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melev

Final water tests of the year, and an update

Rating: 2 votes, 3.50 average.
While I do tend to test various specific parameters as needed, I've gotten into a bad habit of not doing the full battery of tests regularly this year. Just looking at this chart, I can see just how infrequently I measured using all the kits. Part of the reason is because I don't like finding out what's wrong because then I have to fix it. For 2011 however, I need to work on a better mindset. Rather than fear the worst, I need to get back into the routine of testing to avoid problems.

I have to say, I was amazed at the results I got tonight. What a great way to end the year.

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If you've been following my Facebook updates, I've been collecting RO/DI water in the vertical poly tank. It took 53 hours exactly to accumulate 250g of RO/DI water. It was a slow process but I still enjoyed updating with fresh images from time to time.

Here's the poly tank filled with RO/DI water.


I'm using Sybon Reef Formula salt.


This is what it looks like to add salt. I knew the area was snug, but decided to live with it. I should only have to climb up the ladder twelve times a year.


I added 5 bags of salt tonight and will see what that mixes up to be, but expect to have to add another bag to reach 35ppt / 1.026sg.

The other thing I did tonight was get the tank situated exactly where it needed to be in relation to the walls so the woodwork would fit smoothly, and then used a mixture of warm water and vinegar to clean the entire aquarium inside and out, the black trim, and the powder-coated stand.


It's ready for the sand, at last.

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Categories
Tank Entry , ‎ Water Chemistry

Comments

  1. Mustang's Avatar
    WOOO HOOO Mac your almost there. Maybe Santa and his elf's will do it for you tonight. Have a Merry Christmas all.
  2. Hat39406's Avatar
    Awesome Marc! The fish room looks nice in that last pic. ;-)
  3. mhowe9's Avatar
    Cool Marc, looks like you are almost done!
  4. Robb in Austin's Avatar
    Question: what is your estimate for having the livestock back in and the system up and running; ie a functioning tank but maybe missing the trim or other minor, final details?
  5. agsansoo's Avatar
    What made you decide on that salt mix ?
  6. Jnarowe's Avatar
    Very nice end-of-year tests Marc. But how are the silicates???
    Soo one thing to keep in mind when storing that much purified water, is that it is very unstable, since it has zero buffering capability. The water can actually go "bad" (at least taste-wise) in short order. I have not fully vetted the whole storage dilemma, but it is my hypothesis that circulation and lower temps. seem to help.
  7. melev's Avatar
    Robb - I'd like to transfer my livestock into the aquarium before the end of the year. I don't know if I'll have the new sump built by then, but maybe. I'm toying with the plan to run the plumbing to the current sump so I can get some living & kitchen space back finally.

    Jonathan - Silicates, schmilicates. Regarding the stored water, as long as the container is sealed and has constant circulation, it should be good.

    Agsansoo - I tried some out and liked what I saw, and decided to go with it this time.

    Happy holidays everyone.
  8. Sisterlimonpot's Avatar
    I'd like to transfer my livestock into the aquarium before the end of the year.
    Wow, that's quicker than I thought. Please don't spare one moment to documentation. I have been anxiously waiting for the moment everything's transferred. take lots of pictures.
  9. melev's Avatar
    I'll keep taking pictures of what is happening. Just posted a new blog entry as well as a new front page article here on R.A.