bbyatv

This article from RHF might help? When Do Calcium and Alkalinity Demand Not Exactly Balance? http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-12/rhf/index.htm Good Luck, Bruce

Sorry to hear about the loss. I know the feeling all to well. Here is a link to an article that describes how I use a kalk stirrer and calc reactor in combination to accomplish what your goals seem to be (i.e. higher pH and stable parameters). I hope it offer some ideas. https://reefs.com/magazine/the-kalk-calc-combo-method-185.html/ Hopefully you do not lose anything else., Good Luck, Bruce

Looks great. Super clean.

Thanks guys.

That is so true. I am constantly looking for the pdf. Bruce

So cool. Reefs.com magazine picked up the article I wrote on the method I use to maintain water parameters. https://www.reefs.com/magazine/the-kalk-calc-combo-method-185.html/ This is a first for me. Thanks to all of the members who have helped me over the years in developing this system. Bruce

So I just found a real good android app that can alert you via sms text message or email that the power is out in your house. It also pings you multiple times a day to let you know it is running and active. The way it works is if the android device becomes unplugged or the power goes out, it sends a text message and email alerting of the problem. I used an old android smart phone to load the app. This phone does not have an active SIM card so it cannot send text messages in my case, but it does have wifi and so it can send emails. I added a UPS to the wifi router so when the power goes out it can keep running for a bit. It only needs to stay running long enough for the phone to send the email. I already had a fairly big UPS on a couple of power heads in the tank. Bang! It works like a charm. I unplugged the UPS with the router connected and the phone and I got an email in about 10 seconds. Then when I plug things back in I get another message saying the power is back on. If the power goes down while I am at work, I now can get my butt home fast and get things straight. Here is a link to the app. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sqzsoft.powerfailuremonitor&hl=en I tried the other android power outage apps and none were as good as the one I provided the link to. Also, I paid the $1.99 to get rid of the adds. There is a free version. I also looked for an Ios app and there is not one. There are a couple that will sound an alarm, but not send emails or text messages. So for $1.99, the cost of a cheap UPS, and an old cell phone, I have a reliable power outage alert system. And it does not require a phone line in the house. Bruce

I am not in support of feeding more. I feed my 150g tank once a day very lightly (2 cubes of brine and a pinch of flake) and my fish, corals and macro are growing well without any nuisance algae to speak of. Bruce

Oh ya, One other thing I do is I have 6 air stones pumping outside air into the sump right into the middle of the macro wad. This is meant to try and blow off CO2 and keep my pH at 8.2, but maybe it helps the macro as well? Bruce

Hmmmm? Does it have room to grow? Other than that, I am out of ideas. Bruce

Oh ya, and you are welcome to stop by and talk reef any time. I would look forward to it. Bruce

Thanks for the feedback on the AA article. Such an honor. Here is the bulb I use: https://www.lowes.ca/fluorescent-light-bulbs/utilitech-2-pack-23-watt-120w-par38-medium-base-soft-white-2700k-indoor-cfl-bulbs_g1357640.html The differences I see are that the ones I use have built in reflectors and are 2,700k instead of 6,500k. At 2,700k they are a bit warmer. This migh be what the macro likes? Bruce

Come grab some of mine. It grows super fast. Bruce

Here is a link to an article I wrote that has a section on an easy DIY ATO. It also explains how you can determine how much evaporation you have each day. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5QJJLprX7aQclZsN2pyLU1zTU0/view?pli=1 Bruce

I have found the best way to beat algae is by using macro algae to starve it out. I run two power compact florescent bulbs (23 watts each) over the refugium and it grows my macro like crazy. I farm it out every weekend. By that I mean I take out a huge wad and make room for the next weeks growth. Making room is key to keeping this stuff growing. Along with this, I run a skimmer, and a little GFO and GAC 24 hours a day. I do 10% water changes once a week and use RO/DI water for top off and water changes. A good clean up crew does not hurt. And don't let the bulbs go over a year old. The big one in my opinion is farming the macro. I do not test for anything but Mg and KH once a week. If your using 2 part you might need to test Ca as well. Good luck, Bruce

Wow! 99. Sorry to hear about the loss. Let me know if you need some corals to get going again. Bruce