Doc's Reef

[drdude05]

It looks bluer in the pictures for some reason than it actually does in person. It is more of a blue/white when you are looking at the tank in person. I might need to fix the white balance on my camera.

[aquawolf]

Great job on the new lighting, and the recovery appears to be coming along very nicely.

[drdude05]

Great job on the new lighting, and the recovery appears to be coming along very nicely.

Thanks Aquawolf ... I've been making sure to take my time with the recovery. The tank didn't get into the state it was in overnight and it isn't going to correct overnight. I'm having a really hard time getting my Mg levels up to 1300 and getting them to stay there. The best that I've topped out at is 1160ppm after that it doesn't seem to rise further as thested by my Salifert test kit. But it will sure drop like a rock if left alone.

[aquawolf]

You are going about things the right way with the slow and steady approach. I wish you continued success with it, and am looking forward to the day when you post pictures after a full recovery.

[drdude05]

You are going about things the right way with the slow and steady approach. I wish you continued success with it, and am looking forward to the day when you post pictures after a full recovery.

Thanks ... I really appreciate the encouragement!!

[drdude05]

Well, today was a big work day for the tank. Lots to do ... and quite a few things got done today.

1. Finished another 40 gallon water change. My most recent tank levels are: Ca - 385 ppm, Alk 2.90 meq/L, Mg - 1085 ppm, NO3 - 0 ppm, PO4 - 0. Of course I know that the 0 ppm PO4 isn't really accurate and that I have plenty of PO4 that is bound ... but at least it's not off the charts like it was a month ago.

2. As part of the water change, I worked on correcting my SG a little more. Currently, it is at 1.023 and I like to keep it around 1.024 -1.025. I just made my new seawater a little saltier ... been doing this slowly over the past month and have gotten the level nearly fixed.

3. Removed the Phosban reactor that hasn't been working for ... oh ... about a year now and gave it a good overdue cleaning. I replaced the reactor media with Phosban ... a small amount that made ... oh about 3/4" deep layer in the reactor. I replaced the feed pump that died with a MJ400 that supplies about 110 gph, then cut the flow back with the inlet valve to the point that the media is just barely "bubbling" with the water current input. I plan to run this in two day "bursts" for the next few weeks to try and take some more of the PO4 out of the system.

4. I also got to the stand project that I have been putting off. The hinges on the doors have been rusting and the doors themselves have needed a good cleaning to remove all the salt build up. I got the first of the three doors finished today. Took it off the hinges and sanded it down to get all the salt off of it. Then I wiped it down good and gave it three coats of exterior gloss white paint. Finally, I got all three hinges replaced with new hardware. One door down ... two to go!

[drdude05]

As an aside, I thought I would profile my helper for today ...



This is his "Daddy ... aren't we done yet? Thomas the tank engine is on!!!" look.

This was followed shortly with his "Ok, I'm serious ... we've been working all day and I'm not missing my TV show!!" look.


I have to admit ... he did have on appropriately themed attire today!

When I still han't moved fast enough for him ... he jumped ship on me and started attending to running his railway.

[drdude05]

I just got a call from my wife. She says that little man has been going around all morning saying "I hep daddy fix tank", "I fix memo (nemo)". Apparently he did have some fun playing in the water yesterday.

[crvz]

Originally Posted by drdude05

I just got a call from my wife. She says that little man has been going around all morning saying "I hep daddy fix tank", "I fix memo (nemo)". Apparently he did have some fun playing in the water yesterday.

Well done.

[aquawolf]

Great little helper and it is really cool that he enjoyed working with you like that.

[YLChik]

thumbs up all around! I just finished reading start to finish and I LOVE the clean up on all those wires - thanks for explaining it for those of us that just don't think like that - SOOO very helpful!!!

and WHAT A CUTIE! I fix nemo!!!! I love it!

[drdude05]

Well done.

That's right ... I'm starting him early.

[drdude05]

Great little helper and it is really cool that he enjoyed working with you like that.

I know ... I was really happy when she called to tell me. He's getting to the age where he's not only helpful, but fun to have help me.

[drdude05]

thumbs up all around! I just finished reading start to finish and I LOVE the clean up on all those wires - thanks for explaining it for those of us that just don't think like that - SOOO very helpful!!!

Thanks Amy ... that's why I post ... hopefully someone benefits from all the documenting and sees that DIY isn't as scary.

and WHAT A CUTIE! I fix nemo!!!! I love it!

I know ... is that awesome or what. I love being a Dad!!!

[aquawolf]

Today was Take Our Children to Work day for us, and my son had a great time. I am exhausted and cannot wait to go back to work tomorrow just so I can get some rest.