Water Chemistry

After months of raging the war on nitrates I decided to dosome major updates to my sump area. First was a new sump and stand to put iton. The sump I had just didn't allow for expansion and the stand wasn't makingthe grade either. Here is a shot of the old set up I should note that this asits in my basement tank room as the wife calls it.


The stand was replace with a powder coated steel stand andsome composite shelves. ...

December 2010- My losing battle with Nitrate reaches an all time high, at an excess of 80ppm. An executive decision is made, and a spare phosban reactor is commissioned to begin running two little fishies npx pellets.
February 2011- Nitrates retreat to 20ppm, but not without taking its toll. In an event forever to be known as the St. Valentines Day Massacre, the reef begins a trend of sudden death starting at 1 am, ending at 5 am. Casualties include all mollusk life, one fish, and multiple ...

Today was catch up on everything that needed doing. Had to get a sump built, fix my darn sprinklers, get a frag into an Interceptor bath, clean the skimmer and do all my water tests. The tank is doing very well, numbers-wise:



I tested Magnesium with my Salifert kit, but also did a test with a borrowed Red Sea Reef Foundation kit that Wes lent me. It still reads way too high (1600ppm), even with his kit. I'm going ...

Water Quality Log

I thought I would keep an active log to share with everyone concerning my water quality test. It will be updated weekly. The water changes that I conduct are minuscule (approximately 0.25 gallon per week). I personally don't agree with extremely large water changes because I feel that just when you have all your parameters correct then BAM water change throws everything off. This is just my thinking.

Aquarium Water Quality Testing Results.
...

Octopus Super Reef LX1000s Hang On Back Protein Skimmer

So I am now considering purchasing the Octopus Super Reef LX1000s Protein Skimmer for my 10 gallon aquarium to replace my Seaclone 100 Protein Skimmer. I am curious to know if anyone currently owns this Protein Skimmer and could give me their own personal reviews regarding it. I have seen some videos on youtube and my primary reason for wanting this is because of the Hang On Back design and the Bubble Blaster Pump. So any ...