Dawn On The Reef

[BigC]

Hi Guys,
I'm having a bit of trouble (I think) with my RO system (pics later) The problem I think is that it's not producing a steady flow of RO water and an absolute lot of waste. I must surely get a little bit more than a trickle. Its claimed to be a 36 gallon per day system (page 3 of this post) I have set it and re-set the thing and performed all the troubleshooting Q&A's in the manual and all I'm getting is a trickle. Would this be fine on such a small system or should I be getting more output.
Please advise as to how your own systems work and how much production your getting.
Sorry for not keeping up with the journal but I'm getting back into it now, that is once I sort out this problem.
All answers are appreciated.
Regards
BigC

 

[BigC]

Sorry...How bloody stupid of me I failed to reconnect the flow restrictor to the waste side of the system which restricts the waste flow and forms pressure inside the main filter capsule to force the water through the membrane in give me the water that I need. Anyway after all that I'm getting a little bit more value for money.
Stupid Sod....
Regards
BigC

 

[1entra]

Lol least your sorted and back on track now mate. Anyways get some updated pics up once you got your tank filled with water.

 

[littleme1969]

Yup, looking forward to seeing it up and running

 

[BigC]

OK managed to sort out the RO system. LOL and water is being produced as we speak, I've fitted an airpump to the collection barrel to keep the water fresh and also a heater-thermostat to heat it to atound 75'F. As I run the water through the module condensation formed on both the inlet and outlet pipework to a great degree but when I turned the system off this disappeared. I suppose Im just going to have to live with that downside. Anyway I'm pleased with this little unit thus far and it has surpassed all my expectations being such a small kit.
Been to the LFS today, just sussing a few things out (they had some lovely choc clowns, neon gobys and scooter blennys in) got the staff to weigh me a large lump of Liverock so as I could get a visual of how much I would require and at what cost, A good sized lump came in at £40 which wasn't bad and I reckon 3 lumps of that size would suffice with maybe a couple of smaller pieces for filling in. Our LFS sells his corals attached to pieces of LR so I'll have to allow for their positioning.
The water will be in by the weekend and I hope I can talk her round to subbing me for a couple of pieces of rock.

Below is a pic of the RO system in operation (I know its upsidedown ) I need to get the cartridges out for replacement when the time comes, and that was the ony available convenient space hence the mounting. Red line is mains in - Green line is waste out - Blue line is production water. Note ball valves which enable me to shut off the system when production water holding capacity (100ltrs) has been reached.
New pics at the weekend.

Regards
BigC

 

[SkiFletch]

Looks good BigC. Is that flush capability I see with the green hose that's shutoff in the pic? Great call

 

[BigC]

Is that flush capability I see with the green hose that's shutoff in the pic? Great call

Yup!

 

[BigC]

I've finally managed to get off my fat butt and actually get on with this project,
Ok, I'll tell you where I am at the moment.... The tank is filled, substrate is set at around 50mm deep. Powerheads are switched on, External Eheim canister filter with Rowaphos is churning away nicely. Heater is doing its job. I am adding salt and taking readings as I write.
Temperature is at 75'F and I have just mixed in 2.8kgs of salt mix. my refractometer is giving a reading (after calibration) of 1.021 and the pH is 8.4
Am I doing everything right and are the readings OK thus far, please advise.
Anything else need to be done/tested again please advise.

Below is the latest pic of the tank minus the canopy/lights and fans.

I am going to get some Liverock tomorrow lunch time so I should have more pics up tomorrow night (providing I get the water/salt/temp sorted.

Below are pics of some of the instruments and test kit I'll be using, do I need anything over and above what you see.

Refractometer

pH and TDS electronic testers.

Red Sea marine lab test kit. (only because my LFS stocks this)

Should have some more pics up tomorrow evening. Hopefully with canopy/lights and some sort of aquascape. (Liverock)
Regards
BigC

 

[1entra]

Looking good BigC. By the way I would let the tank run for several hours before adding any more salt to the water as there will always be undissolved salt in the water and if you continue to add then when the whole lot had dissolved you may get a higher SG reading then you initially had...

How do you find the electric pH tester? It looks good and I'm thinking about investing in one myself as currently I'm still in the stone ages with my test strips!!!

Anyways looking forward to see how this project comes along.

 

[SkiFletch]

Yup, agree with 1entra. Looks good so far BigC. Btw, even if the sg does not come up its still sufficient to add LR

 

[chrissaysyes]

I still cant get over the rock wall, that's just an obvious and great idea, wish I had thought of it! Im really excited to see where you go with this!

