reef

I have already done tests. Both read about he same but the DELTEC test kit is cheaper and i could do 3 test compared to the hannah meters one. Does it really matter if you phostphates are .1 or .14 etc, the fact you get a reading on any test kit means you have high phostphates. Phostphates can be about .1ppm in soft coral tanks, but if keeping acropora zero phostphates is a must.

Pics of photo meter and Deltec test kit. the photo meter is a bit of a pain as you have to wait 3 mins to get a result, also have to do a few other things to get a result. The merck kit is way better and only takes about 1 min to get a result, still think the salifert kit is more than good enough , even though it is hard to read It just comes down on how big a wallet you have.

The Detec/Merck test kit is accurate i gave you the resuts done in Germany. But it cost 1/4 of the price of a color meter. I though is might interest you as you always are looking for cheap stuff or free. Have you thought about making a DIY test kit so we can all save money. It is made by merck who who supply labs around the world , The test kit cost over $350 when branded under Merck. I dont have any interest in the test kit as i dont sell it. Just because i promote something does not mean i sell it.

Here is the test results from the hannah color meter. Solution 1 (0.05 mg) Solution 2 (0.10 mg) Solution 3 (0.25 mg) Solution 4 (1.0 mg) Hanna photometer 1 0.13 mg 0.06 mg 0.38 mg 1.16 mg Hanna photometer 2 0.14 mg 0.11 mg 0.42 mg 1.19 mg It is not that accurate after all. Back to test kits.

some advice. I tried electronic ballast, they were not that good as they drove the lamps too hard and caused problems with my aquarium computer etc. The lamps were driven so hard that the 14k bulbs went white, Digital ballast are better. Get some Tunze streams, you wont regrete it.

That is a big tank, hope you have a $20k plus budget.

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Can tell by you tank pics. does not look good.

Dave Holden , want anymore names.

And the result was???????????

Still waiting on what the reading of phostphates was at takapuna beach using r&bs color meter.

If you look back at the forum this has been covered, It terms of my advice it is hit and miss, you might be ok most of the time but I have had few hobbyist claim that they will never use sea water again due to the problems they have had. If you lived up north I would say that is ok, but takapuna beach?? I don’t think so. I just tested the phosphates at takapuna and it was .1 ppm ok for leathers but no good for arcopora. Been to Takapuna a few times and on some occasions something was smelling bad Beaches that are close to populated areas have a high organics which is Dissolved organic matter which will cause algae problems in a new reef tank.

just was going to say the same thing. The fact that you get a slight blue colour on the salifert test kit it means you have a problem, it does not matter that it is .03, .1 etc. any colour means you have too much phostphates. I think the salifert test kits are more than enough for aquarium purpose, Even if you cant get a exact color match.

The Merke/Deltec test kit will go down to .008mg/l .

Can’t compare the Deltec with JBL test kits as they are not the same quality. The Deltec is far more accurate. They are pricey however as you said they work out about the same per test. The test kits are not available in NZ. I had to order mine from the UK.

The Deltec will do a 100 tests. i think the color meter does about 100. It uses hannah test solution which is about $40, so the Deltec works out much cheaper as you dont have to spend over $300 just to get the meter. You can get refills for the Deltec test.

and you can add. mind blowing stuff. The colour meter wont go down to .008, The test kit is also cheaper.

Finally got the new Deltec phosphate test kit which is a rebadged Merck test kits, Lab grade. Will read as low as .008 Very impressed as it is very easy to read between the colours. I compared it with the quality Salifert phosphate kit and got about the same answer. Whilst I rate Salifert as one of the best phosphate kits on the NZ market, the Deltec is better to read, however there is a big cost difference. Salifert cost about $30 and the Deltec cost about $100.

Low iron glass is available in 12mm as i have it on my tank. SGG Diamant® is just one of the options for the use of flat glass in furniture manufacturing. - SGG Diamant® transmits up to 92% of visible light, depending on thickness. - SGG Diamant® is a high quality clear float glass with exceptional clarity and high light transmission. Often called "low-iron" or "extra white" because it does not have the dark green tint characteristic of ordinary clear float glass when viewed from the edge. - SGG Diamant® can be used single- or double-glazed. Especially suitable in applications where high visual clarity and minimal color distortion is required such as display cabinets, shop fronts, in banks, or public buildings. SGG Diamant® is also used in solar panels. Ideal in security glazing when thick laminated constructions are required. Features and Benefits - Exceptionally high light transmittance gives clear and undistorted vision and maximizes natural daylight. It minimizes the barrier between the interior and exterior environment and between items on display and the observer. - Prevents color distortion. - Optimizes solar gain in solar panels. - Can be laminated to provide safety, security and added acoustic performance as well as to stop fading of paintings, fabrics and furnishings by ultra-violet radiation. - Can be tempered for safety performance and to improve physical and thermal strength. - Can be curved to achieve exciting design effects. - Can be incorporated in double-glazed units to provide multi-functional glazing including solar control, thermal insulation, acoustic insulation, safety and security glazing. NOTE: This glass is not totally colorless and a light green tint will become more apparent when viewed in larger pieces against a dark background SGG Diamant® Stocked Dimensions Thickness Maximum Size 6mm - 1/4" 78 3/4" x 126" 10mm - 3/8" 78 3/4" x 126" 12mm - 1/2" 78 3/4" x 126" 19mm - 3/4" 78 3/4" x 126" The photo above shows both SGG Diamant® and ordinary clear glass . The glass on the bottom is ordinary transparent glass. Note the green edge. The glass on top is SGG Diamant®. Note the clearer edges as compared to the greener edges of regular glass.

Thats incorrect, i have easy kept acropora under t5s and found that some hard coral did much better under t5s than metal halide.

good stuff . Hopefully the aquaculture pricing is in nz dollars not us dollars. that is expensive.

Will be ok with 12mm as the tank is not that high., but 15mm should have a much better safety factor. Maybe use 12mm and get a 15mm base. Nice size tank, is it going to be a reef tank??

why would a closed loop leak? If it was done correctly it will not leak. to make sure you could tap all the joins with electrical tape to stop them from leaking.

Finally updated my tank pics Click on links, then alois http://www.aqua.net.nz