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Djm

New tank set up...Still.

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5 Comments
by
Djm
, 04-10-2011 at 10:26 AM (1187 Views)
I have had my 220 up and cycled for about 2.5 months now... I have 200 lbs of live rock and a 125 gallon sump system. Using a dual over flow running one side to the fuge 3"(sand bed) the other to an INS 450 reef dynamics skimmer. Middle return overflow. (I prefer middle for return...) calcium reactor, as well as a sulfur reactor... My tank specs were perfect up until last week. My calcium levels went from 450 to 550 ... My question is that i have only a couple nasarius snails and 3 pistol shrimp... In the main tank that holds a 3 inch sand bed... I do not have any fish yet or corals due to back order of the 20k evolution hybrid leds... Why the spike in calcium? Please help...

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Updated 04-10-2011 at 10:38 AM by melev

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‎ Questions - Need some input

Comments

  1. melev's Avatar
    You said live rock, but is it live or is it home-made base rock?

    Check your calcium reactor carefully. Has the effluent increased?

    What is the alkalinity level? And did you test calcium twice?
  2. Neelixx's Avatar
    Could it be that the coralline or snails slowed it's growth, and not using up the supplmented calcium? Maybe decrease your calcium dosage a bit? I don't have any experience with Calcium dosing yet, but am doing research for my next tank.
  3. Djm's Avatar
    The live rock was in my old tank... I moved and washed/scrubbed all the rock and kept out of light for 1 month... Then added to my new tank to cycle... There is no new growth on the rock due to no lighting as of yet.
  4. Djm's Avatar
    Alk is fine.
  5. melev's Avatar
    Fine as in what? What's the number?

    For now, turn off the flow going to your calcium reactor, but keep the circulation pump running. Close the valve to the CO2 tank and for the next few days just test daily for Alk and Calcium. Once the numbers are back in line, you can get the calcium reactor back online. My own tank is barely 2 months old, and I had to dial mine way back to get the numbers I needed without overdosing. It was tricky finding that spot since I was used to a full blown reef. I have the pH controller set to 7.4 instead of 6.5 to lessen how much of the media dissolves, and the output is much slower than previously.