 

[BigC]

Hi Guys.
Well I've got the Liverock in and I'm serching around for some camera batteries as the ones in the camera have died, but before I tear the house apart trying to find replacements a few things to note.
The temperature had increased to 82'F due to the lighting (phew those babys run hot, hope the fans do their job)
Specific gravity has risen to 1.026 as has been pointed out by 1entra. (must bring that down a tad as with the temperature)
pH is 8.2 (approx. a slight increase needed maybe)
The LFS primary stats are SG = 1.022 and Temperature is 26'C (trying to aim for that as most of my livestock will come from that source)
I purchased 8 reasonably sized pieces of rock for £80 (£10 per kilo) I arranged them in an open structure like fashion to allow water flow around and for future coral additions. I do require some more rock (maybe another 6 kilos). The flow around the rock is pretty good but the rock itself is a bit tatty with die off particles blowing heither. There seems to be a lot of this stuff and it is not really pretty at the moment (am I being too critical, is this the norm).
I am trying to get the initial stats such as Temp, pH and SG to where I need them before going on to do more essential water testing.
I have placed the lights on timers
3 tubes (2 x 55w Triplus and 1 x 35w Moonlight)
Moonlight on at 12 noon and off at 11pm
Triplus 1 on at 1pm off at 10pm
Triplus 2 on at 2pm off at 9pm
I hope this setting will suit all inhabitants corals, critters and fish alike.
Please bare with me for the pics.
Regards
BigC

How do you find the electric pH tester?

Yeah 1entra that Pinpoint pH meter is very good. Glad I bought it. I used it for my freshies but I bought some higher calibration fluid and I can now test my marine tank. I would replace the probe every year though. It has a 2 point calibration I use 4 and 7 for the freshwater then I use 7 and 10 for the saltwater. (I use a different probe for each type)

 

[1entra]

Thanks BigC, I may well treat myself to one in the near future!

Just to make you aware a higher SG than 1.022 should be attained if you wish to keep corals in the tank, the lower SG is preffered for fish only or FOWLR tanks! The SG for natural seawater is approx 1.026 and most reef keepers as far as I am aware keep their's between 1.023-1.026 but an average of about 1.024/5. Its just something to note. If you do decide to up your SG, it wont really affect the livestock you buy from your lfs but it may mean you add that extra 20mins or so whilst acclimatising just to be on the safe side! Also if you do decide to raise your SG the best way I find to do so is to let the water continue to evaporate until the desired SG is reached. Then rather than topping up with FW you simply top up using salt already mixed to desired SG!

It may be worthwile now that you got some LR in to check nitrites and ammonia etc to see if the tank has started to cycle or not etc.

Anyways looking forward to some pics...

 

[SkiFletch]

Agree with 1entra. Maybe a salinity of say 1.024 if you're gonna keep corals . Not too far off from the LFS, but still god for keeping corals/inverts. s for the stuff, its normal for LR to flake off some nasty stuff during shipping/curing. Tough to say if yours is a normal or extreme case though without pics

 

[BigC]

Good Evening to you all.
Well its day 3 since everything has been set in motion. Haven't taken any tests as yet (will do later) Managed to get the temperature down to 79'F ish. Is this OK.
The tank did go cloudy for a time when I added the Liverock yesterday but since has cleared to a certain degree. I have also noticed a few hitch-hikers namely small legged animals about 1cm in length, they are finding it hard to settle on anything as they are being blown around in the water currents. At least they have given me an indication that there are no real dead spots where the powerheads and the filter return dont penetrate. The Liverock is fine but I am going to add atleast 4-6 more smallish pieces (around a kilo each) to enhance the look and give it a bit more height. All in all I'm pleased how things are going presently. The heat from the power compacts are my only real concern (might change to regular tubes in the comming months). Anyway that said below are the latest pics.

Upstairs

Downstairs

I will try and get a short video at the weekend to illustrate the dieoff on the Liverock. There is a certain degree of marine algae's present on the rock looks to be three of four different types. some are really pretty and some not so. I'll see what I will do with them as time progresses.
I am in no real hurry to install livestock other than the cleanup crew when the time comes.
What should I be doing now. Do I need to start weekly waterchanges yet what tests should I now be performing and with what frequency should I be performing them (daily, weekly) please advise to all my concerns. Your input is greatly valued.
1entra and Ski I have taken onboard the Specific Gravity data that you both agree on and I will amend my stats to that degree. Many thanks to you both for taking the timeout to educate me.
Regards
BigC

P.s. On posting a video clip, is it similar to posting a pic via Photobucket?