wasp

What is wrong with Salifert Phosphate Killer?

Oops, thanks Fay, I see it now.

Hi Fay, Many people have an alkalinity higher than NSW in order to increase ease of calcification, and hold PH up. However if using zeovit, it is important to go with the zeovit recommended levels. These are calcium between 420 and 440, and alkalinity between 6.5 and 7.5. If Keeping alkalinity at precise levels is difficult, is better to err on the side of higher. Here is the zeovit manual, which will run you through it all http://www.captiveoceans.com/ZEOvit%20Guide1.pdf

So the unskimmed tanks have no fish? What about chemical filtration?

Interesting theory Layton, may be onto something there!

OK I'll post results when done.

Actually I've just noticed, you say your calcium is now 450, a drop from 620. That is more realistic, in fact if you could maintain that and your kh, you'll have excellent levels. How are you dosing calcium?

As per earlier post, you really do need to check your water with another kit. This just does not sound real.

Can't test the Hagen as I have no new stuff, it's all in the tank. I do have some of that bagged Jansens stuff which would be interesting to test. What's the procedure? Soak in water for a couple of days and then test the water?

Yikes! That's what I've been using.

Oh that's interesting about the carbon, better know what to avoid what brand was it?

That's very interesting Rnb, I'll bet the thought of adding a secret compartment to your travel bag occured to you :lol: I'll have to have a good mull through that site when I have time. My wife is in Melbourne at the moment, she rang up and said she went to a marine shop and was amazed at what she saw. She does not know the names but said there were beautiful corals at really cheap prices. Probably because no QT and other expensive procedures required.

That's funny Ira!! :lol: :lol:

Just before you all have a skimmer burning party, the makers of Miracle Mud now recommend, and in fact sell, their own skimmer, to go with the system. It was earlier days they recommended no skimmer, the system has been refined. However, there are still many "old school" type Miracle Mud users who have no skimmer and still have nice tanks.

Something like that, I'll have to spend a bit of time on it. Anyhow here's another couple of older pics, this one of assorted softies And this one of my clowns

Thanks for the kind words Brian! Actually some issues with the camera, cannot get good definition in tank shots, and what REALLY bugs me is it will not get florescent colours, they just come out flat, which detracts a surprising amount from the appearance. Having said all that, it is a cheaply built and maintained tank, I think the difference between a tank like mine and the really good ones is money. Because the sky is the limit with this hobby I have set myself a budget for the tank, I like the tank, but would not want family or anything to go without. That's why I'm selling frags, goes a long way to paying for the hobby.

Here it is a few months later. Still only filtration is a home modified queen skimmer & algae in the sump. It's starting to clean up a bit but not on zeovit yet. BTW I've figured out that size thing.

Pal I wouldn't know whatevatheheck size they are. How do I know that?

Yes nice tank. I'm surprised he is allowing that huge leather in there alongside the sps, thought there could be a risk of toxins to them. Well, it works, anyway.

Well like I said it won't win any awards, or maybe LBTOTM (Low budget tank of the month) This pic is about a year old, been a few changes since, when my wife returns from her overseas trip (Alright for some) with the camera I'll get some new ones to post in that picture forum. This one was just a test to see if it would work. I did this with that photobucket thing you suggested Reef, can I do it just the same in the picture forum?

Where's the instructions how to actually post the pic?

OK well I hardly think mine will make tank of the month, but I'll see if I can get techno enough to post a pic!

Hi Fay, I'm not totally familiar with what you're doing and your system, however I would hazard a guess that dosing start twice daily will help, and turn off the skimmer for an hour when you dose bac and food, but no need when you dose start. Seems to me your nutrients are way higher than should be expected at this time, wonder if your zeo rock is already exhausted and could use a change. But start is the big Po4 killer, so dosing that twice daily may help. Just monitor the Po4 as when it does start to drop, if there is a sudden sharp drop to almost zero, can damage some of your livestock. Also, are you cycling your reactor on 3 off 3? It is the anearobic stage that will really pull nutrients down. Also people measure what they should dose by tank size. But really the nutrients are created by what we feed the tank, not how big the tank is. So if you have a big bioload and feed heavily, may need to look at treating as if a larger tank. Hope that is some help, and that nobody going to kill me if I got it all wrong

Chris, the bleeder tube is meant to be fitted to the venturi of a powerhead, below the tank waterline. Provided it is below the waterline, their will be no way for air to enter, power off or not. Having said that, I'd have to concur with David, can be more complex than drilling the tank. However, if drilling for some reason is not possible, then this system, set up right, is almost foolproof.

Hmmm.... Well I better admit it, I'm a user. A little slow coming forward because of the current climate around here, guys trying to kill each other and everything. All I'll say is it is working well for me, but that does not mean I'm going to disparage miracle mud, which is also a fine method when done right. There's other users also, I suspect if people can lighten up a bit they may feel free to come forward. It is said there is more than one way to skin a cat, and there is also more than one way to keep a reef. Peace and love, a zeovit user.