melev

I recently had an alkalinity swing creep up on my reef. Normally I like to keep the tank around 8 dKH, and yesterday I noticed the duncans in my frag tank (part of the same system) were closed up. One bad habit I've developed over the years is to watch the corals for indication of problems instead of water tests each Saturday like I used to perform. I need to get better about that. I did a quick check with my Elos Alkalinity test kit and was shocked when it hit 21 dKH. So I tested again, and ...

New video posted on the melevsreef youtube channel. This just gives you about five minutes' to view my reeflings.

The reef continues to do well. I mentioned on the first what I'd done for the reef. I treated the tank with Phosphate Rx to knock down PO4, and have pretty much only kept up with wiping the glass down every couple of days. The CO2 tank ran dry so last Friday I refilled it at the liquor store, which maintains the lower pH in the calcium reactor around the clock. I'm keeping that level at 7.0 to dissolve the media gradually.

Here are a few pictures. Note the clarity of the water ...

Over the last couple of months, I've been busy with work and physical therapy to strengthen muscles in my back that are meant to work with my neck. The surgery corrected one area, but lots of exercises and frequent walks are helping improve and loosen up my neck and upper back muscles. I'm constantly having to remind myself about my posture, most importantly at my computer. (Don't slouch, you'll regret it later!)

My reef is on auto-pilot and I don't do much in it. Maybe once a week ...

I snapped a few pictures today. Here's a view from the end of the 400g.

The left end is looking nicer but I need to tidy it up.

The skunk clownfish are still grouped, but during the daytime they like to spread out. If you can spot the Torch coral in the background on the green Montipora plate, you'll spy one under the torch.

I ...