| General Reef Discussion In this forum we discuss issues related to keeping marine and reef aquariums in a friendly flame-free environment. |
Registered Members don't see these ads. Register now it's free!
02-23-2004, 04:27 PM
|
#1
|
|
Plankton
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 45
|
look what I came home to....
This tank has a little history....
There's nothing in it so I'm not worried, but.....
Went to bed last night and the water was clear, came home from work today and......
|
|
|
|
Registered Members don't see these ads. Register now it's free!
|
|
|
|
|
02-23-2004, 04:30 PM
|
#2
|
|
Plankton
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: so cal
Posts: 25
|
how deep is your sand bed?
|
|
|
|
|
02-23-2004, 04:36 PM
|
#3
|
|
Plankton
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 45
|
You see, I set this tank up a while ago with mostly poor quality LR and about 30 lbs of good rock. I had it running nicely, good water quality (low ph) but never could figure out why. Anyway, I added a few chromis, some of them kicked it, and then for reasons I won't get into, I let this tank fall away. First my top-off dried up, then my sump, so I turned off the main pump. As the water level dropped in the tank, the water in my sump went to nothing but a salt encased burnt heater. Soon, a family party came around and I had to get the tank looking "presentable" again. Well, in an incredibly stupid move which was done without thinking and in haste, I topped off about half the tank with clean sea water. After time, the water evaportated about half way down again and was kept at a nice 58 degrees. So last weekend, I decided I didn't spend all the money to look at a rotting tank. I cleaned everything replumbed the sump, and added about 45 gallons of fresh RO/DI (SG was 1.06). Everything was going wel and I did some tests last night. The pH was low, a common problem in this tank, and so was calcium. I added the reccomended does of reef complete then reef calcium. All seemed well until today. I guess it's to be expected though. And like I said, thank goodness there was nothing living in the tank.
I hate being irresponsible. But, this tank will look beautiful soon!
Last edited by jeffsreefdotcom; 02-23-2004 at 04:57 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
02-23-2004, 04:38 PM
|
#4
|
|
Plankton
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 45
|
Here's some simple specs.
120 AGA
about 150 lbs fiji LR
crushed coral sand bed with plenum
Aqua C 120 skimmer w/ mag 5
Custom SeaLife velocity T3 return pump.
4 MJ 1200 w/ redsea wavemaker - not running right now.
2 175 W 10000K Ushio w/ 2 65W Actinic PC
Last edited by jeffsreefdotcom; 02-24-2004 at 09:47 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
02-23-2004, 04:45 PM
|
#5
|
|
Nothing to See Here
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Loganville Ga.
Posts: 2,520
|
That looks like what is know as a snow storm, when calcium precipitate out. It often happen when a calcium additive interacts with a PH buffer of Alk additive.
|
|
|
|
|
02-23-2004, 04:52 PM
|
#6
|
|
Plankton
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 45
|
That's what I thought, but I hadn't used a buffer or alk additive. the alk was at 2.9.
|
|
|
|
|
02-23-2004, 10:21 PM
|
#7
|
|
senior member
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Walnut Grove, SC, USA
Posts: 13,424
|
-delete post-
__________________
Tom <"))))>(
(TDWyatt)
Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something. -Plato
|
|
|
|
|
02-23-2004, 10:46 PM
|
#8
|
|
It can be rebuilt.
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Pittsboro, NC
Posts: 19,158
|
so, what are all of your water parameters now? could you tell us about the tank itself: size, lighting, filtration?
my first guess would be to get all of the parameters up to normal. once that is done let it sit and cycle again for a couple of months, without fish, just the LR. at that point the tank should be looking pretty good and ready for clean up critters.
G~
__________________
Think Tanker
Friends Don't Let Friends Use Refugiums!
Reef Knowledge Impaired
"J" crowd member.
My Build Thread
|
|
|
|
|
02-24-2004, 12:24 AM
|
#9
|
|
http://atlanta-smas.org/
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: auburn
Posts: 1,688
|
if your salinity is really 1.06. you have a freshwater tank. everything is dead or dieing
|
|
|
|
|
02-24-2004, 05:04 AM
|
#10
|
|
Eat more PIE
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Florida Panhandle
Posts: 18,597
|
are you sure you are ready for a sw tank? Nothing in it and already being neglected?
__________________
Double your drive space. Delete Windows
|
|
|
|
|
02-24-2004, 07:56 AM
|
#11
|
|
Pretty In Pink
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: portland or
Posts: 3,168
|
I'm with you Casey 
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
02-24-2004, 09:40 AM
|
#12
|
|
Plankton
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 45
|
Yes, I'm pretty sure I'm ready.
I've kept FOWLR tanks for about 6 years, and have a very healthy 37G with xenia and kenya's that won't stop multiplying, some blue and green mushrooms, toadstools, and some other softies. The only problem in that tank is a few PITA aiptasia.
I bought this tank, set it up and only had the few chromis in it. I let it go because I was very busy with work and also had a financial situation to take care of. Anyway, I don't need to sit here and make excuses for you guys, although I do appreciate the concern. I'm ready and able to make the commitment to this tank again, and I thought I'd share it with you guys.
I hadn't planned on adding anything to this tank because I am moving in a few months, and I just want to get it stable, healthy, and have the LR back in good shape.
~Jeff
I'll post some of the parameters later tonight when I do more tests. Please refer to the above post for tank specs.
Last edited by jeffsreefdotcom; 02-24-2004 at 09:45 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
02-24-2004, 10:16 AM
|
#13
|
|
Plankton
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 45
|
Quote:
Originally posted by wasabi
if your salinity is really 1.06. you have a freshwater tank. everything is dead or dieing
|
not to be confrontational, but I believe 1.06 is too high. I like to keep my tanks about 1.024
Last edited by jeffsreefdotcom; 02-24-2004 at 10:19 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
02-24-2004, 02:38 PM
|
#14
|
|
http://atlanta-smas.org/
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: auburn
Posts: 1,688
|
sorry, i was thinking 1.006 either way everything is dead or **** near it
|
|
|
|
|
02-24-2004, 02:46 PM
|
#15
|
|
Ughhh.. Dinoflagelettes..
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Yardley, PA
Posts: 1,262
|
Got any pics of that Kenya that keeps multiplying????
__________________
Come Join Us
|
|
|
|
|
