Tank Journal Archive

[mscott]

haha, sorry macca, thats the tank I've downsized too.
Need the anemonie to be sold guys, i dont have the lighting to keep it in tip top shape, or even alive for long.

 

[macca_75]

Best of luck then. Hope you find a home for the BTA

 

[mscott]

okie dokie, pics of the shrunk tank, using the same lights that were on the 3fter, but no lenses, i think it gives it quite a nice look.

 

[mscott]

with thanks to Buddy i have collated a larger range of tests, not the reasults i was hoping.
Phos- 2.5+ on a hanna checker
mag-1500+
kh-11
ph-8.1
calc-500+
salinity-1.034 on a refractometer, my hydrometer was reading 1.028
copper, iodine and silicate all returned 0 readings

 

[macca_75]

Bad params. Just remember the corals are already pretty shocked so nothing drastic. Slow and steady (but constant) changes.

 

[mscott]

true true, will go out and get a couple of buckets tomorrow i think, ill do so plain water changes to start with and sometime, perhaps next week do about a 10L change with ro to bring the salinity down.
Hopeing to get it under control before i go away on the 5th dec, as the fish will get fed, but thats it

 

[Joshwaaaa]

Bring salinity down slowly also. Not just a fresh change.

 

[mscott]

I've done it before with no changes except for the better, did a full 25L change with ro and the tank took it well

 

[macca_75]

You are also going to have to shell out for a couple of accurate testing bits, namely a refractometer, alk and Ca kit (or else how else can you measure the changes and where you are at)?

Phos can probably wait.

Ph is important but should "self adjust" if you get Alk and Ca balanced.

Making changes without measuring is almost as bad as no changes IMO.

 

[Buddy]

Yup the calcium, phosphate and magnesium were out of the range that my hanna and salifert kits could test for. Definately needs some aggressive water changes and I think NSW is the better option. Its cheaper and will slowly bring all the levels back to where they should be. Well now we know why your hammer ejected it self from the skeleton on to the sand! At least the Xenia is loving it haha.

 

[mscott]

yea its odd how the softies are loving it so much

 

[chimaera]

Honestly I would do a 100% water change with NSW. Or just shut the tank down as you seem to be planning anyway ...

 

[Buddy]

Would that shock the tank too much? There is a fish and a few corals in there.

 

[chimaera]

Possibly ... but they are living in toxic waste right now so I can't imagine it would be worse.

 

[mscott]

thats true

 

[Buddy]

I still think slower changes would be better than one big shock.

 

[mscott]

i was actually thinking 25-50 L at a time, which would be 50-80% changes

 

[macca_75]

Stick with no more than 25% changes IMO, but you can do them either daily or every second day. If you shock the corals, you will probably lose most of them. Nothing good ever happens fast.

And they aren't in Toxic conditions, just far less than ideal. There is nothing toxic or deadly, you just need to gets the levels back to where they should be..

Pull 25% out, put about 15% NSW and 10% RO back in.

Check the levels.

Repeat the process every day or every second day. Things will be back to where they should be within a week or 2 at most.

Whatever you do, good luck.

 

[mscott]

Ok guys, after discussing with the missus, the best course of action is to sell up.
If I can get the right price I will start afresh in 2x2x2.
Looking to keep the lights only off this tank.
Thanks guys

 

[mscott]

well now, im getting a 2x2x2 with sump and ready to go this comming weekend, hopefully it all goes smoothly and works well when i get the chance to set it up