for topping off. This way you wouldn't need a Calc or Kalk reactor.
 
S

ssm05rsx

Can you explain more about mixing kalk in with the auto top off? I'm going to build my stand to hold a pretty large bucket of water, hopefully over 5 gallons. Then have some room for other stuff. If i can save the money and not buy a kalk reactor, I will possibly buy a Reef Keeper Lite, or put the money back into my car repair fund lol.

Any write ups on how to make a auto top off? lol.
 
C

cathym1078

The auto top off is a cheap investment. I suggest you get this since it will help keep the salinity and pH level steady.

You can always dose using liquid additives. I myself don't want to have to get C02 tank, etc. It will clutter the living room, which is where my tank is at.

I would worry more about the fluctuating temperature. I suggest you get a chiller since the summer months are approaching. If you want to ensure that both your heater and the chiller work well together, you need to buy a controller. Together this may ran you around 700 + depending on the brand and the chiller capacity (1/10, 1/15, etc). Good luck.
 
S

ssm05rsx

After doing some research online and talking to my brother ralph, we've come up with an idea for the system.

I was thinking about getting a ReefKeeper Lite Level 3 and running an ATO off of that. By using that I would be able to have better control of the temps in my tank - not to mention controlling the evap on the tank.
After that is done, I could always invest in a ca reactor or look into dosing kalk in with my top off water - though i would need some pointers on that.
As for a chiller, not sure if thats in the budget right now. Might just have to run the ac lower in the heat of summer cause I dont think my parents would like that idea too much. College kid reefing at its finest! haha

Right now I just dose ca and alk and the ca reactor sounded like a good deal if I could get it working correctly.

Mike - yea the system is a 90g DT with a 29g sump. I need to update my sig cause it still lists the old 55g tank. Right now two fans are in the canopy and I have one extra that can be put in the sump to cool down the tank further.
 
mikem

mikem

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Run the fan across the sump. That should bring the temp. down a few degrees.
As soon as I get a chance, I'll look for a link on how to top off using Kalk and RO/DI.
 
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