Oh the things we do for this hobby....

DRC Archive Member Tanks
1

Have the wife doing the “Lab work” today. Nothing like a desk full of reagents, and the magnesium test kit isn’t even opened yet!

This is actually the 1st time we’re measuring Calcium/KH/Magnesium/Phosphate so let me know what you guys think. It appears everything is within acceptable limits except for the Calcium.

pH: 8.1
NH3/4: 0
N02: 0
N03: 10ppm
CA: 320
KH: DKH of 9 or 161.1ppm
MG: 1470ppm
P04: roughly .10ppm

I’m using Seachem’s iPhone app called “Dose” for dosage recommendations. Since the Calc is so low, I’m going with the bottles recommendation of not doing more than 10g per day. The app is suggesting:

2

PO4 is high you really want your PO4 no higher than .04

3

Hmmm, might be time to get a reactor to run the carbon in (instead of a sock), and throw some GFO in there too. Thanks Hudzon.

4

A small reactor and some phosguard or other phosphate removal media would work better than carbon.

I’d also suggest NOT testing on the computer desk. I dripped reagent (forget which one) on one of the keys on my keyboard and it’s now a bright white key in the middle of a black keyboard. Some of the chemicals we use in this hobby are highly caustic.

5

Good point Craig, noted! Sodium Hydroxide (Calcium Test) and Sulfuric Acid (Phosphate Test). I wonder how many holes I’ll have in my pants from drying the test tubes’ external surfaces today. GREAAAaaaat! I was also told that if you get the calcium powder on your hands, get it all off before washing your hands as the addition of water activates it, and can burn your skin.

LOL, the title of this post is more and more appropriate!

-Rob

6

Rob, how did you manage to get your wife to test the water for you? verdict_in mine wouldn’t even go near the test kit it self.

[quote=“Faralon, post:5, topic:6174”]
LOL, the title of this post is more and more appropriate!

-Rob[/quote]

The title should read, " Oh the things my wife do for me for this hobby…" ::rofl:: ::rofl:: ::rofl::

7

Yup. Like “A” said, She’s a Keeper!

8

Haha, thanks guys.

Hey, when I mixed up the 1st 10g of Calcium, it kinda smelled like rotten eggs, (Sulfur).

That normal?

9

What type of calcium are you using? how were you dosing it before? or is this the first time you’re doing it? what is your plan on how to dose it?

10

I’m not sure if this got moved to “Member Tanks” or what, but If I originally posted this here, my apologies! Meant it for the General Discussion forum.

A, sorry, by 10g, I meant 10grams, not gallons. I’m following the directions on the container, its Seachem: Reef Advantage Calcium. I’m adding the maximum of 10grams per day until I reach the goal of 420. Once there, I hope to mix the calcium with my daily top off water and adjust as necessary to maintain that 420. Once I get used to dosing I might switch to a BRS 2 part or kalkwasser system. I want to make sure I’m able to maintain pH/hardness/magnesium while dosing.

11

I would also wear gloves while using the testing reagents/acids. There was always a reason to “suit up” for chemistry labs.

12

Once you have reached your goal of 420 on the calcium, you will not need to add some calcium to your daily top off water. Simply because your coral demand right now for calcium is very low and therefore it will take awhile for the calcium level to drop to a low reading. the more corals you add that need calcium, the faster the level will drop.
So I would test the calcium level, once a week, and then see how much your level changes in that period. Then you can supplement your top off water accordingly.

13

Once you have your Ca and Alk where you want them, you would be better served to add a little kalk to your top off water, it’s a great balance of both Ca and Alk. It doesn’t go far in elevating them, but will help to maintain then between WC’s. You will need to get the PO4 down though, since at that level it will impede calcification.