Water Chemistry

Yesterday the doorbell chimed and the mailman brought me these:

Prior to MACNA, I spotted a contest on Facebook run by Coralvue, the company that now carries Elos products. The contest was simple. Like it and Share the picture with your friends, and a few weeks later I learned that I was one of two winners. Pretty cool prize, since these retail close to $90. Alkalinity, Calcium and Magnesium are important tests for any reefkeeper.
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Yesterday our club held its Summer Social event: two air-conditioned chartered buses drove about 70 members around the metroplex to visit five local sponsors (fish stores). A lot of planning went into the event, and each store prepped for the sudden onslaught of potential customers pouring into their doors at once. I took plenty of pictures and will be sharing an upcoming blog about the entire day in the very near future.

As we left each store, some newly purchased livestock was carefully ...

Iv'e read some comments recently about some concern over stored saltwater and how it may lose its efficacy. I don't know that I can agree with that premise, but I'm not positive what all has been considered in that topic. Years ago, there was a thread discussing what how long experienced hobbyists wait to do a water change after the water has been mixed up, and a large number admitted that they'd use it within 5-15 minutes as well as up to 30 minutes... more than I would have expected.
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Last week when I got back from my trip to Atlanta, my tank sitter told me he was ready for me to get the cyano bacteria situation in my tank under control. I prefer not to treat the tank when I'm about to travel, so I don't put the reef in a bad spot when I'm 1000 miles away for a few days.

When it comes to using a product for this issue, Chemi-Clean has always been the one I've recommended. I've used it countless times with great results. About two years ago or so, a new liquid ...

Tonight once the fish went to sleep, I did a decent water change, changing 50 to 60g worth of saltwater. I didn't measure it, it was dumped down the drain and replenished with more from the saltwater storage vessel. There's about 90g left in it at the moment.

With all of my lights off, I tested Alkalinity. Lately, it seems no matter which direction I face, the lighting from around me and the plant life outside throws off the color of the titration kit, so in a white room with ...