Time For A Reboot
Over the past 6 months I’ve let the tank “just be” and haven’t had the time or inclination to keep it where or how it should be. This includes fixing problems when I see them.
We are planning on going on a trip for 6 months next year (with someone house sitting) so I’ve had to make a decision – either empty it or fix it. I have chosen the later.
I’ve made a list of to-do’s which I need to get done by March next year (See below).
On a positive note, it’s been 9 months since I last tested the water or checked anything. Below are the results and although not great – they have been stable for the most part.
16/9/18 165 (Alk) 0.70 (PO4) 14 (NO3) 1.028 (Salinity) 515 (Ca) 1500 (Mg)
29/6/19 176 (Alk) 1.02 (PO4) 24 (NO3) 1.201 (Salinity) 458 (Ca) 1600 (Mg)
Temp remains stable at 26.7 +/- 0.2
pH swings between 8.9 and 9 (I need to re calibrate the sensor, but the swings are consistent)
ORP swings between 250 and 260 consistently in direct opposite direction of pH
I’ve swapped the trusty old Tunze 9420 out for a Deltec SC 1660. The Deltec does skim slightly better however it’s far easier to tune to a wet or dry skimmate. Flip side is it also over skims easily.
I’ve bought (2) Profilux 3’s. I have the P3eX running the tank and an older P3 that I use for testing for my new light controller – more on that later. I have a total of 16 switched points and 7 unused dosing heads. I’ve got the pH, ORP and temp probes. The conductivity probe has failed so I will need to replace it. As a separate piece of equipment I also bought a GHL Doser 2.1 Stand Alone which is current running it’s 4 channels dosing. I also purchase 2 x 4 port 1-10v interfaces (giving me a total of 14 x 1-10V ports). I intend to use 9 for my DIY lights and 4 for the Tunze pumps. They last may eventually be used on a return pump in conjunction with a DC return pump.
For the light's I've had to print off more controller boards. These are on the way and should fix the issues with the current light setup. I'll also be swapping from the Bluefish mini to Profilux to control the lights.
To Do’s (over the next 9 months)
Equipment
Livestock
If I can get the above done before we leave on holiday I’ll be a very happy camper…..
We are planning on going on a trip for 6 months next year (with someone house sitting) so I’ve had to make a decision – either empty it or fix it. I have chosen the later.
I’ve made a list of to-do’s which I need to get done by March next year (See below).
On a positive note, it’s been 9 months since I last tested the water or checked anything. Below are the results and although not great – they have been stable for the most part.
16/9/18 165 (Alk) 0.70 (PO4) 14 (NO3) 1.028 (Salinity) 515 (Ca) 1500 (Mg)
29/6/19 176 (Alk) 1.02 (PO4) 24 (NO3) 1.201 (Salinity) 458 (Ca) 1600 (Mg)
Temp remains stable at 26.7 +/- 0.2
pH swings between 8.9 and 9 (I need to re calibrate the sensor, but the swings are consistent)
ORP swings between 250 and 260 consistently in direct opposite direction of pH
- As of today I have turned to ATO off. The Litermeter will effectively be topping off with NSW, raising the salinity slowly over about 1 week I am guessing.
- I’ll dose a few ml’s of Lanthanan Chloride every day until the PO4 drops to around 0.2 – might tale a few weeks based on previous experiences.
I’ve swapped the trusty old Tunze 9420 out for a Deltec SC 1660. The Deltec does skim slightly better however it’s far easier to tune to a wet or dry skimmate. Flip side is it also over skims easily.
I’ve bought (2) Profilux 3’s. I have the P3eX running the tank and an older P3 that I use for testing for my new light controller – more on that later. I have a total of 16 switched points and 7 unused dosing heads. I’ve got the pH, ORP and temp probes. The conductivity probe has failed so I will need to replace it. As a separate piece of equipment I also bought a GHL Doser 2.1 Stand Alone which is current running it’s 4 channels dosing. I also purchase 2 x 4 port 1-10v interfaces (giving me a total of 14 x 1-10V ports). I intend to use 9 for my DIY lights and 4 for the Tunze pumps. They last may eventually be used on a return pump in conjunction with a DC return pump.
For the light's I've had to print off more controller boards. These are on the way and should fix the issues with the current light setup. I'll also be swapping from the Bluefish mini to Profilux to control the lights.
To Do’s (over the next 9 months)
Equipment
- Fix my lights. I am building an Arduino to convert the 1-10v out of the Profilux to a PWM signal to be used by the lights. I have 3 DIY light fixtures daisy chained together with 9 channels.
- Fit skimmer neck cleaner. I purchased an Avast Swabbie from the US – this should significantly automate looking after the tank while we are not home.
- Fit float switch to Skimmer. The skimmer cup is emptied by a Litermeter (set to 2L/day so the cup should be empty). It also has a drain which should start syphoning (because of the loop in the hose) when the cup is about ½ full. If these 2 fail I want the float valve to shut the skimmer off and send me an alert via the Profilux.
- Purchase calibration fluids for ORP, pH and conductivity.
- Replace Conductivity probe.
- Setup webcam so I can remotely visually check equipment and tank.
Livestock
- #1 – a massive war on Aiptasia. I was winning it with my Copper-band over a 6 month period until the fish mysteriously passed away overnight. Not sure whether to add another large Copper-band or File fish. I can’t do peppermint shrimp as the Flame Hawk will just turn it into an expensive meal.
- #2 – Bristle worms. These I am good at growing along with Aiptasia but I think I need to start trapping them and removing them out. Far too many of them
- #3 – add some stock. Once the lights are fixed and I fix my water parameters I’d like to start adding some low maintenance soft corals.
- #4 – possible add some more fish. Definitely a Copper-band or File fish, maybe a few Bangaii Cardinal and a pair of Mandarin fish if I happen across them at a LFS.
If I can get the above done before we leave on holiday I’ll be a very happy camper…..
