gettareef

Well, since the Holidays are now over I figured I would give an update on some new equipment and coral I got as gifts or purchased myself. Gotta love aquarium related presents!
Here is a list of all the new equipment (pretty long list now that I have typed it out):
BRS Dual DI Canister for RODI
RODI Pressure Gauge x2
Dual TDS Meter x2 for RODI
BRS GFO 1 Gal. 4lbs.
BRS Biopellets 1000mL
Some tube Coral glue
Hanna Calcium Checker
Hanna Phosphate Checker 25 pack Reagents
Hanna Alkalinity Checker 25 pack Reagents
API Test Kit
API Reef Test Kit -
Aqueon Proflux Filter Socks x2
PAR Meter - Milwaukee MW700: Portable Light Intensity/Lux Meter

I was so excited after receiving so many new testing-related items, the next day I decided to test my tank with all of my testing equipment to compare the results. I tested PH, NH4, NO3, NO2, Calcium, Magnesium, Alkalinity, and Phosphate using Salifert tests, Red Sea tests, API tests, and Hanna Checkers (Alk, Calcium, Phosphate). Well, TWO & A HALF hours later (!) I was finished (half way through I started to dread more testing but I was set on finishing what I started). All of my parameters came out spot on which I was happy about except for Magnesium which read 1600+. My Mg level has been near this level for a long time now. Can anyone tell me why it might be this high, any negative consequences due to this, and how to lower it?? For magnesium I only have one test that measures it (Red Sea) which I suppose could be the problem although all other Red Sea tests seem to be working. The most interesting finding from my results, in my opinion, was that all of the API tests were actually very accurate and similar to the results of the big boy tests (and it was quite easy for me to decipher the readings from the color chart…a common complaint I have heard). Of course I cannot conclude the reliability of the API tests as I would need these results repeated several times. I can post my results of all the tests if anyone is interested.

One reason for all the RODI related equipment is due to the poor production of my water from my Water General RD-150 RODI purifier. I really like the unit, and it works well but my city’s water quality (I actually live in a city named Coralville!)is very poor, with a TDS reading between 570-660 from my measurements. My RODI unit contains 1 sediment canister, 2 carbon canisters, membrane, and 2 DI sphere canisters. With the unit and my crappy city water, I would get a reading of zero TDS right after replacing the DI resin but shortly after would be producing water with TDS of around 11 in about a week or so. I finally became fed up and contacted the company to get some advice. The owner of Water General (real nice guy) advised me to get an additional dual DI canister. I got mine from Bulk Reef Supply instead of Water General due to the BRS canisters being full of DI resin whereas the Water General canisters were empty, and both were the same cost. I was very happy to install all of this (2 pressure gauges, 2 dual TDS meters, dual DI canisters). I needed 2 pressure gauges due to the one on my unit not working anymore, and I wanted to install one so I can tell when my filters need replacement. I did not intend to get 2 dual TDS meters, but I received one as a present after I purchased one. Instead of returning it I said what the Hell and installed them to read the incoming water, water after sediment/carbon stages, final purified water after DI stages, and my waste water (no real reason for this but I didn’t have any other place to put it!). I am extremely happy with this install as my water is zero and I am confident it will stay zero for a long time. Here is a picture of everything after installation:


AND FINALLY, saved the best for last……NEW CORAL. I went to a LFS here in a town called North Liberty. The owner, a native of China, is very knowledgeable in marine aquaria and has some really stunning displays as well as rare fish. He also has a 600 gallon tank with 2 large sharks that are very cool…I will take a picture next time I am there and show you guys. It is a very nice store with his wife running a salon next door, and his children or his wife running the store when he is not around. I really trust him as I bought my aquarium/stand through him. I had $100 to spend and knew I wanted coral. As I was looking through the displays his Montipora really stood out. He had huge colonies of purple, red, green, and orange Montis. I told him my spending limit and asked about the Monti. He showed me a very large piece of a purple Monti which I immediately had to get. It is beautiful with a great shape and has white borders all along its outer edges indicating good growth. He also pointed out that it has waving polyp-like things on its body saying that indicated good health. I really like the light purple color and dark purple dots all over. With the coral being 6+ inches, I figured that it would cost me my whole $100 (and I thought that was a steal) but he told me he would sell it for $75. I think this is due to him having so many large Monti’s. For my remaining $25 I told him I really liked these neon green Paly’s he had. He told me he would sell them for $6 a polyp. As we were looking for a good rock with them, he picked one and told me this would do for $25. When I got home I counted 16 polyps on the rock!! I felt this was a very good purchase for $100. After drip acclimating and dipping (which seemed to take forever, I placed them in the tank, gluing on the Monti high up. Here is a few pictures (which do them no justice in regards to their true bright, neon colors):



(sorry for all the blue...was almost lights out)



(AND sorry for the water streak...was in a hurry today)




Thanks for reading, and I hope all of you had a good Holiday as well with some new stuff for your tanks! ~ Dustin